Page 40 of Aisle Be The Groom (Bristlecone Springs #1)
GRAY
W here was he? Ozzie had been gone for an hour, and I had no idea where he was. Technically, an hour wasn’t long for an adult to go off by themself, but after the bombshell had Emma dropped, tightness sat in my gut.
I need to go.
He just meant he needed some time, right? He wasn’t actually going to leave me, was he? Even though he hadn’t returned, I still went upstairs to check that his clothes were still in the closet. I let out a breath and leaned against the doorframe, my eyes roving over each shirt and jeans as though cataloging them would somehow tie him to me stronger.
How could I not have known Carter had overheard me that day? So much made sense. I replayed the conversation I’d had with Carter about the venue of his wedding.
“Hey, Car. What’s going on, kiddo?” I lean against the kitchen counter.
“Hey, Dad. Just taking a breather from all this wedding planning and thought I’d call you to see how you’re doing.”
I frown. Now this is even more suspect. Or maybe he’s turning over a new leaf. His fiancé seems to be having a positive effect on him.
Ozzie.
I shake my head at the way my heart speeds up. I’ve barely been around him, but his incredible kindness and gentleness left a mark on me.
“How’s the planning going?” I ask.
“Tough. Our budget’s not that great, and we can’t find a place in the city to host the event when we want. Ozzie’s not into anything too showy.”
“Did you have something in mind?” Despite being married, I know little about weddings, but I’ll do anything for my kid. Maybe this is a chance for us to grow closer to each other.
“I don’t know. Thinking somewhere with nature for Ozzie. Not too many people and just close friends. That’s the kind of guy he is, and I want this wedding to be perfect for him.”
I straighten up. “What about the ranch?”
“What?”
“The ranch will be perfect. I insist. Your wedding must be on the ranch.”
“But the ranch…I don’t know, Dad. Though Ozzie would love it, I think, but I don’t want to impose.”
“It’s not an imposition. Wouldn’t be too much work at all, and it’s plenty big enough for everyone. Plus, it’d mean a lot to me.” Now that the idea had taken root, I couldn’t shake off the excitement of Carter getting married at home. “In fact, you have the wedding at the ranch, Carter, and I’ll pay for the whole thing. It doesn’t get better than that.”
“You mean that? It’d sure be nice to start a life together without debt.”
“Absolutely. It’s decided, then. The wedding will be held at the ranch.”
As the conversation swirled around in my brain, doubt surfaced about the intention of that call. Why had Carter called me out of the blue to talk about his wedding, specifically the venue?
Oh god, Emma was right. He’d manipulated me into inviting them to the ranch for the wedding. Then he’d gone off to the Caribbean, leaving me with no option but taking care of his fiancé.
That my own flesh and blood could manipulate me to this extent, pushing Ozzie and me together, then blaming us for falling in love, shattered my heart into a million pieces. Granted, his inheritance was a lot of money, but some things were more important. Had I not taught him that?
I stumbled back down the stairs and entered the kitchen, hoping to find Ozzie there talking to Gertie as he usually did. But Gertie was alone, swaying gently to an old tune playing on the radio as she stirred something on the stove. She turned down the volume of the radio.
“Is he back yet?” she asked.
“No.”
“Then what are you doing in here? Go look for him and fix whatever it is that Emma broke.”
“It wasn’t Emma. It’s Carter.”
“Oh lord, what did he do this time?”
“All this time, he was pushing us together. He had no intention of marrying Ozzie at all.”
“I see. And what’s the problem?”
“He manipulated the whole thing.”
“So? What Carter did was disgusting, but does it change the fact that you’re crazier about that boy than a June bug on a porch light? It doesn’t matter how it all started, Gray. All that matters is how you two write the rest of your story. Carter no longer has the pen. Will you close the book or start a new chapter? It’d be a shame if you end things now. I see so many good things in your future with Ozzie.”
She was right. Carter no longer had the pen. Carter’s manipulation, while cruel, had unearthed a love I’d never expected. And the thought of losing Ozzie broke me more than any betrayal could.
