Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Scanning the page, I stop when I see what’s included and what’s very much not listed. I sit up to reread just in case I didn’t read it correctly the first time. But there it is, plain as day. “There shall be no claims to Rollingwood Ranch or any associated businesses, properties, financials, or incomes.” No claim?
Why do we need a contract to state he has no claim to my family’s property?
And then it occurs to me . . . He has no claim to my money and assets, but I have full rights to his. Oh my God. Tagger, what have you done?
He’s getting so lucky for this.
“You’re pretty,” Beck says, standing in front of me in his spiffiest jeans, button-up, boots, and hat. He’s acclimating.
“Thanks, buddy.” I squat to adjust the little lariat around his neck. “You look very handsome yourself.”
“Wait until you see Daddy. He said he looks handsome for you.”
“Oh yeah?” Standing back up, I add, “I can’t wait.”
He pulls something from his pocket and holds it in his hand. “I have something for you.”
“What is that?”
“I made you a friendship bracelet.” He holds up the satin ribbon with beads on it. “It has my name.”
I can’t handle his cuteness. Taking it, I hug him. “Thank you so much.” When I sit back on my heels, I ask, “Can I wear it now?” He nods. “Will you help me?” He takes the bracelet and slides it on my wrist. I twirl it back and forth several times to admire it. It really is perfect for the occasion. I manage to get one hug out of him before he dashes because he heard there were the good kind of gummy bears on a table somewhere.
A kid after my own heart.
With a ring of flowers wrapped around my head and my hair flowing over my shoulders, Sunrise brings me across the fields to where our friends and family have gathered.
It’s the perfect spot to see the sunset explode in stunning oranges and pinks with blues mixed in. The sky will be on fire before we seal our nuptials with a kiss.
In the shade of the orchard with the fragrance of peaches floating in the air, my soon to be betrothed is waiting for me. My cowboy looks as handsome as ever in his pale gray felt cowboy hat and his shined-up boots. He went with dark denim and a white shirt for the occasion. His incredible smile wins me over as if he hadn’t all those years prior.
Lauralee holds the bouquet of wildflowers I picked this morning near the ridge of where my mom is buried. A gentle breeze welcomed me with dew still shining on the leaves as the sun rose over the greener pasture. I only had a few minutes, but it was good to share the peaceful moment with her.
There is no music, but who needs music when love is in the air? Tagger isn’t an overly emotional kind of man. But the sunset shines in his eyes, and I can see the tears forming while he watches me.
The sun beats down, so I don’t want to keep everyone waiting in the heat. Griffin helps me off the horse, and Baylor guides me to where my dad will walk me down the makeshift aisle to my handsome soon-to-be-husband.
After a quick embrace of my best friend, I take the bouquet in one hand, and the tissue she sneaks with it, and hook my arm around my Dad’s arm. I catch the tears in his eyes as he looks me over as if it’s the last time.
We know it’s not, but this is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a whole new adventure. “You’ve made me unbelievably proud, Christine. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.”
I turn to take Tagger’s offered hands, his heart, and give him mine in exchange because the way we look at it, it’s a win-win.
Dabbing the inner corners of my eyes with the tissue, I laugh from the happiness escaping me. I always thought I had a crush on Tagger Grange. It wasn’t. It was love. I knew he was my soul mate. The universe took us in different directions but destiny brought us together in the end.
And now, standing with our boots touching and our hands held together, the man I dreamed about my whole life is ready to marry me as if I’m his dream come true as well.
EPILOGUE 1
Pris
As I hold my favorite black hat on my head, Tagger carries me onto the dance floor outside the barn and sets me down. He’s quick to take my hand and spin me around, out from him, and then bring me back to him again. He captures me in his arms, and we slow it down and sway together.