Broken Love (Broken #4)(45)

“No! God no. I’m curious that’s all. I’m sure your mom and dad are excited, and I was just … curious.”

“Well, as far as I’m aware, Dani’s is indeed the first grandbaby on the way.”

I smiled and took another bite of the BLT.

“This room is beautiful.”

Ryder looked around as he took another bite and nodded. When he was finished chewing, he turned back to me. “This house is actually going to one of the kids when they get married.”

That peeked my interest. “Really? Who?”

“Well, it was Dani’s first pick, but she had no desire for it. Jennifer’s already said she doesn’t want it, so it comes down to me or Nate.”

Everything made such sense. Vanessa is after the house and the only way to get the house is … marry Nate or Ryder.

“How will it be decided?” I asked.

“Whoever gets married first.”

I swallowed hard. “Married first?”

Ryder smiled bigger and winked. “It’s pretty safe to say I’ve got this one in the bag.”

My stomach felt like I was on a roller coaster. “In the bag?” I croaked out.

“Yep. Hell will freeze over before Nate Montgomery ever marries a woman and settles down. I’m sure to beat him to the altar.”

Disappointment swept through my body like lightning as I quickly looked down at my soup. How silly of me to even get my hopes up like that. Ryder and I barely just started dating.

I forced a chuckle out. “Probably.”

We finished eating the rest of lunch in silence. I couldn’t stop thinking about Kate being pregnant. Of course the idea of Ryder marrying anyone but me about had me feeling sick and I had to force myself to eat.

“Ava? Are you even listening to me?”

My head snapped up as I looked into Ryder’s beautiful hazel eyes. “I’m sorry … what were you saying?”

“So what do you think?”

“About?”

“The house, silly. Do you like it?”

Trying to clear the lump from my throat, I swung my legs around the edge of the bed as Ryder helped me to stand up.

“Yes. It’s beautiful and I can’t wait to see more.”

I’d never seen Ryder’s eyes twinkle like they were. It was almost as if someone was shining a light on them.

“Could you ever see yourself living here?”

Without even thinking, I blurted out my answer. “Yes!”

His hands cupped my face as he brushed his lips across mine. “Good, because you’re the only woman I could see living in this house.”

He pulled me closer as he deepened the kiss. My arms wrapped around his neck as I let the moment take control.

When he pulled back slightly he rested his head against mine as I spoke the only word I could manage. “Ryder.”

“That was my very poor attempt at asking you to marry me, Ava.”

My head pulled back as my eyes widened in shock.

Holy shit balls.

“I wouldn’t say that was a poor attempt. It was the most romantic thing ever,” I said in a breathy voice.

He softly chuckled as he kissed the tip of my nose. “So?”

“So?” I asked.

“How long are you going to make me wait for your answer?”

I was positive I hadn’t smiled this much in weeks as I got lost in his eyes.

“Yes. Nothing would make me happier than marrying you.”

“Even if that meant staying here in Montana?”

I chewed on my lip for a few quick seconds as I let it all soak in. “I can design from anywhere.”

Ryder grinned wide as I felt my eyes begin to water up. Wrapping his arms around me, he lifted me as he pressed his lips to mine.

He broke the kiss just enough to softly say, “I love you, Ava Moore. I love you so much.”

I’d never felt like this before. My heart felt as if it was going to explode in my chest.

“I love you too, Ryder. More than you’ll ever know.”

Another quick engagement.

My father is going to kill me … but once my mother finds out I’m going to be living in Montana … she might kill me first.





December




“RYDER, YOU LOOK like you lost a puppy or something.”

Glancing up, I smiled at my mother. “Missing Ava.”

She grinned as she put some cookies into the oven. “Have you talked to her today?”

“Yeah, first thing this morning. She was going to tell her folks today about the engagement.”

My mother stopped what she was doing and smiled. “I still can’t believe you’re getting married.”

Nate walked in and threw his gym bag on the floor while reaching into the refrigerator for a water. “It’s one and done from here out. Poor bastard.”

With her hands on her hips, our mother shot daggers at Nate. “Nate Montgomery, do not talk like that in my house. You were not raised in a barn so why do you think you can drop your stuff right here in the middle of the floor? And don’t be jealous of your brother.”

With his mouth dropped open, Nate stared at her before throwing his head back and laughing. “Jealous? Oh please, Mom. The last thing I am of Ryder is jealous.”