Page 21 of Rope Me

I glance around the living room, taking in the decorations. Balloons bob gently against the ceiling. A lopsided banner readsHAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIDY/MOMand stretches across the doorway. Connor insisted we include both names and there’s something so perfectlyConnorabout it. This is Cassidy’s first birthday as my wife and I’m determined not to mess it up.

Our dining table is set. Patty June’s famous cake takes center stage thank god. There isn’t a person on the planet who wants to eat a cake I bake. It sure as hell wouldn’t look anything like the thick, chocolate-frosted masterpiece in front of me. Everythingis in place and it feels good to take care of the woman who makes my world go around.

I nod approvingly at my partner-in-crime. “Connor, my man, it’s looking top-notch in here.”

He grins, braces flashing. “Yeah, she’s gonna cry.”

I swallow hard. “Let’s hope not.” Because if she does, I’m done for.

I’ve somehow gotten worse since the wedding. Seeing her float toward me in the white dress sent me into overdrive. Seeing Cassidy tear up does something to my insides. It twists me up in ways I don’t know how to handle… A fact that amuses my brothers to no end.

Dolly and Jolene weave between my boots, yipping like tiny drill sergeants herding me into submission. I swear, those little demons have taken years off my life, tripping me up every damn day. And yet, even they’re starting to grow on me.

I hear tires rattle up the drive followed by a furious BWAAAHHK!

Before I can get to the front door there’s a yelp. Then a thud.

I sigh. “Damn it. Choke’s at it again.”

Connor chuckles. “Come on, he’s just doing his job.”

“His job is going to ruin your mom’s party.”

I yank open the front door and Choke, our own personal attack rooster is puffed up. He’s looking every bit like the feathery bouncer from hell he is. His wings are flared and his beady eyes are locked on his prey.

Flat on his ass in the dirt, a bewildered delivery guy blinks up at me. His face is pale. His hands still clutch an overturned bouquet. Crushed petals scatter around him like battlefield carnage. This is exactly what happens when your dumbass brothers mow the wrong field, and you have to call a florist even though you live on a farm that produces flowers.

“You okay, man?” I ask, offering a hand.

He hesitates before gripping my wrist and letting me haul him upright. “Uh… I’ve got flowers for Cassidy?” His voice wobbles, his gaze darting between me and the still-fluffing Choke.

I sigh. “Choke, stand down.”

Choke does not stand down. If anything, he squares up likeI’mnext on his hit list. I’d like to see him try. But the flap of a wing is enough for the delivery guy and he panics. The bouquet gets shoved at me like a man making a hostage exchange before he bolts for his truck.

Connor watches no less than twenty YouTube videos and somehow turns the smashed flowers into an arrangement that looks halfway decent. I didn’t have a vase, but I have the Kingwood Cup and there isn’t a piece of glassware more valuable. The old beer stein passes back and forth between my brothers and me as a prize for winning game night. I kicked their asses in horseshoes last Sunday and for now, it’s mine. Using it to display Cassidy’s flowers feels right.

Ten minutes later, the front door creaks open.

“Mom! Happy birthday!” Connor launches himself at Cassidy before she can even step inside, wrapping his arms around her waist.

She laughs, hugging him tight. “Aw, thank you, baby.” Then her eyes sweep the room, taking in the decorations, the cake, and finally—me. “Wow, it looks amazing in here. You guys did all this?”

I jerk my chin toward the porch, where Choke stands, still watching the horizon for his next victim. “We had help.”

Cassidy rolls her eyes with a laugh. “Of course, we did.”

She settles onto the couch, eyes widening at the mountain of gifts piled in front of her. I shift, suddenly unsure if I overdid it. But hell, I’m still figuring this out. I’m new at this husband thing and there were so many things to consider— what she likes, whatmakes her feel special, what she actuallywants.So I covered my bases. Thoroughly.

She glances up at me, amusement flickering in her gaze. “There are so many presents.”

“That’s right! We had no ideas. Well, I did, I got you the book in the purple wrapping paper. It has facts about fossils, and I know you’re going to love it. Alex got the rest.” Connor gives me a pitying look that makes me chuckle.

“Well thank you. Both of you, I feel so special today. That spa was enough of a present on its own. I’m so relaxed.”

I have a sudden image of myself crawling into bed with a relaxed and oiled-up Cassidy. It makes my mouth water.

Cassidy makes her way through the mountain of presents while Connor gets elbow-deep in cake. By the fifth gift, he loses interest altogether and opts to retreat to the video games awaiting him in his room.

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