Until Lilly (Until, #3)(62)

“I can see why you like it out here.” His hand reaches around his back, grabbing mine and bringing it between us. “I like this.” He smiles.

“I love it.”

“No, I like knowing that people will see this and know that you’re taken.”

“You’re an idiot.” I laugh. “Will you wear a ring?” I ask. I know a lot of men don’t; my dad doesn’t, and he is more in love with my mom than the day they met.

“Yes,” he says in a way that I know he really likes the idea.

“I wonder what the kids will say.”

“They’ll be happy. I thought about involving them in asking you, but I knew that the minute I told them, they wouldn’t be able to keep the secret.

“This has been the best day ever.”

“Even with the moose attack?” I laugh, shaking my head.

“Well, that was scary, but what happened afterwards made it well worth it.”

“True.” He smiles and kisses my forehead. “What do you say we go back to your parents and share the good news?”

“Yeah,” I agree, and we walk back to the truck. The whole way home, we talk about our future, and when we get to my parents’ house, we are greeted with two very excited kids, and my parents are beyond happy for us. It really is the best day ever. I am sad to be going back to Tennessee, but also excited to be starting a new chapter with Cash when we get there.





*~*~*





“It’s a sign,” Cash says, and I almost laugh, but I can tell he is being completely serious.

“It’s not a sign; it’s bad weather and a lack of available hotels,” I reply, looking out the window of our hotel room in Las Vegas. We were supposed to have a short layover in Vegas, but the weather changed, and tornados have been touching down all over the south. So they canceled all flights, leaving us to spend the day and night in Vegas.

“No, that is a sign,” he says, pointing down at The Little Chapel of Love that is across the street from where were we’re staying for the night.

“We’re not getting married here.” I laugh.

“Oh yes, we are. It’s meant to be.”

“You just asked me to marry you the day before yesterday. I haven’t even gotten used to the idea that I’m your fiancée.”

“Good, then it won’t be difficult for you to get used to the idea of being my wife.”

“You’re crazy.”

“No, I’m a genius.”

“Cash.”

“Lil, I love you. You love me. Our kids are here. It’s perfect.”

“I don’t even have anything to wear,” I tell him. I have no idea why I’m even considering this; I must be just as crazy as he is.

“You and Ashlyn go dress shopping while Jax and I go get our tuxes, and we will meet you across the street at five,” he says, and the hive of honeybees that is always in my stomach when he’s around starts to move even more rapidly.

“This is crazy,” I whisper, looking at the small white chapel.

“This is perfect.” His arms around my waist give me a squeeze. “What does it matter if we do it now or in a few months?”

“Um…my parents. Your parents,” I remind him.

“They will be fine, and we can plan a party.”

“You’re really serious about this aren’t you?”

“One-hundred percent serious.”

“Okay, well then, let’s do this.” I smile, my belly flipping over.

“I thought I was going to have to try harder to convince you.” I feel his body relax behind me, but his arms squeeze me a little more tightly.

“You’re going to be the one to break the news to my parents,” I tell him, not looking forward to that conversation.

“Works for me. Your dad loves me; he’ll be cool,” he says, sounding so sure that I can’t help but to laugh.

“How did you win him over?” I ask. My dad really does love Cash. I know that if my dad had his way, we would be moving to Alaska, and Cash would be working with my dad on his boat and guiding people when they weren’t out fishing. I was even surprised that Austin gave Cash his seal of approval. They had gotten close after Dad had taken Cash and Austin out on a hunting trip. I guess they all bonded while killing poor defenseless creatures.

“I didn’t have to win him over.” He runs his nose along my ear before kissing me underneath it. “I love his daughter; that’s all he needed,” he says, his warm breath causing goose bumps to break out over my skin.

“That may have helped, but you did win him over,” I tell him softly. I don’t know how someone who is so strong can have doubt himself so often. “You’re a good man and an amazing father. A great friend, a goo—”

“Shut up.”

“What?” I turn my head to look at him.

“Stop talking, Lil,” he says, and I can see so many emotions on his face that it makes it hard to breath.

“It’s all true, Cash,” I say lightly. His mouth goes into a flat line, and his eyes close.

“It is, and all of those are the reasons why I’m going to take Ashlyn, go and pick out dresses for us, meet you across the street in a few hours, and tie myself to you in a way that makes it hard for you to get rid of me.” I run my fingers down his cheek.