Page 69 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

Clint placed a finger on her lips. He deserved an ass-kicking for making her feel this way. “I want what makes you happy. I will admit, I was surprised that you wanted a big, church wedding. But I’m happy when you’re happy. I was just venting because I hate ties.”

“Ties?”

He nodded. “Ties.”

“You don’t have to wear a tie.”

“But that’s what you want.”

She shook her head. “I used to dream of my wedding when I was a kid. I would dream up a fantasy because my homelife was so crap. I guess I also thought that a big wedding might make up for the fact that I don’t have any family here. But I don’t want it if you won’t enjoy it. I would never force anything on you, Clint.”

Fuck. It was official. He was a jerk.

He cupped her face between his hands. “Listen to me. All I want in this life is for the people I love to be happy and safe. This is what you dreamed of so it’s what you’re gonna get. And I’ll get what I always wanted. You, tied to me forever. I get to put a ring on your finger and ensure that everyone knows you’re mine. I’m a demanding bastard. I know that. I get my way in most things. I want you to have your every desire, little darling.”

“Don’t wear the tie,” she whispered. “Please.”

“All right. No tie. See, done. Perfect.”

“Really?” she whispered. “Are you sure?”

He leaned in and kissed her. Then he moved his hands away from her face. “I’m sure.”

After studying him for a moment, she let out a deep breath, nodding. Relief filled him.

She chewed her lip, looking worried again. “Except how can I get everything done if I’m stuck here in bed for a couple of days?”

Looking at her pale cheeks and listening to her husky voice that told him her throat was feeling sore, he thought it would likely be longer.

“I told you, I’m going to do it all.”

“But you have enough to do.”

“Then I’ll rope in some help. I’ll go get a pen and paper and you can write down everything that needs doing.”

She gave him a skeptical look.

“I can do this. I’ll take care of the wedding. And I’ll take care of you as well. That’s my job, little darling.”

4

Clint clapped his hands, looking around at the men in his office. Bear stood by the door, silently watching over everyone. Kent, Zeke and Macca were sitting, talking. Jed leaned against the wall to his right. Bain was scowling as he stared down at his phone, tapping away.

Zeke, Jed, Macca and Bain all worked for JSI, while Bear worked on the ranch. But he considered them all to be family.

This was everyone who had been available to help on short notice, but he thought it would be enough. How hard could it be, getting all this stuff done?

“Now that we’re all here, let’s get on with this.”

The door opened and Doc and Archer stepped in. That surprised him, usually one of them was always with Caley.

Plus, Doc wasn’t exactly the helpful type.

Doc nodded to everyone as he walked up and handed Clint a paper bag. “Here’s the vitamins and a bottle of that nutritional shake I was talking about. Is she sleeping?”

Clint nodded, taking a quick look at the baby monitor. He’d fed her a late lunch then waited until she’d fallen asleep before calling everyone to meet with him.

“So what’s going on?” Archer asked. He was new to the ranch. A head doc. Clint had rolled his eyes when Kent said he was hiring him. What the hell did they need with a shrink? But he seemed to be an okay guy. So long as he didn’t get into Clint’s head.

---