Page 115 of Freeing the Wild
“Mmmhmm.”
“So … how is it being on the ranch while he helps with the cabins?Seems he’s been right in your backyard?”
“Don’t ask,” she replies.
I start to laugh.“Oh, I’m asking,”
Olivia pulls her lipstick out of her purse as I continue to tease her.
“There’s justsomethingabout a man you’re not supposed to want.Am I right?”
“It doesn’t hurt that he’s that really scary type of gorgeous,” Olivia replies.
“Definitely doesn’t hurt,” I tell her.I glance over at Haden, who is in deep conversation with Nash.Olivia can have her bathroom stall trysts.There’s no man on earth that does it for me the way Haden Westbrook does.
“How about I let you ask me about it next week.Sangria?”Olivia says now, bringing my attention back to her.
“You got it.”I hold my glass up to hers.“To the men we can’t help but want.They may not go down in history, but may they go down on us.”
Olivia laughs as she clinks her glass to mine.“Amen.”
We turn our attention back to the speeches as Mabelpresents Ginger with a locket that holds a picture of the two of them, and tells her that she’s her “mommy in her heart.”
I have never thought too much about having kids, but witnessing the relationship these two have with Mabel—and the joy Billi brings to Wade and Ivy—I’m starting to picture myself with a little one of my own.Part me and part Haden.
That’s a future conversation, though.Because, right now, we’re having fun getting to know every single thing about each other and settling into our new little life.Moving into Haden’s home, our home, has been the easiest thing I’ve ever done, and there isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not grateful for the choice I made.Dax even sent me an apology note a week after his blowup wishing me the best with Harper-Colburn and Fiona.I’ve since heard he’s working with a hot new artist from Georgia.
We all watch as Cole and Ginger make their way to the dance floor for the first dance.Ginger wraps her arms around Cole’s neck; her sleeveless dress sways as she does and hugs her figure perfectly.She wears a headband with feathers and beads that covers one side of her hair completely.She looks stunning.
“They look so happy,” I whisper as I angle my back to Haden and lean into his chest.
“Not as happy as us,” he says, kissing me on the cheek and holding me close.
“Tell me something honest, Cowboy,” I say to him, tipping my face up to meet his gaze.He doesn’t hesitate.
“That’s gonna be us soon, you know.”
“The wedding or the kids?”
“Both.”
“Promise?”I ask.I’ve never felt as happy or at peace as I do right in this moment.
“I promise.”His lips come down on mine as the song changes to my song: “Your Truck.”Haden grins.“Special request.Let’s dance.”
“Smooth,” I say as he takes my hand and leads me out onto the floor.
“It’s these custom jeans.They give me all the mojo.”
I wrap my arms up around him.He takes my hand in his as I kiss his lips.The same way I did on a dance floor over eight months ago.“I’ve got news for you.The jeans are the reason I fell in love with you in the first place.”
Haden lets out a low laugh.“I knew they were your weakness.”
“You’re my weakness,” I tell him, looking into his eyes.“My weakness and my strength.I love you, Haden.”
“I love you, Princess.Always.”
I rest my head on Haden’s chest and breathe him in.I’ll never be alone another day in my life with him by my side.If anyone ever told me that one night would change my life forever; that I’d end up with the man of my dreams, writing music and living a peaceful, simple life on a horse rescue ranch, I never would’ve believed them.But now that I’m here, there’s not a damn thing I’d change.
