Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97386 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Cord, Wade, and Trevor were all in the kitchen. I could hear them laughing and talking about heading to a rodeo in Uvalde in a few weeks. Cord was also trying to talk Wade into singing at his place this coming weekend.
I cleared my throat and turned to my father. “So Dad, I had an idea I wanted to run by you this week.”
My father turned his attention to me. “Really? I’ll be interested to hear it. And how do you like working full-time on the ranch now?”
“I love it.”
“Do you miss your other job, son?”
“I really don’t, Dad. I thought I might, but everything is working out like it should.”
“Does anyone want any more tea?” Corina asked.
“I’ll take some, but I can get it,” Tripp said as he went to stand up.
Corina held up her hands to stop Tripp. “I need to stretch my legs. I don’t mind getting it.”
Corina made her way over to the buffet table. I was trying like hell not to smile because I knew exactly what she was doing.
She walked back over and stood right next to Dad as she reached for his glass and filled it up. Tripp looked down at her shirt and his fork froze. He quickly looked at me, and I nodded. He shook his head slowly and let out a slight chuckle.
“I can’t believe it,” he said with a smile.
My father looked at Tripp, confused, before turning his attention to Corina.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” His eyes fell to the writing and baby feet. He stared at the shirt as Corina walked to the other side of him and poured Tripp a drink. My brother winked at her before she walked off.
My dad stood and followed Corina to the buffet table. Everyone stopped talking and watched him. I’m sure they were wondering what he was doing. Amelia jumped up and grabbed Wade, Trevor, and Cord from the kitchen and brought them into the dining room.
“Corina, sweetheart. Will you turn around?” my father asked her.
She slowly did. My eyes burned with tears as I watched her blink to hold back her own.
My father looked down at the shirt. It was almost like time stood still as he let the pieces fall together in his head. “Oh, baby girl, tell me this isn’t a joke.”
Her tears broke free. “It’s not a joke,” she said as her voice cracked.
“Why are Granddaddy and Aunt Corina crying?” Chloe asked.
I heard Paxton whisper something, and Chloe gasped.
Standing, I made my way over to them and stood next to Corina. I wrapped my arm around her waist and placed my other hand over her stomach. “We’re having a baby. We just found out the other day.”
Cheers erupted as my father wrapped Corina and me in his arms. “You’ve just made me the happiest man alive,” he said. After a few moments of holding us, he turned to face everyone.
“Another grandbaby!” he called out.
Chloe stood on her chair, placed her hands together and looked up in prayer. “Please let it be a girl, God!”
Another round of laughter hit the room as Steed picked up his daughter and hugged her. Everyone made their way over to us. Hugs, kisses, handshakes, and congratulations were given.
Amelia hit the side of her wine glass to get everyone’s attention. “There is more news! Because no one in this family likes to keep with tradition, we have another little announcement from Mitchell and Corina. Hold onto your socks, y’all…this is gonna be good.”
All eyes were back on us now. I cleared my throat as I pulled Corina closer.
“Corina and I are getting married tomorrow at sunset at the lookout by the cabin.”
“That’s what you girls were talking about!” my mother said pointing to them. “My goodness, this is exciting! Another wedding!”
Chloe fist-pumped and started running around the room. “Lincoln and Patches can be the flower goats!”
All eyes fell on Chloe, then me and Corina.
With a chuckle, Corina threw up her hands. “Why not! Sounds like a plan to me!”
The rest of dinner, everyone talked about the baby and how in the world they had missed the shirt for so long. Then it was time for wedding talk and my mother, Lori, and Aunt Vi started figuring out food and a tent for the reception. My father barked orders for what time we needed to be up at the lookout to start decorations. It was chaos.
I faced Corina and shook my head. “Are you ready for all of this insanity?”
Placing her hand in mine, she replied, “I’ve never been more ready.”
“You don’t want to run off tonight to Vegas and get married to avoid all this craziness?”
Corina looked past me at the people we loved. She shook her head and laughed. “I love the crazy. I love the chaos.” Her eyes met mine. “I love you.”
I stared into those beautiful blue eyes of hers. Never in my wildest dreams would I have dared to believe I could be this happy. And so very much in love.