Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 424(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 283(@300wpm)
“We don’t want to waste another minute of this life. You might think it’s too soon, Mom, but I never stopped loving Ensley once in the last ten years.”
“And I never stopped loving Colt. As he said, we don’t want to waste another moment. Life is too short.”
“Yes, we’ve both changed, but our love for each other hasn’t.”
Vivianne stood and made her way over to us, reaching down for Ensley, who took her hand and stood.
“The only thing we care about is your happiness.” She looked down at me. “Both of you. If this is something you feel like you’re ready to do, we support you one-hundred percent.”
“Of course we do,” my mother added, joining them. I stood and hugged her. “I just want you both to be happy, as Vivianne said.”
Kissing her on the cheek, I replied, “Thank you, Mom.”
Vivianne took a step back and grinned. “Have you thought about a date?”
Ensley beamed. “Well, we were thinking of a spring wedding. Nothing big, just family, and we’d like to get married at the tree, like you and Dad did.”
Vivianne’s eyes filled with tears. “I think that’s a beautiful idea.”
Ensley and her mother hugged while Ladd quickly joined them. My father approached and held his hand out for mine.
“Congratulations, Colt. It truly feels like a new beginning for all of us.”
Mom nodded and leaned against my father. “It does.”
I hugged both of them. “I’m so sorry I was gone for so long.”
Holding up her hand, Mom said, “No more living in the past. We have a beautiful future to look forward to.”
Vivianne smiled as she said, “Is it too soon to start planning the wedding?”
“Yes, Mom. It’s going to be simple. Nothing big or fancy. Small.”
Nodding, Vivianne replied, “Got it. Small.”
Turning to my mother, Vivianne locked arms with her and the two women started walking toward the kitchen. “There’s so much to plan!” we heard Vivianne say. “Flowers, food. Backup plan in case it rains.”
“Reception inside or out?” my mother asked.
“Yes, we’ll need to think about that, as well.”
As the two of them walked away, I glanced at Ensley, who was scowling in her mom’s direction.
Ladd cleared his throat, obviously trying not to laugh. “I think now would be a great time to mention we got a new horse.”
And just like that, Ensley’s attention was on her father. “A new horse?”
He shot me a quick look, and I smiled. Anyone who knew Ensley knew that the easiest way to divert her attention was to mention anything about horses.
“Yes. We can take the side-by-side and go see it.”
“Count me in,” my father said.
Ensley turned to me, eyes filled with excitement. “You coming?”
“Heck yeah.”
And just like that, Ensley forgot all about our mothers, who had their heads together plotting the perfect small wedding.
The light knock on my office door had me lifting my head and smiling the moment I saw Ensley. Even though it was Christmas Eve, I had to finish up a few things before we headed to her parents. She stood there looking like an angel from above. Her blonde hair was pulled up, with curls piling on top of her head, a few hanging down around her face. She wore a white chiffon top and red pants, a white coat slung over her arm. She looked stunning. Even more beautiful than when I’d seen her earlier that day.
“Wow, you look beautiful.”
She let her eyes roam over me as she took in my black cowboy boots, black jeans, red sweater, and black cowboy hat.
“And you look handsome as all get out. I like that sweater.”
Glancing down, I grinned. “You should, you laid it out for me to wear.”
Laughing, she walked into the office, set her coat down on the chair, wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me.
“I missed you.”
“It’s only been a few hours since I saw you last.”
She sighed. “Yes, that’s true, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about the way you woke me up this morning.”
Smiling at her, I waggled my brows. “We have time for a repeat.”
Acting shocked by my suggestion, she playfully hit me on the chest. “Colt Owens! We are in your family barn.”
Tightening my arms around her, I replied, “And we’re the only ones here. If you remember correctly, my mother and father went on a cruise. They were so bummed they missed the one with Gus and Nellie.”
“But my hair is all pretty, and look at my outfit.”
I let my eyes take her in slowly. “You do look gorgeous.”
“Save it for tonight?”
Letting out an exaggerated sigh, I said, “Fine. Are we staying at your place tonight?”
She nodded and smoothed her hands up my chest. “I assumed. You’ve been there every night. Do you think we should talk about whether you want to move in with me?”
I tilted my head in surprise. “Move in with you?”