Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
"What?" I gape at him. "You aren't serious." Except…I can already tell that he's completely serious. This crazy man fully intends to marry me immediately.
I glance at Gran and Bets, just to find them beaming at us. They're fully on board with this plan.
"How did I become the lone voice of reason in this house?" I mumble up at the ceiling.
"Because you're dramatic, dear," Gran says. "Just tell the boy yes and get on with it already."
"You're supposed to talk me out of rushing into things."
"I'm eighty, Emmaline. The only way to do things at my age is in a hurry. Otherwise, you're liable to wake up dead."
"You can't wake up dead, Gran."
"Oh? Are you an expert then?"
Zayne chuckles.
"Don't encourage her."
"She has a point," he says with a shrug.
"You're only agreeing with her because she's taking your side."
"Maybe, but that doesn't negate the fact that she has a point." He smirks at me. "Stop overthinking and start plannin' your dream wedding, lamb. My rules, remember?"
"Your rules didn't say anything about me marrying you, Zayne Carmichael!"
"It was in the fine print."
"You always read the fine print, girl," Bets cackles.
"Are you really going to fight me on this, baby girl? We both know you want it as much as I do," Zayne murmurs. "You wouldn't have let me lie my way through your front door if you didn't."
I cast a furtive glance at Gran and Bets.
"We're old, not stupid, Emmaline. The only thing that boy is protecting you from is anyone trying to steal you out from under him."
"At least I don't have to worry about either of you trying to buy a gun to protect the house," I mutter, relieved we're not pretending anymore. I don't think either of us was very good at it. But we were both willing to do it anyway. Maybe Gran and Bets aren't the only crazy ones in this room.
"Why in the world would I need to buy a gun?" Gran asks. "I already have one in the closet."
"You don't," I groan.
"Of course, I do. You think the only thing your grandpa left me was money?" She tsks at me, her poufy hair bouncing with the force of her head shake. "You should know better than that, Emmaline. Really."
"Do you know how to shoot it?" Zayne asks, finally worried about something. It's about time! I mean, honestly.
"Not a clue," Gran says cheerfully. "But I've got a box of bullets and know where to put them. I also know where the business end of the thing is located. I can figure it out from there."
Zayne pales slightly. "Maybe I should hold onto the gun."
Gran shrugs like it doesn't matter one way or another who has the gun so long as it shoots.
"Are we planning this wedding or not?" Bets wants to know.
All eyes turn in my direction, patiently waiting for my answer.
"You didn't ask me," I hiss at Zayne.
"Is that why you're dragging your feet saying yes?"
"I can't say yes if there isn't a question, Zayne Carmichael."
"In that case…" He drops to his knees right there in the middle of the floor, one arm still loaded with shopping bags. He carefully sets them aside before reaching into his pocket to retrieve something.
Tears well in my eyes when he holds his hand out, and I spot the ring resting in his palm.
"You gave him your ring," I whisper to Gran.
"Of course I did. It's been yours since your grandpa died. I've just been waiting for you to find the man worthy of you. Now that you have, it's time for that old ring to be shining on your finger where it belongs."
I sniffle, trying—and failing—to fight tears. She's giving me her ring, and she thinks Zayne is worthy of me. Her judgment may be faulty most days, but it's impeccable today. There is no one more worthy of me. I don't think there ever will be.
This crazy man is it for me…and that's not nearly as terrifying as I let myself believe it was. For the first time, I realize it's not terrifying at all. In fact, it's the complete opposite. Nothing would make me happier than spending the rest of my life loving this crazy man.
"Zayne?"
"Yes, lamb?"
"I have to fire you as my bodyguard."
He cocks his head to the side, eyeing me curiously. "Why is that, lamb?"
"Apparently, I have a sudden opening for a fiancé. I was kind of hoping you'd want to fill that position instead."
His smile is bright enough to light up the entire room. "Oh, yeah?" He grabs my hand, slipping Gran's ring into place on my finger. "I think I can make that happen."
"Are you sure? I hear the wedding is soon."
"Real soon," he growls, rising to his feet with fire in his eyes. "As soon as humanly possible."
"Yeah? You sure you're available?" I tease. "Maybe we should check and make sure I don't need to ask your broth–"