Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 104386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
I smiled, loving this story.
“This makes it all the more special,” I said, leaning in and kissing him.
When we broke apart, Cord motioned for me to look to me right. I laughed when I saw Vi and me da standing there. I could have sworn I saw tears glistening in me da’s eyes.
Vi held up her phone and yelled, “I got it all on video for the rest of the family!”
We both laughed tears of joy, and I gasped when I saw me da reach for Vi’s hand as they strolled back toward the castle.
Cord squeezed me hand, drawing me attention back to him. “You okay?”
I nodded. “Yes. I’ve never been better.”
Inhaling deeply, I pushed away the unsure feelings about me father’s life moving on from me mother and glanced at the champagne. Cord pulled the bottle out and poured us each a glass.
“I have food in here, too, if you’re hungry.”
“Famished!” I said, dramatically placing the back of me hand over me forehead.
An hour later we sat on the blanket together, me tucked between Cord’s legs as we watched birds and listened to the sounds of nature. Every now and then a couple would walk by and smile, or a family would rush past, kids yelling, delighted to be out in the unseasonably warm weather.
“What are you thinking about?” Cord asked. His fingers moved lazily up me arm, making it tingle with each pass.
“I was thinking I want to get married in Ireland.” Looking up at him, I waited for his reaction.
“That’s a great idea.”
Me cheeks burned with how hard I was smiling at his reply. “Are you serious? You’d get married here? In Ireland?”
“Yes, of course I would. You’ll have to do all the talking with everyone since I can’t seem to fucking understand a damn word being said. But I know of this fabulous castle that could serve as the wedding venue, and I hear the price is too good to pass up.”
Laughing, I lifted me hand and placed it on the side of his face. “Deal!”
He leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips. As much as I loved our little picnic, the throbbing between me legs was begging to be taken care of.
“Take me back to Castle Finghin and make love to me, my fiancé.”
Wiggling his eyebrows, Cord replied, “Your wish is my command, baby.”
Dropping my head back, I looked up at the beautiful blue Texas sky. The cool October breeze was giving us a reprieve as we worked on the fence across the south pasture.
“How’s Harley feeling?” Wade asked Tripp.
“Good. She’s finally gotten over the morning sickness and her belly is starting to show a bit.”
There was no denying the happiness on my older brother’s face.
“Gonna find out what it is?” I asked before driving the post hole diggers back into the ground. Sweat was pouring off of me so I stopped, took off my cowboy hat and wiped it away with my sleeve.
Tripp nodded. “I think so. Harley really wants to know so she can plan the baby’s room.”
Trevor slammed the truck door and started cursing as we looked his way.
“What’s going on with him?” Mitchell asked.
Steed sighed as he dropped the shovel. “Who knows. He hasn’t been this way since last spring. Always fucking moody, miserable as hell, and won’t admit to anyone, especially himself, that he fell for a certain little brunette.”
“Scarlett?” Tripp asked.
“Yep,” Wade answered. “I’ve never seen him like this. It’s like he’s drawn to her, but won’t admit it. I called him out on it this morning when we saw her at Lilly’s. She walked in and Trevor had been flirting with some chick he knew from high school. I could see the hurt on Scarlett’s face when she saw him.”
“What did you say to him that has him so pissed off?” Mitchell asked.
“I told him he either needed to let her go or be with only her. I could see by the look on her face that she has feelings for him. I’m not a hundred percent sure what’s going on with them, but I do know Trevor’s gone over to Scarlett’s place many times.”
“Maybe it’s just casual for her, as well,” Steed said.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Wade replied, “I don’t think so, man. She looked hurt. When Trevor saw her, she spun on her heels and walked right out of Lilly’s. He went after her, and she gave him a pretty big push away, yelled something, and got into her car. He looked pretty messed up after that.”
“That’s when you decided to say something to him? After that happened?” I asked.
Wade frowned. “Not smart on my part, but I hate seeing him like this. I know he cares about her.”
Steed picked up the jack hammer and moved it into the hole I’d just cleaned out. Before he turned it on, he said, “Well, no matter what we say to him, he has to make the decision for himself. He either wants to be with Scarlett or he doesn’t. He’s going to come to realize she won’t wait forever for him to get his shit together.”