Page 46 of Saddled in Secrets (Cloverleaf Meadows #2)

B ianca might be in the driver’s seat, but I still rush around the hood to open her door. My fiancée beams at me and opens her arms, allowing me to hug her. But when I try to scoop her off the seat, she yelps and pulls away. The look she gives me is a harsh scold.

“No lifting,” Bianca chides.

“Princess.” I tug her forward. The sutures in my side tug from the movement, but I’m not letting it stop me.

“Nope.” She slinks out on her own, much to my displeasure.

“Have it your way, but I have a surprise for you,” I whisper against her puckered lips.

After a gentle kiss, she sighs with a smile. “Why am I not the least bit shocked?”

“This is kind of a big one.”

Suspicion pinches her features. “What did you do, Stalker?”

“Don’t give him all the credit.” Frankie appears from behind the house. “It was more of a group effort.”

“That’s what happens when the hospital won’t release me for a week.”

“Could’ve been a lot longer,” my cousin quips. “I’ve been keeping the place running for you.”

“Appreciate it. Good to have you on our side.”

Her glare is sharp as she jabs a finger at me. “That could’ve been a lot sooner. Walker was right that you abandoned us. My brother is a lost cause—and arrested, by the way—but I would’ve left with you.”

I wince. “You were just a kid.”

“But haven’t been for years.” She exhales and waves at the dirt we’re airing. “Didn’t mean to dampen the mood. That’s a discussion for another day.”

Which is when we realize that Bianca is quiet beside me. Her eyes are wide and pinned on Frankie’s dress. She opens and closes her mouth several times without uttering a word. After another muted round, the cat releases her tongue.

“What are you wearing?”

My cousin does a slow spin. “You like it?”

“It’s pink,” Bianca deadpans. To say it’s the complete opposite of Frankie’s whole vibe is an understatement. But I have to admit, she’s rocking it.

“And it has pockets.” Her hands disappear into the folds. “Paisley found them online. The super fast shipping was key.”

“Ooooh, good timing.” The blonde strolls up to our small gathering.

Bianca sputters at the sight of her friend wearing an identical dress. “What’s going on?”

Rather than answer, Paisley winks at me. “We’re ready when you are.”

Frankie and her link arms before retreating their steps. Bianca watches them until they disappear from sight. When her eyes swivel to me, the green is warm with affection.

“We’re having an engagement party?”

I cough into my fist. “Well, shit. Didn’t even consider that.”

She spins on her heel and begins stomping across the driveway.

Spud bursts free from the barn, immediately followed by the rest of Bianca’s dogs.

Her hasty stride stops abruptly. When she realizes each one of them has a black or pink bow tie attached to their collar, her forehead creases in the middle.

But the pieces truly click together once she looks back at me.

I finish tightening the silk tie around my throat. “Thought we might get married, baby mama.”

Her eyes expand into saucers again. “Today?”

My fingers tug at the cuffs of my black dress shirt. “Right now is good for me.”

“But…” Bianca glances down at her dress, just realizing I told her to change into the white one after our pitstop earlier. “Holy shit, you’re like next-level sneaky.”

“As if you expected anything else.”

Her jaw is still slack. “You want to get married?”

“If you’re willing,” I reply. “If not, we’ll call it an elopement.”

“Who’s officiating?”

“Is that a yes? I asked your father and he granted me permission.” My smirk is a slow grower, blooming into a full grin.

My beautiful bride shrugs, getting with the program. “Why not? Seems as good a time as any.”

I chuckle and offer her my crooked elbow. “That’s my girl.”

“Soon to be your wife.” She tips her face toward mine for a kiss.

My mouth glosses over hers. “Can’t wait to be your husband.”

“Hey, now,” Brody cuts in. “Save that for my cue.”

Bianca stumbles into me at the sound of her brother’s voice from our makeshift altar.

My best friend stands proudly under the wooden arch that’s covered in daisies.

The rest of our guests—which looks to be only Dennis, Paisley, and Frankie—stand to one side of the shriveled flower gardens.

Fresh blooms will appear in spring, but that’s not what catches my focus.

Cousin Byron and his younger brother are noticeably absent, along with little Ronnie. Jimmy didn’t make the cut.

“You got Brody to officiate?”

“He owed me one for almost ruining everything with you.” I brush the backs of my knuckles along her cheek.

“Consider me impressed,” she exhales as we walk down the petal-strewn aisle.

“Before we get started,” Brody says and gives us a stern glare. “I don’t want to hear any sexy shit, okay?”

My bride snorts. “No promises.”

“You’re just encouraging her,” I tell him.

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Why did I agree to this?”

“Just stand there and look pretty, husband. It’s mostly for tradition.” Paisley pretends to take a picture of him.

“Let’s get this over with. Who wants to go first?”

Bianca gasps. “I didn’t write any vows.”

“Just tell me you love me,” I prompt.

“I do,” she replies obediently.

“One down,” Brody spouts. “Your turn, Colt.”

My bride glares at her brother before refocusing on me.

“I love you, Colton Maxwell Keller. My love came on fast, but it will burn forever. We’re already a family and I’m looking forward to expanding it until your heart is bursting.

