Page 30 of Joy Ride
Epilogue
I never made it back to Wyoming.
The day after Travis proposed, he insisted we drive straight to Missoula to get a ring, and has been pampering me ever since. I ended up with a rock the size of Texas on my left finger, and he’s already mulling over plans to build a dream house for us on the land he owns near Chase. But I’m the happiest I’ve ever been living in the apartment above Boondocks. I don’t care where Travis and I live, as long as we’re together.
When I told my parents and brothers about falling head over heels for Travis, they all flew into Missoula to meet him. Chase sent a luxurious tour bus to pick them up at the airport, and they’ve been staying at his place. Of course, they’re crazy about my man. It didn’t hurt that my West Palomino cousins had already vetted Travis Cassidy years ago.
Mom said she and Dad knew before they even bought their plane tickets that Travis was the one for me. She could tell just by the way I was gushing over him.
Now, we’re all in the spectacular ballroom of the new Wild Cat Ridge resort. The owners, Huck and Loretta Parker, had already invited my relatives, and when they learned Travis and I were engaged and my crew from Wyoming were in Montana, they insisted we all come to the party. Travis’s family isn’t back from their cruise yet, but I met his parents and sisters over the phone, and I know we’re going to hit it off in person.
But the Wests are all here to ring in the New Year together…well, everyone except Lexi and Chase. I snag another cream puff off the silver tray as a server passes by and pop it into my mouth. My cowboy is waiting for me at our table.
Drool-worthy in his black tux and crisp white dress shirt, Travis digs into his pocket and pulls out his phone. At first, I watch hungrily as he does it, still not believing that the beautiful man sitting at the table is mine, then I cross the room, hurrying to him.
My fiancé looks up with a grin made for me and gets to his feet.
“Any news?” I ask wrapping my arms around his tight waist.
Travis peers down, tenderly stroking my back. “Lexi’s fine. Still in labor.”
“I can’t believe it. She was hoping the baby would come on New Year’s Day. If she can hold on a few more hours, she might just get her wish.”
“Not sure that’s how it works, darlin’. I think the baby might be calling the shots here.” He takes a seat and pats his lap with a simmering stare, and we stay locked in our own universe as I close the distance between us. “You’re beautiful,” Travis growls, pulling me onto his lap. I adjust the sweeping embroidered hem of the new dress he surprised me with this morning. He keeps saying he’s having fun showering me with presents, that he’s never met anyone he wanted to pamper before.
“I feel like a princess,” I purr, snuggling up against the soft wool of Travis’s tux. “And you’re my prince.” I tip up the brim of his sexy, black Stetson and give him a long soulful kiss.
My cowboy.
“Ahem,” My brother Casey’s voice comes from behind. I look over my shoulder and teasingly raise my brows. “Yes?”
“This here, you two,” he shrugs with a chuckle, “is going to take some getting used to.”
“Good news is I can’t stop kissing your sister,” Travis says, kissing my nose. “So you getting used to it shouldn’t take too long.”
Don’t get me wrong, Casey knows his way around women. He’s only uncomfortable, because he’s never seen me madly in love with anyone before. I scan the room of gowns and little black dresses. “Do any of these West Palomino girls strike your fancy?”
Casey nods, scratching his neck, nonchalantly sneaking a glance at someone. “That one.” Casey tips his chin at a pretty brunette off by herself in a corner. “Is she single?”
Travis peeks over. “Married her high school sweetheart. Five kids with one in the oven.”
“Fuck. I hate small towns.” Casey smirks. “It’s damn near incestuous around here.”
“Don’t worry, Casey. I have no doubt you’ll be kissed by someone at midnight.”
He eyes me under the rim of his hat. “Mom doesn’t count.” He laughs. “I’m gonna get another drink. Want anything?”
“Thanks, but we’re still working on our bottle of champagne. You’re welcome to join us,” Travis offers.
“Nah, thanks, but it looks like you have your own private party going on, and I’m not about to ruin it.” Casey gives me one of his signature smiles that makes every single woman I know in Wyoming swoon. “You two look good together,” he says before sauntering off into the throng to find his next victim.
Travis and I spend the rest of our night dancing and sipping bubbles. At around ten o’clock, the musicians wrap up their set and start packing. The crowd gathers as our elegant hostess Loretta Parker steps up to the ballroom stage in a sparkly silver gown. With the spotlights bouncing off her dress and throwing a rainbow of colors around the room, she graciously thanks everyone for coming and introduces her famous son and his band to count us down to midnight.
The room goes nuts. Everyone and their brother’s cat know who Rhett Parker is. He just won the Academy of Country Music’s song of the year award.
“What a treat,” I say, trying not to gawk. I’m thrilled he’s playing for us, and I know Rhett has fans who throw their panties at him while he’s singing, but the only man I have eyes for is the one holding me in his arms.
As the crowd counts down to midnight, there’s a side of me that wonders if I’ll turn into a pumpkin and be back in my old room at our Wyoming ranch wearing my flannel pajamas like I’ve done for the last three New Year’s Eves.
