Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas #3)

My mother nodded her head. “You wanted a tea party and we set it all up under the tree. After everyone left, Colt took you by the hand and led you to the treehouse, then gave you his gift.”

Placing my hand over my stomach, I let my tears fall freely. “Oh my . . . the man was romantic even back then! I just didn’t know it.”

Letting out a chortle, my mother said, “You must have because you married that stupid bear over and over at least fifty times.”

Looking into my mother’s loving eyes, I was lost in the moment. My skin felt as if tingles were moving up and down my body, my heart was beating quickly and I felt breathless. “Mom, it’s like everything has come full circle. Colt truly is my prince charming who saved me.”

“Oh, sweetheart.”

Walking into my mother’s arms, we stood there for a few minutes and cried. It was then I realized my mother wouldn’t be with me on the day I married my prince charming. My heart physically ached.

When I finally came to my senses, I heard Colt and my father talking. Chewing on my bottom lip I said, “I better go finish packing.”

Lacing her arm with mine she nodded her head. “I’ll help.”

Racing through the living room, I yelled out over my shoulder, “I’ll be a few more minutes!”

Colt and my father laughed as I heard my mother say, “We found the perfect dress.”

“Baby girl, slow down,” Daddy said as I raced up the stairs with my mother following closely behind me.

Thirty minutes later I was walking down the stairs with a suitcase in my hand and a smile on my face. Colt looked up at me and I had to catch my breath from the smile he was giving me.

Holy hell. Colt was so handsome. How in the world did I get so lucky to have those blue eyes look into mine with so much love? Oh my glitter. I could practically feel the heat coming off his body.

“Hey,” Colt whispered.

“Hey back at you,” I whispered back as I walked up to him. Taking the suitcase from me, Colt leaned down and kissed me softly on the lips.

I wanted to deepen the kiss so bad, but not with my parents standing right there. For a few brief moments, Colt and I were lost in each other’s eyes. My father cleared his throat, causing us both to pull out of the trance.

“Colt and I were talking, Lauren. With both of you going to be working here, I thought it best that you stay with us when you get back. I’m going to have Aaron and Dewey look at getting the hunters cabin fixed up. Maybe add onto it and expand it some. I think it would make the perfect first home for the two of you.”

Spinning around and facing my father, I ran into his arms. “Oh, Daddy! It will be more than perfect!” Burying my face into his chest, I took in a long deep breath. I loved how my father smelled. Anytime I ever got upset or sad, I would either hug my father or sneak into his bathroom and spray his cologne on my arms. “Daddy, I love you so much.”

Holding me tighter, he kissed the top of my head. “I love you so much more princess. Now go on, you’ve been making poor Colt wait for what seems like forever I’m sure.”

Colt and I both chuckled as I turned and made my way to the front door. This was it. When I walked back through this door I would be married. Mrs. Colt Hunter Mathews. Oh holy shit. I’m going to Vegas. To get married. I’m going to puke.

Taking my hand in her hand I felt my mother’s breath against my ear. “Stop overthinking everything, Lauren Ashley.” Looking at her I whispered, “I’m getting married, Mom.”

Smiling, she pushed a piece of my blonde hair behind my ear and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Yes you are. Send pictures and keep us updated.”

Nodding my head, I whispered, “It’s a long drive but—”

Colt cleared his throat, “Oh, we’re not driving.”

Snapping my head over to look at Colt, I asked, “What?”

Giving me that melt my panties crooked smile of his, Colt gave me a quick wink. “I didn’t want Lauren to have to be in the car for that many hours, so I booked us tickets to fly there.” Peeking over to my father, he was standing up tall and proud as he shook his head. I knew Colt’s actions impressed the hell out of my father, but they touched my heart in more ways than I could ever begin to say.

“Oh my, this boy is good,” my mother whispered into my ear.

Grinning, I nodded my head as I watched Daddy and Colt walk up to Colt’s truck. “He is indeed. That’s why he is the pop to my cherry.”

Seeing my mother look at me, I realized I had just spoken those words out loud. “Lauren Ashley, that wasn’t even funny.”