Page 75 of Caught By A Cowboy

“What ishedoing here? I told you he was not?—”

“I’d prefer it if you could address me like I’m in the room, ma’am.” The outrage on her face is almost comical when I cut her off.

“Now, I’ll make this quick for us all. I know that what ya see here in front of ya ain’t what you wanted for your daughter but I’ve still come here today to stand in front of you both and ask, like a man, if I can get your blessing to marry her.” I look between them and wait for a response.

“And what if I said no?” her father tests me.

“Well, then I’m gonna head on home and marry her, anyway.”

I’ll admit, I’m surprised by the smile he makes and I guess Mary is too judging by the daggers she gives him.

“Roger, did you hear what he just said?”

“Yes, Mary, I heard him.” He stands up and rounds his desk so he can step toward me.

“Do you love her?” he asks, standing in front of me and holding my eyes with his.

“More than I ever thought possible,” I answer his question without hesitation.

“Roger…Roger?” Mary whines

“Oh, will you shut up?” He shocks the hell out of me when he turns to look at his wife. “You can’t control her, Mary. Look what happened when you tried that before.” I watch her back down and realize how disappointed they both look in themselves.

“This man is the man she’s chosen, and I’m trusting my daughter's judgment.” He holds out his hand to me, and I shake it firmly before we both look toward Maddison’s mother.

“Tomorrow’s her due date, I bet she could really use her mom, right now.” I smile at her, taking my phone from my pocket and bringing up the photo I took of her standing out on the porch a few days ago. I smile to myself proudly as I show it to her. “See how beautiful she looks? She’s doing so well.”

“She looks…happy.” Her mom sounds surprised as her eyes fill with tears and she stares at the picture of her daughter.

“She does, and I can assure ya both that my intention will always be to keep it that way. Don’t miss out on this, not because of me. You don’t have to like me Mrs MacKenzie but be there for her.” I let her hear how desperate I am.

“Okay,” she whispers, taking another look at the picture before she hands my phone back to me.

“Good because the wedding’s tomorrow and she needs you both there.” I slide it back into my pocket as her mouth drops open.

“Tomorrow? But we have no time to prepare, didn’t you say her due date was tomorrow?”

“It is, which is why we need to hurry things along. I gotta head back. I got the mayor waiting in his chopper to take me home. I’ll see ya at the ranch, wedding starts at one.” I rush for the door.

“The mayor?” Mary looks stunned. “Mr Sullivan,” she calls after me before I make it out. “Are you always so…persuasive?” she asks, trying to find a kind way to put it.

“I do my best, ma’am.” I tip the front of my hat at her. “And you should call me Jace. We’re family now.” I wink as I rush back out to the cab that’s waiting outside. I need to get back to the hangar where Eli is waiting so he can fly me back to my girl.

MADDISON

“Are you getting another one?” Isabel looks concerned as she watches me blow out a long, heavy breath.

“They’re not real contractions, they're too irregular. I get these from time to time.” I slide into my cowgirl boots and use Kendra's arm to steady myself as I stand. “How do I look?” I take a glance at myself in the mirror and smile. This is nothing how I envisioned looking on my wedding day, but Jace was right about us being married before the baby comes. It just feels right.

“You look like you're ready to pop,” Isabel warns me. “Seriously, Maddison, do you think I should go out to the barn and get Dr West? He’s already here.”

“Of course, you’d want to fetch the doc.” Taylor finishes applying her lipstick and fluffs up her hair. “Relax, she told you she’s fine, it’s just those Braxton-whatcha-contractions, all pregnant women get ‘em.”

“On their due date?” Isabel doesn't look convinced.

“Don’t panic, I’ve spent the last few months hearing people tell me how first babies are always late, and that giving birth for the first time can take days. This little guy is going nowhere.” I stroke my stomach and try not to pull a face when I feel it tighten, again.

“Is the bride ready?” My mom steps into the room carrying a glass of champagne and wearing a proud smile.

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