“I gotta find Ozzie.” I darted toward the door.
“Start a new chapter, Gray!” Gertie called after me.
I walked toward the stables where I usually found him with Indy. The horses whinnied gently, their eyes gleaming.
Ozzie was crouched down next to Indy, brushing his mane tenderly. The colt’s nostrils flared under Ozzie’s soothing touch. He didn’t look up but continued with his ministrations.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped farther into the barn and closed the door behind me.
“I love the way you take care of him,” I said softly.
Ozzie looked up then, and his red-rimmed eyes tugged at my heart. He’d been crying. Oh shit, this new chapter wasn’t starting like I wanted it to.
“He’s a horse. They have feelings too. Of course I’ll take care of him.” He patted Indy’s head. “Plus, you gave him to me. I’ll always cherish him.”
“Ozzie.” I bridged the gap between us. “I know what Carter did to you was vile, but please don’t let it ruin what we have. We genuinely love each other. That’s something he couldn’t manufacture.”
“I hate him, Gray. I hate your son. How is this relationship between us going to work?”
“I’m none too fond of him myself right now, but Carter is a grown man. He needs to make right his mistakes and learn from them. But I will not let him come between us. We won’t let him. These weeks with you have been the happiest in decades. I won’t let that go because my son’s an ass.”
Ozzie brushed his hand off the horse’s mane, his fingers trembling ever so slightly.
“What do we do now?”
“We love each other,” I said firmly. “We move forward. We start a new chapter. We start our own story, Ozzie. One that isn’t influenced by Carter or Emma or anyone else. Let’s write our story our way.”
He turned to me, his gaze searching my face as if looking for signs of doubt, of hesitation. But he would find none. I was certain about this. Certain about us.
“And how do we do that?”
I took his hand in mine, our fingers slotting together perfectly. Hopefully, he could see the sincerity in my eyes.
“We live,” I said simply. “We enjoy every moment together, and we make each other happy. Isn’t that what love is all about?”
“I left my job because of Carter. If I stay here…what am I going to do?”
“You don’t have to work a day in your life if you don’t want to, Ozzie, and if you do—when you find out what you want to do—I’ll be behind you all the way.”
“You make it all sound so simple.”
“It’s life. I know it won’t be simple, but it’ll be much better because we’re facing it together. Can you trust me on this? Do you know where I see us in a few years, Ozzie? You as my husband, our ranch thriving, maybe a few more horses you can spoil, and if you want…maybe even a child.”
Ozzie’s mouth fell open. “Hu-husband?”
“Yes, Ozzie. I’ll be your groom the next time you decide to walk down the aisle. After everything that’s happened, I know you’re a little gun-shy, and that’s fine. I’ll wait for you to be ready.”
“And a child?”
“If you want. You’re amazing with kids, and seeing you with Hudson’s daughter, I can’t help but think that you’d make a wonderful father.”
“You think so?”
I took the brush from him and dropped it to the floor. With my hands planted on his hips, I pulled him forward until we were toe to toe. “I know so. You’re a wonderful man, Ozzie, and I can’t wait to start the next chapter of my life with you.”
His gaze flitted from my eyes to my lips, then back again. His chest rose and fell as he took in deep breaths.
Then he nodded.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
Laughing, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into an embrace. The horses whinnied around us. The scent of hay, horse, and Ozzie filled my nostrils, and I inhaled deeply, ingraining this moment into my memory. It was a new beginning—a fresh start for both of us.
“You’ve just made me the happiest man alive,” I whispered, then kissed him. “I love you.”
Ozzie slipped his fingers into my hair and tugged my head back. “You promise to love me forever, Gray?”
“Nothing, and I mean nothing, can make me ever stop loving you.”
As if that was all he’d ever wanted to hear, Ozzie pulled my head down to his and kissed me as if sealing my promise. A promise I would never break.
Ozzie, when you’re ready, I’ll be your groom.