The Cowboy's Bride Bet - Holly Rayner Page 0,42

don’t like the thought of you being all alone out on that ranch. Not to mention, we’re not getting any younger, and I want to have enough energy to have fun with my grandbabies when you finally decide to start a family.”

“Well, pump the breaks on the grandbabies.” I chuckled. “We can put a pin in that one.”

“Have you talked to Ashleigh about that yet?” Mom continued. “That’s exactly the kind of thing you need to make sure you’re on the same page about if you’re going to get married.”

“I know, Mama. That’s good advice. But all I know is…” I sighed, trying to formulate a lie they would believe. “I’ve been lonely… for a real long time. I didn’t realize just how lonely till I met her. It’s like, now that she’s here, I can’t stand the thought of things going back to the way they were. I know there have been times when you were ashamed of me.”

“Baby, your father and I have only ever been proud of you.” Mom cut in. “If you’re doing this out of some kind of obligation to us, that’s not a good reason to get married.”

“No, Mama, if you knew the kind of man I was, you would be ashamed of me.” I swallowed hard, feeling something shift inside of me as my lie turned to honesty. “I’m ashamed of myself. I’ve never put the feelings or needs of another person over my own, not once in my entire life. I’ve never wanted to.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” My mother’s voice softened.

“This girl…” I rubbed my temple. “She makes me want to help others and realize that there’s more to life than me and my ranch. I love her because… because I’m a better man when I’m with her.” There was a long silence on the other end of the line. “Mama, are you there?”

“I’m here, Connor.” She sighed. “We’re behind you, baby. If you think this is the right thing for you, your father and I will back you up with all our hearts.”

“That’s good to hear.” A lump formed in my throat, and my voice cracked as I blinked to keep my eyes from tearing up. “I love you guys.”

“We love you too, baby.” Mama sniffled. “I’ll be by tomorrow with my wedding dress so that she can walk down the aisle in something presentable. We’ll probably have to make a few alterations, let out the bust a little bit.”

“Nice,” Dad said in the background. “Good job, son!”

“Eugene!” my mom snapped. She sighed. “Leave it to your father to be crude and ruin a tender moment.”

“I don’t think Ashleigh needs a wedding dress,” I tried to interject. “It’s probably just going to be a quick, simple ceremony.”

“That’s just ridiculous.” My mother brushed off what I said. “Have Ashleigh call me, and we’ll work out wedding plans.”

“We’re just goin’ down to the courthouse on Saturday.” I shook my head. “I think the idea of a big wedding where her family can’t be there would be a little too emotional. We just want to make it official and maybe do a big wedding later on.”

“Why can’t her family be there? Is she an orphan?” She gasped. “Is she one of those escaped cult survivors? I saw a whole documentary on that on the television the other day; it is absolutely horrifying what those girls go through!”

“I really can’t go into a whole lot of detail, but I’m sure she’ll feel comfortable opening up to you about it in time.”

I couldn’t blame my mom for wanting to know about Ashleigh’s family. I hoped that she’d open up to me about her life, but I was trying my best to respect her privacy. Maybe after the marriage certificate was signed and official, she’d realize that whatever trouble she was in, she didn’t have to face it alone.

“I gotta go, Mama,” I said. “I love you, and we’ll talk soon.”

“Good night, baby,” she answered. “We’re here for you. Whatever you need.”

There was no question. I had terrific parents. Some people would say it didn’t make a lot of sense that I’d avoided starting a family of my own for so long. But I grew up rolling my eyes when people said how sweet my folks were. They’d always acted like teenagers, holding hands at the grocery store and snuggling up at the local drive-in once a month. That was never something I’d felt I needed, or even wanted.

Now it was like I’d suddenly been made aware of a