Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113934 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
So much had happened in the last few weeks. We had all graduated two days ago. Skylar had gotten a degree in social work, and Mitch had graduated from UT with a degree in business management. Michelle had transferred back to UT three years ago and had recently found out she had gotten into UT’s law school. I’d ended up switching my degree plan, and I’d graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting with a minor in business.
Not to mention, Sky’s the Limit, the nonprofit we had all tirelessly worked on for the last three years, would be opening this summer in Marble Falls.
“How are you staying so calm?” I asked, staring at my best friend.
He sat with his legs propped up on the chair opposite him. “I’m already married. I’ve done the hard part. I’m happy as hell. I’m officially a partner in my father’s business, and Sky’s the Limit is opening in a few months. Life is pretty damn good.”
Smiling, I sat down. “I’m glad you’re happy, Mitch.”
His grin faded a bit. “Yeah, for a few months, I thought I’d lost her.”
“But you didn’t.”
The corners of his mouth rose into a full-on smile. “No, I sure as hell didn’t.”
We both jumped when someone knocked on the door.
My father walked in, followed by Mitch’s father, Paul.
“You boys ready to head down?” Dad asked.
“Never been readier,” Mitch said as he slapped me on the back. “Wyatt here might need a pep talk though.”
I rolled my eyes and followed Mitch out the door. Stopping in front of Paul, I asked, “How’s Skylar?”
His eyes welled up with tears. “She’s amazingly happy and breathtakingly beautiful.”
I felt a crazy flutter in my chest. “I can only imagine.”
The moment I stepped out and saw everything set up, my emotions bubbled to the surface. It was perfect.
Skylar had worked so hard on planning this wedding. There were times I’d wanted to whisk her away and elope, like Mitch and Michelle had. With starting a new business, finishing college, and planning a wedding while somehow still finding time to work a part-time job for a children’s advocacy center in Waco, Skylar had been beyond stressed. But she never let it show.
Mitch walked up next to me and said, “Holy crap. She did a wonderful job.”
“She sure did,” I said with a grin. Glancing around, I saw Beth and her husband, Craig. “There’s Beth.”
Mitch immediately headed that way. Beth and he had forged a lasting friendship over the last few years. And, once Michelle had transferred back to UT, she and Beth had become even closer friends than they had been in high school. Both Mitch and Michelle had been in Beth’s wedding.
“Holy cow, look at you, my friend. She’s really growing, isn’t she?” Mitch said, walking up to them.
Beth laughed while rubbing her eight-month pregnant belly. “She sure is. I feel like a whale.”
“You look lovely,” Mitch replied before he gave Craig a quick bro hug.
Reaching my hand out, I shook Craig’s hand and then kissed Beth on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Beth.”
She blushed. “You always were a charmer, Wyatt. Hey, I hear Sky’s the Limit is opening this summer.”
I nodded my head. “It is.”
“You know, I’ve got a paint horse that doesn’t get ridden nearly enough. She’d make a wonderful therapy horse, and I wouldn’t feel so guilty about her just being in the pasture. I’ll pay for her feed and vet care if she can hang with y’all for a bit.”
Looking at Mitch and then back to Beth, I asked, “Are you serious?”
“Yes. I hate thinking that she’s not getting any attention from me and that she won’t for a while. If y’all are open to having her, I’m willing to set it up.”
Mitch turned to me. “You know, I never considered boarding horses and using them for therapy. Do you know how many people would probably jump at the chance to board their horses like this? Why didn’t we think of that?”
Laughing, I hit him on the back. “Looks like you have another item to add to your list.”
Everyone else laughed.
“I can bring her by the ranch anytime you want. Just let me know,” Craig said.
“Skylar and I will be moving into our house on the ranch once we get back from our honeymoon. I’ll give you a call, and we’ll schedule it.”
Craig reached out for my hand once more. “It’s a plan.”
The wedding planner Skylar’s mother had hired walked up to us. “Excuse me, gentlemen. If you’ll take your places, the ceremony will be starting soon.”
“Wait. What? It’s starting?” I said with panic laced in my voice.
“You’re not nervous, are you, Smith?” Beth asked.
“Nervous? No. It just seems like it’s a little too early to start. Doesn’t it seem early?”
The wedding planner shook her head. “Nope. We are right on time.”
Mitch clapped his hands together. “Right. Okay, well, let’s do this. The best man is ready.”