Page 161 of Take My Love

Since the wedding rehearsal is for their immediate family only, we won’t need to go until tomorrow afternoon.

“The ceremony isn’t until six, but Aunt Dena said we can come at five for family photos.”

They’re having an intimate evening ceremony in one of their barns with tons of lanterns and fairy lights, so it’ll be super romantic. Then we’ll move to a big, white tent to eat dinner and dance the night away.

“Perfect, so we can actually sleep in is what I’m hearin’…” He waggles his brows.

“Sleep orsleep?”

“Alwayssleep.”

“In that case, I need to lie down for a bit.”

“Are you tired?”

“A little, yeah. But I’m a bit queasy too from that longer drive.”

Willow Branch Mountain and Sugarland Creek are about two hours apart, but it’s super hilly, so it always puts my stomach in knots.

“Go ahead, and I’ll unpack.” He kisses my forehead. “And get your dress hung up.”

“Thank you. Wake me up when it’s time to go to dinner.”

Since my whole family is here, we made reservations to go out to a nice restaurant and I don’t want to miss it.

I danced far too long, ate way too much, and didn’t sleep nearly enough, but the wedding was a blast.

When I wake up Sunday morning, my head’s throbbing from a lack of hydration, and I feel sick to my stomach. Silas’s passed out next to me, buck-ass naked, so I crawl out of bed in search of water and maybe some crackers.

There’s no water left and the bucket of ice has long melted, so I slip on my pj shorts, a tank, and sandals to go in search of something to drink and eat.

I open the door and carefully close it behind me so I don’t wake Silas, but as soon as I turn into the hallway, I find Amelia sneaking out of Colton’s room.

“Oh hey,” I say, surprised to see her here.

She’s one of Delilah’s bridesmaids who lives in the ranch hand duplexes with her two kids. From what I got to know about her, she works as a receptionist at The Lodge on the retreat side.

“Hello,” she says hesitantly.

“You okay?”

She’s still in her bridesmaids dress with her shoes dangling from her hand and her purse over her shoulder.

“Is there any chance you could drive me back to the ranch? My friend Raven watched my kids for me last night, and I gotta get back to ’em.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll grab my keys.”

This time, I let the door slam behind me and shake Silas awake.

“What?” he mumbles against his pillow.

“I’ll be right back. Gonna drive Amelia back to the ranch quickly.”

“Mm’kay.”

He probably has no idea what I said, but I kiss his cheek anyway. “Love you.”

After he rolls over and gives me a sinful view, he grunts out three inaudible words that echo the same sentiment.