Page 20 of Wicked Cowboy
My father then tucked his hands in his back pockets. “You might fit in with this family better than Carter’s mother ever did.”
Not much startled me, but that statement left me floored. My pulse quickened.
My mother had lived as the lady of the manor, running a society of rich women and controlling my father and me.
Ridley shook her head. “Doubtful. This beautiful house was created for her.”
True, and every corner of the place had my mother’s crests and encrusted gold embedded in the stones.
Pop shrugged. “Yes, but she never enjoyed running a ranch, so she built herself a castle. Unlike my wife, you seem sturdy. More like my own mother.”
My grandmother had made delicious yogurt and jams while she ran a business she transformed into an empire.
Ridley and Chelsea whispered something, but then Ridley said, “Or you’re just saying that because I can now control your meals.”
“You can try,” Pop said.
In Pop language, that meant he’d never listen.
I gently squeezed her arm. “Don’t mind my father for being rude, Ridley.”
She waved me off like she wasn’t upset. “Are you joking? He’s fine. I’ve dealt with far worse.”
Another reason she was amazing. I curled my lips higher and my heart swelled. We'd made the right decision today. I took a breath. “If he ever triggers you, let me know.”
She stared at me and, at that moment, it was like we were alone as she said, “No problem.”
Chelsea squealed and burst the bubble, “I’m so happy you’re staying.”
Ridley turned away and brushed something off Chelsea’s shoulder as she said, “Me, too. We can get to know each other now just as your mom wanted.”
Chelsea’s face went white and her head dropped. “I… miss her.”
“Me, too,” Ridley said and hugged her.
For one minute, I stared at both of them. Ridley was more than I ever expected in my life. She’d blossom here. Blood pumped in my veins like our deal was based on more.
Pop and I walked out, and I took the license to my office to file it.
On the desk, the lawyers had delivered the paperwork.
Good. I quickly checked my portfolio to put out any immediate fires, though work was hard.
I kept remembering her kiss and how I felt whole when I held her close.
I even laughed as I deleted a pointless email.
Footsteps echoed in the hall and my body grew hard like she’d come and strip for me. The image faded as she strode inside. I jumped out of my seat. Her face was white.
I said, “You were crying.”
She took the papers with her name on it. “Chelsea and I both needed a moment.”
She read the pages and as she initialed, I leaned on my desk in front of her. “I’m glad you’re getting along now. My father likes you, so don’t take his grumbling to heart.”
Her eyes widened on a page, but she didn’t comment.
She glanced up briefly as she said, “It’s okay, Carter.” She continued to read and initial, but then said, “When my mom was dying, after my dad died so suddenly, now that was hard, emotionally.” She let out a sigh. “It’s nice to have your dad stay healthy, so he’ll be here for you and Chelsea for years. Your dad seems more… spoiled, but he’ll get used to me in time.”
