Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas 3)

Nodding my head, I turned to kiss my father, then my mother. “See you at home?”

Giving me that smile that has made me feel safe since I could remember, my mother said, “Be careful driving, Colt.”

Reaching out, Colt shook my father’s hand, then kissed my mother on the cheek. “Yes, ma’am.”

Opening the door to his truck, Colt helped me up and buckled me in. Giving me that melt-my-panties smile, he placed his hand on the side of my face and whispered, “You’re forever mine, Lauren Ashley Reynolds.”

Becoming acutely aware of my own heartbeat, my fingers ached with the need to touch Colt. “Care to make that Lauren Ashley Mathews?” Colt’s eyes turned dark as his mouth opened slightly. A shiver ran across my entire body.

“When?” Colt asked in a whispered kiss against my lips.

Slightly parting my legs, I internally begged for him to touch me. “As soon as we can,” I stuttered.

Holding in his breath, Colt smiled as he pulled back and shut the door. Watching him jog around the front of his truck, I wiped my sweaty hands on my shorts. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to make it without being with him. It felt as if our connection had grown stronger since I had gotten sick.

Jumping in, Colt reached over and hit play on this stereo. When his iPod started playing, I couldn’t help but smile when I heard “Say You Do” by Dierks Bentley begin playing. Colt had played it the night we shared our first real kiss. Ever since then, I must have listened to it at least twice a day.

“I love this song,” I said as I turned to Colt. Smiling, he nodded his head and looked back at me.

“I know.”

Leaning my head back, I felt my body warm. Just being with Colt and knowing he was going to wrap me up in his arms when we got home had my heart fluttering. Closing my eyes, I slowly drifted off to sleep.

MY FATHER AND I rode along the fence line in silence. I’d been waiting for him to have this talk with me since Lauren came home from the hospital almost two weeks ago.

Clearing his throat, I turned slowly and looked at him. His posture was rigid and I knew he had a lot on his mind. “Dad, I need to talk to you.”

Nodding his head, he stared straight ahead. “I figured as much, son.”

Letting out a long exhale, I decided the best thing to do was to just come out with it. “I’m not going back to A&M.”

I held my breath while I waited for him to lay into me about how irresponsible I was being. Nodding his head, he kept riding as he stared straight ahead.

Clearing his throat, my father began to speak. “This morning I was thinking about when Alex left for college a few years back. The mistake I made by pushing my plans on her and what happened in the end.”

Stopping my horse, my father turned to face me. “Dad, what happened to Alex was not your fault or Alex’s fault.”

Giving me a weak smile, my father let out a deep breath. “I know, Colt. But I vowed I would never step in and interfere with my kids’ lives again. I’m not going to lie, I’m disappointed you’re not going back, but at the same time I’ve never been more proud of you.”

Pulling my head back in shock, my mouth dropped open. “Why?”

Letting out a gruff laugh, he continued to talk. “Why? Well for one, you knew what meant the most to you and that was Lauren. When your coach told you to either be at the game or lose your starting spot, and you picked staying with Lauren . . . well . . .” Shaking his head and smiling slightly, he said, “It showed how much you love Lauren and would do anything for her. Don’t think Scott and Jessie don’t know that, Colt. They know what you walked away from and they couldn’t be more proud of you as well.”

“I love her, Dad. The thought of losing her did something to me. It . . . I don’t know . . . it changed the way I think about everything, not just football and college. Lauren getting sick and almost dying showed me that each day is a gift and I don’t want to take it for granted. I don’t want to miss a minute of anything.”

Giving me a smile, he looked away as if he was thinking about what he was going to say next. Before looking back at me he asked, “Your plans?”

This was it. I’d already had this conversation with Scott and Jessie this morning with Lauren. Now it was time for my father. “This morning I spoke with Scott and Jessie.” He nodded as if he knew this bit of information. “Lauren had already decided she was not returning to school. Scott and Jessie didn’t argue with her at all. I think they’re just happy she’s here, ya know?”

“I can’t even begin to imagine what that was like for them, so yes, I totally understand their thinking.”

Fidgeting in the saddle, I ran my hand over my head and let out a sigh. Holy hell. I was going to tell my father I wanted to quit school and work for Scott full time. What would he do? Laugh? Shout? Tell me I was out of my damn mind? Taking in a deep breath, I slowly blew it out. “I’m going to work for Scott full time, Dad. I’m not going back to A&M. I’ve asked Lauren to marry me, and I honestly don’t want to waste anymore time. I know what you’re going to say, and well, I just hope that you and Mom will be able to—”

Holding up his hands to get me to stop talking, he laughed. “Colt, my gosh, will you give me a chance to respond before you go into full-blown defensive mode.”

Shaking my head, I looked down to clear the thoughts running rampant in my head. “Right, of course. Sorry, Dad.”

“May I talk now?”