Page 34 of Wicked Cowboy
“I will,” I said and waited until she left.
As I closed the door, I was alone again.
I massaged the back of my hair. There was no way Ridley deserved the blood on my hands. If she didn’t care about me, then maybe we’d work as a partnership that had clear terms and actions. While she hadn’t said she cared, she had an open heart.
I’d taken advantage of her goodness and forgot myself with her for a while. I had no right to seek refuge again.
I went toward my office to do work, and forget about our upcoming nuptials and my past.
My father was sitting in my seat and stood. “Son, there you are.”
I waited for him to take the guest's chair.
Once we were settled, I asked, “What’s going on, Pop?”
He put his hands on the desk like we were negotiating something. “Something seemed off between you and Ridley today. You’re getting married soon, and I… wanted to say you should do what makes you happy.”
Was this an intervention? My skin buzzed. “I’m fine. We’re good. Look, I’m not like you.”
Pop sat back in his chair. “When I married your mother, I was young and wanted to have the prettiest woman around. I realized early on we had problems, but I stayed because I wanted to be in your life.”
Now that was honest. I stared at his brown eyes. Vanity was the one trait I couldn’t stand. “I… Pop, Ridley and I didn’t keep in touch for ten years. I shouldn’t have lied to you.“
“Yes and maybe that explains the tension of today.” Pop said and then tapped the sides of his seat like he’d made a point, “Unlike us, she has some common sense. We might need a little of that around here, but only if you’re happy.”
That wasn’t my life. I wasn’t getting the happily-ever-after. “Tomorrow, we’re going to get married at the courthouse. I told her you wanted to be there.”
He nodded at me. “I’ll call our personal shopper and tailors to get us whatever colors you and your bride choose for the day.”
“We don’t have a color. We never really talked about it. Does she even have a white dress?”
I’d had her things delivered last night and tucked into her room. But I lifted my shoulders. “I don’t know…”
Pop texted on his phone. “I’ll get five options sent over. She had pops of green in her two outfits she’d brought here. As it’s just family, I’ll tell our shopper to keep it simple.”
Our mother had set up the family with access to every store and stylist within a hundred miles, even still.
A chill ran through me as I said, “We are planning a bigger wedding later.”
“Good.” He snapped his finger. “Now, that makes me happy.”
My eyebrow raised. “Glad I’ve finally done something to earn that one.”
He stood and then pointed me toward the door. “Look, go and find your bride. You both seemed tense today. Chelsea and I are going to watch a movie. Maybe we can catch you for dinner.”
I tugged my ear and walked him out. “I told Ridley to join us all for lunch.”
He fixed my tie like I was about to go to some high school dance, but he said, “Distract your bride. I know you know how to do that. Keep her happy and then life here will be more pleasant. And we can meet for dinner.”
I leaned against the office door and asked, “That’s your advice? Keep her happy?”
He strode out. “Well, if you can keep her away from my health chart, I’ll be happier.”
I tapped on the edge of the frame and shook my head. “No, but nice try.”
Pop winked at me, “Your mom liked me to give her some extra treat when I upset her, like jewels.”
What attracted me to Ridley was how she didn’t put her looks first. I said, “Ridley’s not-"
