Page 72 of Giddy-Up
EPILOGUE
One week later
Riley squirmed.Itwas official, blindfolds were no fun outside the bedroom.
“Can I take it off now?”she asked again, her fingers already fiddling with the black cloth.
“Hold on,” Wade replied.“Okay.Now.Now you can take it off.”
She wasted no time ripping the material from her eyes.And when she did, she felt her smile stretch all the way to her ears as she took in the huge space.
Wow.
“It’s amazing,” she gushed.“You guys did so much while I was away.”
The shabby chic barn had finally completed its transformation.There were no old stalls in sight, it was now a fully-fledged rustic restaurant with a sprinkling of subtle modern touches.The exposed brick and the wooden beams meant it kept its character and fitted perfectly with the reclaimed wood tables and minimalist chairs.But her favorite part was the floor to ceiling windows they’d put in by the entrance.She’d seen them being fitted but this was the first time she’d seen how well they went with the rest of the décor.And that view.Miles and miles of fields.It was magical.
“You like it?”Was he kidding?“Come, I want to show you your kitchen.”
Your kitchen.
She may have swooned as he took her hand and led them through into the newly created back room.While she’d helped pick the appliances, seeing everything set up, ready and waiting for her was enough to take her breath away.
She still couldn’t believe this was her real life.Her real job.Her real man.How did she get this lucky?
Twisting to face Wade, she stared up into bright blue.“Do you think your parents will mind if I spend the next twenty-four hours in here, getting to know my new oven?”she teased.
Wade flashed her those sexy dimples before pulling her into him.“It’s Christmas day, darlin’.As much as I want you to bond with the kitchen appliances, I’d much rather spend our first Christmasactuallytogether.”
Our first Christmas.
She liked that.She liked everything about today and her new life.And even though it was still hard to grasp just how much had changed in such a short space of time, she understood why and how.Because that was what love was all about.It changed you.Forever.
***
One month later
Wade had never exactlybeen a social butterfly, so, him being out at a party was unusual.Well, it was until recently.Riley had become very close with Rachel, Bella, Cat and Libby, which meant he was being dragged along to many more gatherings than he was used to.
Like you don’t love it.
Okay.So, love might be going a bit far.But he did like it.Mostly because seeing Riley shine was his favorite thing in the world.And shine she did.She was completely at ease in the large group of friends which included his brother Zach, and her friends’ men, Hunter, Cody and Luke.Let’s not forget Benny too.
That’s not to say she still didn’t get anxious.She did.Usually when she was around people she didn’t know.Which if you asked him, was completely normal.Not that she agreed.
Today wasn’t one of those days though.They were all gathered at Zach and Libby’s for game night.Although they had yet to get to any games and Wade hadn’t spotted any in the cosy living room where he currently stood with his beer.
