Page 18 of Wicked Cowboy
I hopped in and asked, “We are?”
He closed my door and then crawled into the truck, placing the license between us. He started the truck. “Sure, you’re going to need a ring.”
My bare hand tingled. “Oh, I hadn’t thought about it.”
He glanced at me briefly and headed onto the street. “I don’t want anyone questioning us.”
I hugged my waist. This was a public statement, and I needed to call my family. I swallowed. “I agree. And the prenup you mentioned?”
He shrugged and we returned to the main street as he said, “It will be in my office when we get back.”
A few minutes later, we parked outside Crystal’s Jewels and he hopped out. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach and joined him.
I was probably crazy, but when I thought jewelers, I thought of pretty women who winked and smiled and seemed so happy about life.
Basically, the opposite of me. I hated the jealous feeling in my veins when I was near perky people. So my pulse quickened as he directed me in. A man in a suit and a woman in fitted clothes that looked fabulous were all behind the counter.
My insides twisted, but Carter guided us right over to a brunette with perfect skin. He pointed toward the rings and I ignored how my palms sweated. My nerves being on end wasn’t a good thing to happen, but I said, “I always like circles to be honest. Circles have no edges. I like that about them.”
He nodded at me, placed his hand around my waist, and told the woman, “We’d like to see your round cut engagement rings.”
She blinked her big doe eyes up at him and asked, “Are you finally getting married, Mr. Rockson? I knew there had to be someone special as you were never interested in anyone in town.”
He ran his hand up and down my back and smiled at the clerk as he said, “This is my girl, Ridley Steel. She’s said yes, but I’ve not bought her a proper ring, so we need to remedy that fast.”
She massaged her neck, but then she took out a tray. “Here are some options.” As I perused the ring choices, she asked us, “How did you two meet?”
I glanced up and read Yvette’s name tag. Carter stayed beside me. “We met years ago when our best friends married. I’ve been overseas, so we waited a long time.”
I showed one to Carter and he slipped it on my finger.
Picking out a ring wasn’t so bad. He gave me a thumbs up and I swallowed and agreed. My stomach stopped rolling as he handed it to Yvette along with his credit card.
She put the rings away and walked to the register with the one we picked and I pressed into his side. “Now that is a good cover story.”
He tightened his hold on me. “I always use the truth whenever possible. I was overseas for most of the ten years and we did meet at the wedding where you were prettier than the bride.”
I blinked, and for one minute, I fantasized he’d told the total truth and he'd spent those ten years hoping to see me again.
I held the ring one more time. “This one is lovely.”
Carter leaned onto the glass table and asked, “How much for you to hurry this one along in Ridley’s finger size?”
Yvette handed over the receipt and card. “I can have it delivered to your ranch tonight, for a fee.”
“Perfect.” She headed back to the register and typed again. It took her a second and then returned again with the receipt for him to sign. Once he did, she said, “Thanks.”
He kissed my cheek and a tremble rushed through me as he said, “Guess it’s time to head home now, sweetheart.”
I took his hand and headed out with him. I was a goner. I absolutely shouldn’t expect to be this excited, forever, but for once in my life, I was the chosen one. And this feeling had me floating to the car.
Chapter 7
Carter
The drive back from town was calm and we listened to the radio. The silence was comfortable and Ridley somehow sent a calmness through me.
Another part of me wanted to strip her naked and stop the truck on the side of the road, though she deserved to be treated like a lady.
