Page 87 of Training the Heart

CeCe spins around, looking for Nash in our small group, her eyes narrowed like she’s on a mission to set him straight. Nash raises his hands to her before she can speak.

“He’s just kidding, baby, the gift table looks perfect where it is. I’d never dream of moving it,” Nash says quickly, cuffing Cole around the back of his head as Cole laughs. “You trying to put me in the shit house? Fuck.”

“Should’ve eloped,” Cole retorts.

The doorbell rings, and CeCe smiles wide as she makes her way over to us to shoo the boys out. She’s the picture of grace in a white, linen dress that reaches the floor. It’s strapless, elegant and flowy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so beautiful. The rest of us are wearing soft pastel colors as requested.

“That’s our cue to go meet Wade,” Nash says as he pulls CeCe close and kisses the top of her head, muttering something the rest of us can’t hear. The look in his eyes is intentional and full of so much love.

“It’s time! Let’s go, girls!” Jo says like she’s Shania herself, as she cocks a hip and raises her arms up before she lets in the first guests.

“Don’t forget to make sure you’re back at three-ish,” CeCe instructs Nash and Cole in a voice that saysdon’t mess with the bride.

“Around when? Seven? I got it,” Cole says without missing a beat, as Ginger grabs his hat off the sofa and stuffs it into his chest.

“Stop trying to wake the matrimonial beast and do as you’re told,” she scolds.

“You need to let out some aggression, Vixen? Where are your manners?” Cole chuckles.

Ginger gives him a look ofyou’re done foras he pulls one of her long curls then puts on his baseball hat. He acts cocky, but something tells me he knows he could never take her on.

My phone lights up in my hand with Wade’s name.

CHIEF

Five hours to go until I get you alone, the day isn’t the same without you Trouble.

Ginger scoffs from beside me when she sees it and my smile, her chocolate-colored eyes dancing with our secret.

“My only question is, why? We all know. We’re all adults here.” She nudges me and looks at me expectantly. There’s no arguing with her that Wade and I definitely have something serious happening.

“It’s not a secret, I just think it’s almost like if we have the talk, it’s real, and then he takes the risk of putting his heart out there, if that makes sense? And Wade’s just private. I think we were just both planning on … having fun, and now … I don’t know what we are. I don’t know what to tell you.”

Ginger’s giggle is contagious, and I have no choice but to smile back.

“Listen, Janelle did a number on him, hurt him and left him when he needed her most,” Ginger admits.

I nod. “I know the feeling, maybe that’s why I haven’t forced the talk either,” I say honestly.

“He is private, always has been, but the way he looks at you … the way you look at him … Gawd … it has to be hot. Tell me it is?” she asks as she grins.

I smile back, loving the way that I can actually speak freely about him to someone.

“The hottest fucking thing ever. Wade is … fuck … I have no words,” I gush.

Ginger squeals and then leans in, whispering, “I knew it. Goddamn, I knew Wade was a freak under that serious mask he wears. Don’t you know? There’s an old wives’ tale that says once a girl has a bossy rancher, no other kind of man will do?”

I laugh. “I am starting to believe that.”

“Look, maybe a couple of months ago you were having fun, and now that you’ve had that fun, I think you have to talk about it. Wade Ashby isn’t the ‘let people in’ type of guy, so if you’re in his inner circle, I would plan to stick around for a while. In other words, that man is not letting you leave this ranch.”

I sigh—it feels so fucking good to be honest.

“I would love to stay. In fact, I’m dreading leaving. Once we get Angel’s nomination squared away, maybe then we’ll talk. I want to, I just, fuck, how do you even start that conversation?”

Ginger blows out a deep breath “You need a girls’ day. When do you leave for Florida to get Angel’s gate card?

“A week from now, next Wednesday,” I breathe out in a sigh.

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