Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
I can’t breathe. I can’t move. All I can do is stare as he swings off the horse in one smooth motion, his boots hitting the ground with a confidence that sends a shiver down my spine.
He strides to the end of the aisle, standing tall and commanding, his rough-hewn edges softened only slightly by the way Carson tugs at his pant leg, bouncing with excitement. Duke, the loyal cattle dog he is, sits patiently beside them, the custom-made pouch carrying our rings tied neatly around his collar.
Carson’s beaming smile calms the nervous flutter in my chest. He waves, calling out, “Mommy Layla! You look so pretty!”
Laughter ripples through the crowd, and I can’t help but laugh too, my cheeks warming as I step forward. My father isn’t here to walk me down the aisle—and I wouldn’t have wanted him to be—but that doesn’t matter. Every step feels like a reclamation of my life, my choices, my freedom.
As I move closer, Cal’s gaze never wavers. It’s heavy, intense, and filled with so much unspoken emotion that I feel like I might crumble beneath it. But I don’t. I lift my chin, meeting his eyes with every bit of the strength I’ve found since I came to Devil’s Peak.
When I finally reach him, he takes my hands in his, his rough palms grounding me, tethering me to this moment.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmurs, his voice low enough that only I can hear. His thumb brushes over my knuckles, sending a jolt of electricity through me.
“And you’re impossibly overdressed,” I tease, gesturing to his shirt and jeans, even though he looks sinfully good. “Couldn’t wrangle up a tie?”
His lips twitch into a smirk. “Figured you’d appreciate the view.”
Zane Warner, our acting officiant, clears his throat, drawing our attention, and the ceremony begins. Carson stands proudly as the ring bearer, holding onto Duke’s collar and beaming up at me like I’ve hung the moon. My heart clenches, full and brimming as I glance between him and Cal, the two pieces of my soul I never knew I needed until now.
The vows come naturally, every word spilling from my lips like they’ve been waiting to be spoken my entire life. When Cal speaks his, his voice rough but steady, I feel tears prick my eyes.
“You’re not just my wife,” he says, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’re my best decision, my forever. You’ve given me and Carson something I didn’t think we’d ever have—a home.”
When he slips the ring onto my finger, his hands are steady, his touch lingering just enough to make me shiver. And when Zane finally declares us husband and wife, Cal doesn’t waste a second. His arms wrap around me, pulling me flush against him as his lips crash onto mine, claiming me in front of everyone.
The crowd erupts into cheers and whistles, but all I hear is the steady beat of his heart against mine and the warmth of his kiss, solidifying everything I’ve ever wanted in this life.
The reception is as lively as I expected with Cal’s friends—Ridge, Zane, Slate, Grady, Fox, and Liam—leading the charge. They toast to Cal, their words filled with teasing banter and heartfelt sincerity.
“To the grumpiest cowboy in Devil’s Peak finally being tamed,” Ridge announces, raising his glass. “Layla, you’ve done the impossible.”
The crowd roars with laughter, and I shoot Ridge a playful glare. “Tamed? More like upgraded.”
Cal chuckles beside me, his arm draped possessively around my waist. He leans in, his lips brushing my ear as he whispers, “Don’t let them fool you. You’ve got me wrapped around your finger.”
I glance up at him, grinning. “Good.”
The night is filled with laughter and love, the barn alive with music and dancing. Carson steals the show on the makeshift dance floor, pulling me and Cal into a silly, uncoordinated routine that leaves all three of us breathless with laughter. Duke lounges nearby, his tail wagging lazily as he watches his family—our family.
As the night winds down, I step outside to catch my breath, the cool mountain air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the barn. The lake shimmers under the moonlight, and I can’t help but feel like I’m living in a dream.
Cal finds me moments later, his boots crunching softly against the gravel. He wraps his arms around me from behind, pulling me against his chest as we gaze out at the water.
“Regretting it already?” he teases, his voice low and rough.
I laugh, leaning into him. “Not for a second.”
He presses a kiss to the top of my head, his hold tightening. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me now.”
I turn in his arms, my hands resting on his chest as I look up at him. “And you’re stuck with me. Think you can handle that?”
His smirk softens into something deeper, his fingers brushing my cheek. “I’ll spend the rest of my life trying.”