Page 28 of In Love with a Ranger

“What did you sacrifice?”

“Too many years in Afghanistan,” Houghton said quietly, not looking away from him. “We’ve always wanted a ranch, and Jill stumbled across this property that had come up for sale. We had the down payment but couldn’t make the payments unless I went to a warzone for hazardous duty pay to bump my check – so I did. I stayed there until we paid off the ranch, and the moment the bank cashed the last check, I came home,” he said candidly. “I came home to pick up where my life paused. This was her dream, so I made it ours.”

Gideon swallowed, recognizing the depth of this man’s sacrifice for his wife – and was quite aware that she probably had no clue as to what a toll that was on him. Afghanistan wasn’t an easy deployment. He spent two hellish years there and wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

“So, let me ask you again,” Houghton said heavily. “I know your sister, know of your family and know this isn’t some whim. Can you put Christina’s wants and needs before your own for her happiness?”

He thought of their conversation, his promises to her. They were tethering themselves together but under her terms. She would decide what was best for them as a couple, decide if he ever got to touch her, and would decide if they had children someday. If she wanted to start her practice somewhere, he would follow, supporting her fully.

His own life was floundering like a fish on the bank of a river, desperately trying to make its way back into the water. He had no job, no career, no sense of self – but hanging onto something ‘good’ was tangible, and he desperately needed that to keep from spiraling mentally downward. Was it selfish? Sure, but he never hid that from her, either.

Gideon needed Christina – so yes, he was willing to do anything she wanted to feel complete, happy, and whole. Looking at Houghton, he started to speak only when the man held up his hand once more, smiling.

“The only person that needs your answer is Chris.”

And turned away, walking off.

* * *

Twenty minutes later, in the early hours of the morning, Gideon handed Christina the keys to the truck as they made their way silently toward the vehicle. It had been her idea to marry this morning so they could both get some rest this evening, which sounded ironic and pathetically sad to him. In his mind, if he ever married, there would have been some grand honeymoon full of passionate lovemaking in some tropical location. ‘Sexless in Wyoming’ was not anywhere on his list – yet here he was, willingly.

Christina hopped in the driver’s seat. He climbed in the passenger side, moving and angling his crutches to allow them in the footwell, propped against his cast. She started the truck, put it in reverse, and threw her arm over the bench seat, looking behind them with practiced ease as she backed out of the driveway, only to pause at the edge of the road.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Are you having any doubts?”

“No. I just wanted to make sure one last time before we drove into town.”

And with that, Christina backed onto the road that was empty except for a set of headlights in the remote distance and headed their way. She turned the truck slightly, giving it gas, and pulled into the lane correctly before speeding up fully. Neither said another word during the drive in, and honestly, he didn’t feel like it was necessary.

There was a peace and comfort in the shared silence that was strangely comforting. The sun was rising in the distance, casting a pink haze across the sky as it rose. All of the darkness and shadows slowly became dark outlines of trees before lightening into greenery. It was like the world before them was blooming, opening, awakening to say ‘hello’ to the soon-to-be couple.

Pulling into a parking spot, Christina turned off the truck and hesitated, looking at him. Her eyes looked worried; there was a pinch between her brows, and even her lips were pursed slightly. She shook her head and removed the keys from the ignition, moving to open the door when he stopped her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Doesn’t this feel weird?”

“Weird, how?”

“You’re going to think I’m being stupid…”

“I sincerely doubt that,” he retorted, not bothering to hold back – and was surprised to see the corner of her lip turn upward as she sighed. “Tell me what’s on your mind… please?”

“We’re doing the whole ‘friends’ thing, right?”

“Yes.”

“You know that when the ceremony is over, they are going to have you kiss the bride,” she said quietly, looking at him with concern again. “Are we going to have a problem kissing each other?”

Heck no! he wanted to scream aloud – and instead caught his breath, waiting and marveling at the way her mind worked. He was more concerned about not having a wedding ring for her, but assumed he would make up for it when he had a chance. but she was thinking about kissing?

“I think we’ll be fine,” he said, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice. “But we can practice for a second, if you want, just so we look like we both know what we are doing before the magistrate.”

“That’s a really good idea.”

“It is?” he blurted out and then laughed, hoping she didn’t catch his slip. “I think it was your idea in a fashion, but you are probably right. We don’t want anyone to catch on that this is different.”

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