“Us?” my father said with a roar of laughter.
My mother gasped. “You and Taylor are the ones who suck at it! You both spilled the beans within an hour of asking her.”
“I’d worry about Courtney. She was the first to cave,” Reed said as he sat down and took a drink of tea.
“Whatever. Come give me a hug, Jase. I’ve already tackle hugged Taylor,” Courtney said.
Walking up to Courtney, I did as she asked. She and Reed had been like my second parents. I was glad they were able to share this day with Taylor and I. We spent the next hour talking to my parents about possibly getting married by the large tank on our ranch. I’d taken Taylor there a few times and she loved it.
Finally putting an end to the early wedding plans, I dragged Taylor away from everyone.
“Time for us to go.” Taylor jumped up and took my hand as we headed out.
“Jase Morris! You can’t always be taking her away like this!”
Without even bothering to look back, I lifted my hand and called out, “See y’all later!”
The sooner we got back to her place the better.
Taylor
I wandered around in the boutique while my mother went on and on about some new hair product she found. My mother’s beautiful red hair was something I always loved. When I was little and needed to get to her right away, she was the easiest mom to find . . . I just looked for her hair. When Meagan dyed her hair brown I was stunned. But then again, Meagan looks amazing as a brunette or a red head.
Sighing, I glanced around. I hated shopping with a passion. I wanted to tell my mother over the phone about the engagement, but Jase and I decided to wait until I picked out a ring and then we would make it official . . . that is if his parents could keep it to themselves.
“Taylor, you seem a million miles away.”
Trying to force a smile, I nodded. “Nah, I think I’m just tired.”
“Are you still liking your job?”
That was one thing I did love talking about. My job!
“Yes!” I replied with excitement in my voice. “It’s so different and something new every day, I swear. You wouldn’t think so with it just being horses, but there is so much that goes into taking care of them on every level. It’s been really great being able to help the business save money.”
She tilted her head and looked at me adoringly. “You sound so happy. So much more than when you were working for Granddad.”
“Ugh,” I mumbled. “How has Daddy worked for him for so long? No wonder y’all moved so far out.”
Giggling, she shook her head and said, “Oh you have no idea, Taylor. None at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say when your father and I were first married, I wasn’t your grandmother’s biggest fan.”
I pulled my head back in shock. “Really? But y’all get along so well.”
“Yeah well, that story needs a good bottle of wine and chocolate.”
With a chuckle, I shook my head and held up a shirt.
“Something else is on your mind though . . . I see it in your eyes.”
I wasn’t sure what was wrong. I felt guilty not telling her about the wedding, but I was more an edge with Jase leaving in two days.
“It’s probably just me feeling sad because Jase is leaving for Wyoming in a few days.”
“Oh? What for? Did you tell me this and I forgot?”
“I think I told you. He’s going with Nate Montgomery to look at a cattle ranch that is all organic. It is one of the top ranches in the country. Nate and Ryder, his brother, helped them convert over the ranch like they are Jase’s family ranch.”
My mother nodded. “Interesting. You wouldn’t think there would be that much to it but I guess you have to be certified and all of that.”
“Yeah, it’s crazy insane.”
“He’ll be fine, sweetheart. Don’t worry.”
Feeling the tears build, my eyes caught my mothers. “Oh, Taylor, come on let’s go find a place to sit down.”
I felt like a fool for over reacting the way I was. Once we got outside, my mother guided us over to a bench where we sat down. Quickly wiping my tears away, I let out a muffled laugh. “I’m not sure why I’m so emotional.”
Pushing a loose piece of hair behind my ear, she gave me a look of understanding. People walked by us like they didn’t even notice us sitting there. I could smell the wine from all the people walking by holding their stupid samples of wine. I hated that my simple little country town had been turned into a mini wine capital.
Blowing out a breath, I dropped my head back and moaned. “Oh gosh, Mom. What is wrong with me?”
“Nothing. You’re newly in love and the idea of being separated for any length of time sucks.”
I chewed on the corner of my lip. “He’s going in a private plane.”
“So?”
My shoulders sagged. “Nate is flying it.”
She looked at me like I had grown two heads. “Is that a problem?”