Page 143 of Fixing to Be Mine

“And to think, we still have a lifetime more of this, darlin’,” Colt says, burying his face between my legs.

“Love the sound of that, cowboy.” I gasp out, the pleasure all-consuming, my heart so damn full.

The thought of forever doesn’t scare me anymore. Not after this man taught me that some things don’t need fixing, just someone who loves you right.

EPILOGUE

STORMY

The moment we pull into the gravel lot of the big barn at Horseshoe Creek Ranch, I can already tell Grace has been here since sunrise. She’s a wedding planner, the best in the state, and I’m so happy that she’s volunteered to help us with this.

Colt parks the Bronco in the back, kills the engine, and turns to me. He doesn’t say anything before he reaches across the console and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. His fingers linger on my cheek for a moment. Long enough to settle me.

“You ready, darlin’?” he asks.

I nod with a grin. “As I’ll ever be.”

This isn’t only an engagement party. It’s the first time we’ve been in a room full of people celebrating us. Not the PR version. Not the city version. Not the girl who ran away or the man who followed. Just us together.

Colt hops out and circles the front before I even get the door open. He offers his hand, as if I’m wearing heels, not the most comfortable pair of ankle boots I own. I will always take his hand.

The sun is dipping low behind the trees, casting everything in a golden wash. It makes everything look a little softer aroundthe edges, like this is a dream. The breeze carries a whisper of excitement.

Inside, the barn is unrecognizable.

Twinkle lights are strung from every beam, flickering softly against the early evening sky. I catch glimpses of glowing candles, small arrangements of fall flowers on every table—deep burgundy dahlias, rust-colored mums, and sprigs of eucalyptus, tucked into mismatched glass bottles that look freshly polished but still antique. The air smells like cinnamon, vanilla, and something savory.

They’ve cleared the barn and made it look like it was plucked from a country bridal magazine. London strums her acoustic guitar and sings softly into the microphone.

“Oh, there they are!” London says, and everyone’s attention turns toward us. “I’m thrilled to announce Colt and Stormy have arrived!”

The barn bursts into cheers and applause. It feels like the whole town is here with drinks in hand, dresses swirling around boots and loafers alike.

I stand inside the doorway for a second, letting it all sink in.

Colt’s hand rests lightly on the small of my back, grounding me.

“Not bad, huh?” he says near my ear.

“It’s perfect,” I whisper.

He leans in, lips brushing my temple. “Like you.”

I glance around the room—at the people smiling, at the warmth in the lighting, at the way the space feels like it’s already wrapped itself around me. I’m not an outsider or a guest. I’m in the place where I belong.

Colt gently tugs me forward, toward the noise, toward the people who are already turning with smiles and lifted glasses.

I don’t brace for what’s coming next; I walk into it with my head high.

Remi’s the first to reach me. She appears from behind a table, carrying two glasses of champagne and a proud smile that tells me she’s been waiting for this moment all evening.

“I was growing worried,” she says, pressing the glasses into our hands before wrapping us in tight hugs. “What do you think of the barn?”

I laugh into her shoulder, and then we pull away. “Honestly? It’s stunning. I’m blown away.”

She waves her hand toward the candlelit tables and the carefully draped chiffon hanging from the rafters. “Grace insisted we keep it simple but elegant. ‘West Texas romance meets understated chic,’ I think were her exact words.”

I glance across the room and spot Grace adjusting a floral arrangement near the dessert table, her sleek ponytail bobbing as she gives instructions to a young server. She catches my eye and gives me a cute wave. Harrison is beside her, stealing kisses, and she swats him away.

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