Page 6 of Wife Wanted

"Done. Are you willing to do this with me?"

Taking a deep breath I let it out slowly. "If you are, I am. For better or worse."

He reaches forward, shaking my hand. "Great to meet you, Mrs. Colter."

I give him a smile, but inside I know I've completely lost my mind.

CHAPTER FIVE

Shane

The matte black circle of titanium around my ringer finger on my left hand is jarring. I see it at odd times, like right now when I'm typing in the driver's license of a speeding teenager. Two weeks we've been married, Courtney and I. It's been easier than I thought, but mostly because I've been working so much overtime. The kid I pulled over doesn't have any other infractions or warrants. Writing the warning, I step out of my SUV and head to the driver's side.

"I'm giving you a warning, Teddy, but you've got to slow down. Next time you'll get a ticket, and you'll get points off your license. Got it?" I went to high-school with Teddy's dad, and it's reminding me how much further in life other people my age are.

"Thank you, Sir. I promise I'll slow down." He swallows so hard I can see his Adam's apple move up and down.

"Be sure that you do." I tap his door and head back to my SUV.

When I slide into the driver's seat, I glance at the clock. I have five minutes until I can go off-shift. Since I'm about that far from home, I go in that direction, praying that there isn't a call to keep me later than normal. Courtney has really been saving the day, and I never expected her to be in this situation when I asked her to marry me, but so far, we seem to be working well together.

I drive slowly, and when I pull into the driveway, I'm able to radio dispatch and let them know to show me off-shift. Getting out of the SUV, I realize I've worked almost sixty hours this week. Thank God I'm off the next three days. Not only do I need the time off just to recover, but I can't wait to spend time with my new family.

I'm dragging ass as I walk toward the back door. Entering I'm assaulted with the best food I've smelled in what feels like years. Immediately my stomach growls and I close my eyes, rocking back on my heels. "What are you cooking? I want three helpings, now." I groan, looking over at Courtney, who's standing at the stove.

She laughs deep in her throat. "Fried chicken, mac and cheese, and some corn bread. I had a craving and knew I wouldn't be happy until I had it. I hope you like fattening food, we're about to gorge on it."

"I do. Haven't had it in forever, but I am ready. How much longer do I have before it's time to eat?"

She sets a lid on the pan. "Twenty minutes, and I can hold it if you need a little more time. Rachel's already down."

I hate that. I'm missing out on some of the biggest parts of her life because I'm working so much. It's one of the reasons I had come to the conclusion I wouldn't be having kids of my own. But I guess God throws you curve balls when you least expect it. I take the quickest shower I can, and get dressed, before heading out to the kitchen.

"That was quick." Courtney grins as she sets some plates on the table. "I went ahead and got it ready for ya."

I've never had this with anyone I've been with, and while I thought it would be weird, I'm thankful for her. It makes me feel appreciated and cared for, in a way I never thought I would. "Thank you, I appreciate this so much."

"You're welcome. I appreciate how hard you work."

I take a bite of the fried chicken, and I swear to God my eyes roll in the back of my head. "That's the best thing I've eaten in years. Please don't tell my mom I said that."

She laughs, holding her hand in front of her mouth. "It'll be our little secret."

Something about those words warm my chest. I may have not wanted to be committed, but I've always wanted to feel a part of a relationship, wanted someone who would be my partner, but I never really knew what that looked like. I'm getting a better idea, especially after the last few weeks with Courtney. Routine is becoming my best friend, and while that at one time had been scary, it's familiar, and I like it a lot.

We're quiet as we finish our dinner, and when I sit back, resting my hands on my stomach, I give a satisfied sigh. "That was really good." She hums an agreement in the back of her throat. "I don't normally have time for this because I'm getting home so late, but do you want to go sit on the back porch and have a drink together?"

She rolls her lips together, tilting her head to the side. We haven't spent much time together, right now she's still sleeping in the guest room. "I have some work I should be doing, but we're gonna have to learn to be married to one another."

"I won't keep you any longer than necessary for us to have a conversation. I know you probably aren't getting much work done while you're here with Rachel on your own. There's no way I could've predicted we'd be going on overtime the way we have." I apologize. "I feel awful about it."

"It's okay, believe it or not, I understand. I dated an EMT a few years ago. My first real adult relationship you could say. His hours were really bad, and we could never plan anything. I was alone a lot, and because I was eighteen years old, it didn't appeal to me. Back then, I wanted someone who was able to go out all the time." She picks up our plates and takes them to the sink. "You were one of my top choices because I knew you'd be busy, I was afraid maybe we wouldn't like each other and I didn't want to be constantly stuck with you." She grimaces.

I grab at my chest. "Ouch. Way to go straight to the heart."

"I'm being honest. I have to say though, everything I know about you so far, I like. You're a good dad, seem to be a good man. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry you." She shrugs. "But I'm glad you and I are going to get to spend some time together tonight. It's just like any other new relationship right? We've got to learn all the things about one another."

"That we do, and I've always thought the best way to do that is to spend some time on the back porch with a beer, and a fire in the solo stove. It's my favorite thing, no matter how hot or cold it is." I stand up from the chair, and go over to the fridge. "What would you like to drink?"

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