proposal.”
“Why, Adam.” She batted her eyelashes. “It’s like you want to marry me for real, cowboy. Is that what you’re saying?”
Hope, joy, and love bubbled over in his heart. “Are you proposing to me, woman?”
“Would you say yes if I were?”
He crushed his lips against hers, claiming her, branding her. “I say yes. I love you, Ry.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jodie towed Riley to a corner of the waiting room, her eyes wide as she glanced toward Adam sitting with their mother. “I thought you were making him up!”
Riley shook her head. “He’s very real.” Even though their relationship hadn’t been.
“He’s gorgeous. And hot!” Jodie fanned her face.
He was rather. “I told you what happened.” In two minutes or less, but Riley owed her sister and parents the complete story soon.
“You told me, yeah, but I’d grab a man like him, too, and never let go.”
Riley laughed. “Keep your hands off Adam.”
“Oh, for your sake, I will. And I wouldn’t stand a chance, anyhow.”
“Besides, you’ve got Mick...”
Jodie gritted her teeth. “About him.”
“Yeah?”
“He’s a jerk.”
Riley searched her sister’s face. “What’s going on?”
“I’m pregnant. I thought he’d be happy. All he wanted to know was how I could keep working to support him with a baby.”
“Oh, no.”
“We had a deal, he said. But then he went to a Christmas party without me — since I wouldn’t drink — and hooked up with some other girl.”
Riley folded her arms around her sister. “I’m so sorry. Are you going to be all right?”
“I’m going to stay here with Mom and Dad for a bit while I figure things out. I can help take care of Dad once they release him.”
“That sounds like a good solution. Shouldn’t be too long, right? They’re moving him out of ICU today.”
“How long are you sticking around?”
“A couple of days, I think. Adam needs to get back to Montana for a wedding on New Year’s Eve. His best friend from his rodeo days is getting married.”
Adam had sounded genuinely happy for Sawyer and Anna, even though their story had been mighty rocky, too. It didn’t sound like Mick would pursue Jodie and their baby the way Sawyer had pursued Anna.
“Men just use women to get what they want.” Jodie’s voice was low. “And women put up with it, like Mom has.”
“That’s what I’ve always thought, too. Remember the way they used to fight and then pretend nothing was wrong in public?”
Jodie shuddered. “Do I ever.”
“After the mess Adam and I made over things, I can understand it more. They were sticking together for the sake of us girls as well as Dad’s career. I thought Mom was weak for buckling under, but she made a decision she felt was right. And, somehow, they love each other.”
Was the same thing true for Kathryn and Declan? Adam had told her how upset his mom had been at his attempts to fix things for her, that she didn’t need his help. Riley’s parents didn’t need her help, either. Her prayers? For sure. But not her help.
A movement by the entrance to the unit caught Riley’s attention. The door swung open and a nurse emerged towing a gurney. “Family of Mr. Dunning? He’s on his way to a private room out on the floor.”
Riley crossed the space and grasped her dad’s hand. “You’re looking good.” At least, a whole lot better than yesterday.
He offered her a wan smile but his eyes searched the room until Mom stepped up beside them. She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Riley’s right, Ernie. We’re all glad to see your progress.”
Riley exchanged a smile with her sister. Maybe there was hope for their parents yet. No one had told Dad about Raul, though. He needed to get stronger before they lobbed that one at him. He’d mentored Raul. Trusted him. Encouraged Riley to marry him.
Adam’s hands settled on Riley’s hips from behind, and she leaned back against him. He nuzzled her ear. “I love you.”
This cowboy. He was much more to her liking.
He clasped her hand as they fell into step behind the gurney, with Jodie on her other side.
She couldn’t wait to see what their future would hold. Together.
His best friend’s New Year’s Eve wedding took place in the expansive lower level at Eaglecrest, with a casual reception upstairs before Sawyer and Anna drove off in a black truck festooned with streamers. Fireworks sent the newlyweds off with a bang, to the delight of the children who were present.
Adam held his beloved close in the shadows as the other