Page 101 of Riding the Storm
Her mouth drops open. “So … it’s happening?”
“It’s happening,” I assure her, grinning. “Raintree-Storm Rodeo Academy is officially green-lit. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we’ll be able to break ground on the new facilities this fall.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and then, without warning, she starts peppering my face with kisses. My forehead, my cheeks, my chin, everywhere.
“Chuck, stop,” I try, but she doesn’t listen.
“Stop what?” she says between kisses.
“That!” I groan, twisting a little. “I’m starving, woman.”
She pulls back just enough to smile, mischief sparkling in her eyes. “So, what you’re sayin’ is, if I keep it up, we won’t make it inside for dinner?”
“Exactly.”
She grins wider, leans in again, and I do what any man in his right mind would do. I kiss her. Slow at first, just a brush of lips that turns hungry the second she exhales against me. She tastes like sweet tea and sin.
When we finally pull apart, both our hearts are racing.
“Come on,” I say, adjusting my grip on her as I head for the porch steps.
“Bryce, what are you doing?” She laughs, wriggling in my arms.
“Carrying you over the threshold,” I say, dead serious but smiling.
Her brows lift.
“Into our future.”
She groans, rolling her eyes. “Corny, cowboy.”
“Yeah, but you love me anyway.”
She tries to fight a smile and fails. “Fine. But don’t ever say somethin’ that cheesy in front of my sisters, or they’ll never let you live it down.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Inside, the kitchen is alive with noise and warmth. Boone and Irene sit side by side at one end of the table, whispering something that makes Irene giggle. Cabe’s laughing loud enough to shake the windows, trying to tell a story while Earl keeps correcting his details. Evelyn’s spooning mashed potatoes onto everyone’s plates, and Matty’s talking over them all, trying to get a word in edgewise. Shelby’s already got a full plate in front of her, which doesn’t surprise me one bit.
It smells like home—roast beef, green beans with bacon, cornbread, and something sweet baking in the oven.
When we walk in, all eyes turn toward us.
“Well, look at that. We weren’t sure you two’d make it inside,” Matty says with a grin. “You owe me five bucks, Shell.”
Shelby groans. Then cuts her eyes to me. “You couldn’t keep the make-out session going for ten more minutes?”
Albert’s quiet gaze meets mine. His smile is subtle, indulgent.
Charli wiggles in my arms, and this time, I let her down gently. Sheslides into her seat beside Shelby, who immediately grabs her hand, excitement written all over her face.
I take the empty chair next to Albert.
Evelyn raises her glass of iced tea. “To new beginnings,” she says. “And to Bryce Raintree officially joining the Wildhaven Storm family.”
Everyone lifts their glasses, even Albert.
I grin and nod. “Appreciate that, ma’am.”
