Page 86 of Training the Heart

Strong, warm arms wrap around my waist, pulling me close, my back to his front. I open one eye; it’s dark out still. I peer at the clock that tells me what I already know. It’s after 4:30 and Wade is pulling me close to say his usual good morning. The scruff of his jaw kisses through my hair onto my shoulder, and goosebumps follow in the wake of his lips.

“Fuck, I wish I hadn’t set the time so early to be there,” he groans into my skin, and I smile. Wade’s voice is always devastatingly deep and sexy, but in the morning? God, it’s on a whole other level.

“You sleep another hour. I’m meeting Dusty and Brent to unload,” he tells me.

Thank God. He’s wearing me out these days, I’ve never been one to sleep in but lately I’m stealing any extra sleep I can.

I know he’s having a huge fence delivery today to start replacing a large section on the property, and I can easily sneak another hour of sleep in.

I settle my naked skin against him and sigh, my eyes still closed.

“I thought you had no time for that this morning, Mr. Ashby?” I mutter, feeling him hard and pressing against me.

“Fuck … I don’t. And today, it’s going to be a long-ass day without you,” he grumbles into my skin. It’s out of the ordinary; we aren’t usually apart for more than thirty minutes on any given day.

“Mmhmm,” I hum into my pillow. Wade’s bed might be the biggest most comfortable bed on earth, always smelling as delicious as he does.

“I am going to get through everything this morning to meet the boys at noon for ax throwing,” he tells me.

I nod, still sleepy.

Christmas may be over but it seems there is always something to celebrate on this ranch. Today is CeCe’s bridal shower, and I’m surprised they haven’t shut the whole town down for it. Wade is meeting Nash and Cole later, and I have my own tasks with Rowan and Angel before heading to the big house for the party.

I rock my ass against him, suddenly feeling a little more awake.

Wade groans into my shoulder as he peppers it with kisses. These are my favorite moments, before the sun is up, cradled in his strong arms, and my heart aches with the feelings that overwhelm me daily. The constant question ofhow long will I have this for?

A light tap comes down on my ass cheek as he grunts.

“Have to be there by five, Trouble, and you know it. Stop being a little brat or you’ll be paying for it later.” I feel him slide out of bed with a final kiss on my shoulder.

“Can’t fucking wait, Chief,” I mutter.

I listen to the comforting sounds of Wade moving around the cabin, and when the front door closes, I hear the sound of my coffee brewing as I let sleep take me for another thirty minutes.

“What time is too early for mimosas? I mean, it is a bridal shower and I’m still single, so I figure now?” Olivia asks, and shrugs as she considers cracking open a bottle of Moët and Chandon mid-morning.

Ginger swipes the bottle from Olivia’s hand and giggles as she passes it behind her to Cole, then straightens out her maid-of-honor floral pin above her left breast.

Cole blurts out, “Now’s a bit early,” at the same time Ginger says, “Never too early.”

I grin and watch the two of them lock eyes for all of one second before Cole grimaces at her, but he begins untwisting the wire around the bottle anyway. Ginger’s either really good at pretending she doesn’t notice the way he looks at her, or she’s truly oblivious.

“Just need you to use a little muscle before you go, baby.” Ginger smiles sweetly.

Cole’s grimace dies as he continues to work on the cap for her. She’s just really good at pretending, I decide.

The faint slow pop from the champagne echoes in the big house living room, which has been turned into a sort of whimsical, rustic lounge for CeCe’s winter-themed bridal shower. White flowers are everywhere, and comfortable pastel lilac and muted mint chairs are placed throughout; twine lanterns grace every flat surface with flickering flameless candles even though it’s only 11:30 a.m.

CeCe is checking on every single detail with Jo, both of them moving in sync together, laughing and chatting as they straighten out every glass and ensure the dessert bar is laid out perfectly. Spicer’s Sweets has outdone themselves. Cupcakes and cakepops line the table, chocolate-covered fruit and cookies are abundant. Everything is a picture of simple, rustic perfection.

“She’s the easiest bride on earth to stand up for because she insists on planning everything herself.” Olivia leans into me and giggles as Nash gulps beside her.

“This is just the beginning, my friend.” Cole smirks at Nash as he passes Ginger back the open bottle. “You’re just along for the ride, bud. Watch this.”

Nash’s eyes widen like he’s truly a little afraid of what Cole will do.

“Nash doesn’t like where you’ve placed the gift table, he thinks it should be closer to the window, so we’ll just go ahead and move it?” Cole asks CeCe as he chuckles.

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