Page 10 of Her Grumpy Cowboy (Courage County Standalones #1)

Walker

“Did you see her?” I ask River as I tug on my tie.

The damn thing feels like it’s strangling me, and my palms are damp with sweat.

I haven’t been this nervous since I got on Blue, the bull that was mean as a rattlesnake and nearly killed two of my fellow riders.

But this is a different kind of nervous, the good kind that has me thinking of my woman.

I haven’t seen her in three days. That’s three days too long and the moment I get her alone, I’m spanking that pretty ass for putting me through this.

“Yeah, I saw her,” River grunts. Lily squeals in his arms and he manages to juggle her long enough to grab a flask.

He tries to pass it to me to calm my nerves, but I’m not interested in alcohol right now.

There’s only one thing that will soothe me—getting Jenna back in my arms again. “Looks pretty today.”

I growl at him. We’re in the back room of the only church in town. I’m pretty sure that means I shouldn’t throw a punch, no matter how badly I want to. No man should ever be looking in the direction of what’s mine and Jenna is most definitely mine.

He growls back at me. “My wife designed your wife’s dress. Of course, she looks pretty.”

It’s a fair point but I’m not in a gracious mood. I glance at my watch again for the tenth time in the past hour. How is it there’s still fifteen minutes to go before I can stand beside the love of my life and claim her in front of all of Courage County?

“There’s no accounting for her bad taste in men though,” River complains.

Lily tugs on his tie and he glances down at his baby girl. “You’re never leaving Daddy and getting married. You hear me?”

She grins at him, drool dripping down her chin and onto the red dress she’s wearing. She’s the happiest baby I’ve ever met and I’m already thinking about how it’s going to feel when Jenna’s arms are filled with a little one of our own.

I take off my Stetson and run a hand through my hair before plopping down on a bench in the corner. “Was it this bad when you married Mallory?”

“No, but I dragged her to the courthouse. No sense in prolonging the inevitable. She was mine and it was high time the world knew it.” He nods to himself and Lily coos as if in agreement.

It used to amaze me the way the three of them became an instant family then I met Jenna and I get it.

I understand how when you meet the right person, they become an instant part of you.

I could have taken Jenna to the courthouse. It’s what I wanted to do the day after I slid that nine-carat princess cut diamond ring onto her finger. I didn’t want to wait a moment more.

Still, I couldn’t have her thinking that I was ashamed of her or that I was trying to hide our marriage. I’m proud to be with her. I’ll call her mine to anyone that’s willing to listen. So instead of a courthouse ceremony, I insisted on having a wedding here in town.

A big wedding with all of our friends invited. It took three months to put together and I left all of the decisions up to Mallory and Jenna. Whatever makes my woman happy makes me happy.

There’s a knock on the door and the preacher is poking his head inside. “It’s time for y’all.”

We make our way to the front of the church and standing here in front of the altar, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I was given the most amazing woman on earth and I’m going to work hard to make sure she feels loved and wanted every day for the rest of her life.

The music swells and I wait impatiently as the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Or wheel as in the case of Mallory. But the entire time, I’m silently willing everyone to go faster because there’s only one person I want to see right now.

As the old organ continues the melody and the doors open at the back of the sanctuary, my breath catches in my throat. There’s my bride. She’s dressed in a floor-length white wedding gown with long, lace sleeves. Her face is glowing as she clutches a mix of autumn flowers.

Her hand is tucked in the crook of her father’s arm. The night after we got engaged I went to him and demanded that he set things right. I made it clear that he’d never get to spend time with her or his future grandchildren if he didn’t make some changes.

He went to his first AA meeting that morning. He went every day for two months until he showed up on my doorstep to make amends with his daughter. They both cried and he told her how sorry he was. He’s working on repairing their relationship though it’ll take more time.

He wasn’t originally invited to the wedding.

But Jenna came to me a week ago and asked if I had any objections to her father giving her away.

I explained that as long as he stays in treatment and speaks kindly to her, he’s always welcome in her life.

But if he ever reverts back to his old behavior, he’ll be out on his ass.

I won’t tolerate anyone being cruel to my wife.

I’m her protector and first line of defense now. That’s what I’ll always be.

I know the moment that Jenna’s eyes lock with mine because a big smile lights up her face. It’s probably the same grin I’m wearing.

I used to be a grumpy cowboy but ever since meeting Jenna, I have a thousand reasons to smile every day. I look in the mirror and barely recognize myself because I’m so damn happy.

Her slow walk down the aisle with her swaying hips has me thinking things that I definitely shouldn’t be while standing in the middle of church. But I can’t help it because this woman gets me going. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing. I can’t get enough of her.

When her father passes her to me, I give him a solemn nod. He knows he’s on thin ice with me. I made that very clear last night when I warned him not to mess up her big day. Judging from his expression, he didn’t mind at all. If anything, he seemed to admire that I was standing up for his daughter.

“Hi,” Jenna mouths when I take her hands in mine. Her palms are so soft and the love shining in her eyes floors me. I’ll spend the rest of my life working to be worthy of that look from her.

“Hi,” I mouth back. It’s been three days since I’ve gotten to say that to her face-to-face. Three days since I’ve gotten to taste these luscious lips and sink into her tight little body.

She touches the locket around her neck and gives me a small smile. It’s what I had River deliver to her earlier today. It’s a heart-shaped locket with a picture of her mother in it. I wanted her to know that her mother is always with her.

We repeat our vows since Jenna opted for traditional ones. Finally, it’s time to kiss my beautiful bride. She blushes when I lift the veil and I’m already looking forward to a long honeymoon. I’m taking her to Niagara Falls because she’s always wanted to see it.

“I love you,” I murmur right before I press my lips to hers. She still tastes sweet and tantalizing. Despite our audience, I take my time kissing her. Because she’s my wife and I don’t care who’s watching.

When I pull away, she grins up at me. “Is it time for the honeymoon yet?”

I chuckle and the sound is covered by the pastor announcing us as man and wife.

I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’ll be forever grateful for this curvy woman who stumbled into my barn.

She fills my bed with her warmth and my home with her laughter.

She fills my heart with her love, and I’ll spend the rest of my life loving her back.