Page 58 of Giddy-Up
Luke slapped Benny on the back.“We’ve not forgotten, dude.”
“Why are you all laughing?”Benny whined.
“You’ve not told him yet, have you?”Rachel slapped Hunter’s hand that was resting on her stomach.
“Told me what?”
Hunter turned to Benny and blanked his features as he announced, “You’re walking down the aisle with Snowcone.”
“The fucking cat!”Benny spat as the group exploded again.“Are you fucking kidding?”
Riley took a moment to look around at the men and women surrounding her.She never knew a life like this was possible for her.She felt accepted.For the first time in thirty years.The women knew all about her anxiety and never pushed for more than she could give.They embraced her quirks.Celebrated them.And as for the man holding her tight, without a doubt, she knew she’d fallen in love with him.But instead of letting her fear of what that meant win, she was going to lean into it.Enjoy it.She’d wasted enough time.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Wade stopped himselffrom pulling Riley into his arms.He doubted she’d appreciate the gesture after she’d gone to so much trouble trying to remain professional.
He and his brothers sat around the fold out table they’d set up in the barn.The exterior upgrades were now complete, but they still had to sort the interior.The first thing he wanted to do was get a kitchen installed for Riley.
“Okay.”Her shaky smile made his chest tighten.“So, these are the main dishes I’ve come up with.”Her hand waved over the contents of the table.Piping hot plates filled to the brim, with an aroma that was already making his stomach growl.“On the left are the staples.These will be what the staff are going to want to eat.Then here on the right are more guest focused dishes.Classics with a twist.”
“This looks amazing, Riley,” Zach exclaimed.
She thanked him shyly.
“Do we get to eat now?”Jonah asked before he got a thump in the chest from Wade.“Ow!”
“She’s not finished yet, man,” Matt informed Jonah on his behalf.
Riley jumped in, before his brother starved to death.“You can go ahead and eat.Next to each dish you’ll find an ingredients list.I’ve also made a note of local suppliers and some rough pricing.”
Damn she was good.
His brothers looked just as impressed as he was.Jonah in particular who was in charge of the books.
None of them wasted any time digging into the food.Satisfied noises echoing around the empty barn.
