Page 82 of More Than a Little Spark

“You know what makes me really happy?”I lace my fingers with hers.

“What’s that?”

I lean close and make my whisper sound like a growl.“You’re mine.”

Goosebumps erupt on her arms, and her cheeks turn a warm shade of pink.“Oh, Dag, I love you.”

Archer

Mateo and Tillie jump out of the truck as soon as I roll to a stop, and Lettie laughs.“They’re excited.”

“Yeah.I am too.It’s been a while since we’ve all been together like this.I’m glad Anderson had the idea of doing this barbecue.Kent said Mason probably wouldn’t make it today.Something happened and he ended up driving instead of flying.”

“I hope he makes it.”She takes my hand as we walk away from the truck.“It tickles me that Fred and Bailey are getting married because it reminds me of us.They met when they were so young.”Lettie tears up.“It’s sweet.”

“Just like us, they were meant to be.”I give her a kiss.

She smiles.“Following you to Stadtburg was one of the best decisions I ever made.We reconnected, which of course I love, and our kids got to grow up with this massive group of friends.”

“Life has a way of working itself out, I suppose.”

She nods.“True.I’m sure Carson would say the same thing.How old was Fred when they moved here?”

“Like eleven or twelve, I think.”

“They really are a lot like us.”She squeezes my hand.“I’m going to find Lilith and see if she needs any help with last-minute wedding tasks.”

“Alright.I’m going to join the guys by the grill.”I tug her close for a kiss.“Hopefully, we have a few years before we’re hosting a wedding.”

“Agreed.I’m not ready for that yet.”She laughs before walking away.

Anderson

A last-minute run for ice has me late to the barbecue, but a backyard party in summer without ice isn’t a good thing.I smile as the sounds of people enjoying themselves fill the air.

We don’t all work at the ranch anymore, but we all still live in the area.Busy lives make it harder to get everyone together.The upcoming wedding seemed like the perfect reason to gather since all the kids were returning to town.

I carry the cooler full of ice to the mess hall.

“Thank you.Just leave it right there.I’ll have Mad Dog move it for me if I need it somewhere else.”Ava pats my arm.“Primrose is looking for you.I think she’s in one of the guest rooms.”

I’m not sure what has her off by herself, but I wander into the house, looking for her.She’s sitting on the bed in a guest room, wiping her eyes.

“What’s wrong?”I rush across the room and kneel in front of her.

She taps the bed beside her, sniffling.

I take a seat and rub her back.“What’s going on?”

Prim shifts into my lap and buries her face in the curve of my neck.“I’m being a ninny.Seeing all the people is making this real, Anderson.Bailey is getting married.I’m so happy for her.Really and truly.But gosh.A wedding seemed so far away until it wasn’t.”

I brush my thumb on her cheek, wiping away tears.“People always cry at weddings.You’re just getting a head start.A two-day head start.”

She laughs.“I don’t know why I’m so emotional about this.”

I raise an eyebrow.“You aren’t pregnant, are you?”

“Oh no.Hopefully not.I am not ready to start over with diapers.”She wipes her face.

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