Thank you for choosing me. For stalking me.

” That draws a few chuckles from the assembled crowd.

“For abducting me and protecting me. For turning this house into a home. For being my safe space. The list is endless. I understand what it means to be cherished because of you. In return, you deserve to be satisfied and fulfilled in every aspect. That’s my goal in this marriage.

You might have the advantage of loving me for longer, but I’ll make it my mission to prove we’re evenly matched.

Maybe I’ll even gain the upper hand. Especially in the bedroom. ”

“You’re done,” Brody breaks in. “Feel free to drown him in smutty mush on your own time. Got anything short and sweet to say, Colt?”

“Don’t appreciate you interrupting her.”

“Complain to the boss. Oh, wait.” He flips me off. “I don’t care. Spill your guts or let me wrap this up.”

Bianca leans toward me and hitches a thumb at her brother. “Big mistake hiring this guy, huh?”

I chuckle, holding her hands in mine. “That’s just one thing I love about you, Bianca Jane.

You don’t hesitate to speak your mind. While our relationship started off slightly unconventional, we’ve grown a bond that others can only dream of.

You’re everything to me and I’ll spend every breath in my lungs proving it to you.

What began as an obsession has formed into a love so strong I can’t describe it.

You give love a definition. It’s always been you, Princess. ”

“That wasn’t bad. Okay, time to exchange rings. You’ve already got yours, Bee.” Brody glances at her rock before nudging me. “Nice work, brother.”

I smirk at the compliment while whipping out a set of matching wedding bands. “Don’t forget about these.”

Bianca whimpers. “I didn’t get you a ring either.”

“Been there,” Paisley laughs.

“Comments from the peanut gallery aren’t appreciated.” But Brody winks at his wife like a total sap.

I pass Bianca my thick band before hovering her much smaller version over her finger. “Do you accept this ring as a token of my unconditional love for you?”

Tears glitter in her eyes as she nods. “I do.” After a deep breath, she holds mine out and repeats the words. “Do you accept this ring as a token of my unconditional love for you?”

“I do.”

The weight of the platinum band gliding over my knuckle is long overdue. I fist my hand, making sure this moment is real. Bianca lifts my fingers and presses a kiss just above my ring.

“Allow me to introduce the happy couple,” Brody shouts. “Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Keller. You may now kiss the bride.”

And I don’t hesitate to do so. Bianca is tucked against me in the next breath. Our lips brush softly before letting instinct open us wider. The following exhale is shared into our first kiss as husband and wife. Heat stings my eyes and I clench them shut, treasuring this moment for another beat.

When I pull away, Bianca has a smile waiting for me. “Love you, husband.”

“Love you, wife.” My palm lowers to her stomach. “This baby and any others you bless me with will be swaddled in nothing but pure love.”

I sweep Bianca into a tight embrace, leading her from the altar to the podium that holds our marriage license. She doesn’t question my methods of obtaining it. Her signature is scrawled next to mine. It’s official.

Something loosens in my chest. It feels old and rusty and long forgotten. A soothing warmth fills its space. I laugh for what feels like the first time.

Bianca cups my cheeks, dragging my face down to hers. “Love looks good on you.”

“It’s only possible because of you, my love.” I kiss her passionately, getting lost in her addictive hold on me for several moments.

A throat clears nearby. Frankie is there, not so patiently waiting for us to finish. “Not to barge in, but time is of the essence. I need a place to crash. Your house is about to become the honeymoon suite and I’m not dealing with that.”

“You can stay with us.”

Frankie whirls to face Byron who appeared out of seemingly nowhere. Her eyes narrow. “Do I know you?”

“No, but you’re about to get a thorough introduction.” But first he tips his hat at us. “Congrats on getting hitched. Sorry we’re late. Chance had trouble at the auction barn.” Then his gaze returns to Frankie. “Now, where was I? You’ve been haunting my dreams, darlin’.”

She’s already shaking her head. “Definitely have the wrong—”

“Daddy!” Ronnie is running full speed toward us, but her eyes are fixed on my cousin.

“This is gonna hurt.” Frankie braces for impact.

Byron grunts. “She’s harmless.”

“But I’m not.”

And with that, I take my bride away from their drama. We don’t need it on our wedding day.

“Where to, groomy?” Bianca gazes up at me with so much affection I can feel it pumping in my veins.

I drop my forehead to rest onto hers. “You choose. It’s best when you follow your heart.”

“Let’s get saddled in secrets and ride off into the sunset. That’s how the most unforgettable happily ever afters begin.” She threads her fingers through mine, tugging me toward the house.

I hold my ground. “You’re going the wrong way.”

My wife laughs when I nod toward the barn. “Did you think that I’d actually let you get on a horse in your condition? Straight to bed for you.”

“But—”

Her finger smooshes against my lips to silence my rebuttal. “There are countless interpretations of riding off into the sunset. We’re going to take a more unexpected route until you’re fully healed.”

“Our story definitely follows along with that,” I’m quick to agree.

Bianca twirls in my arms, a carefree giggle escaping her. “Prove it, Stalker.”