Holding You (Love Wanted in Texas 3)

Grinning from ear to ear, I replied. “I did, but we are going to the barn.”

Lauren attempted to stop walking but I guided her on with my arm. “No seriously, Colt. I’m really hungry and I’m not in the mood to go to the barn.”

Opening the back door, I motioned for Lauren to head outside. Rolling her eyes and letting out a frustrated breath, she marched down the steps and to the barn. She was walking ahead of me so I couldn’t see the adorable pout I was positive she was wearing.

“Hey, Lauren, before you go in will you wait for me please?”

Lauren instantly stopped walking and turned to me. Yep. There was that cute little pout of hers. God I loved her.

Stomping her foot, Lauren whined. “Colt! I’m really, really, really hungry!”

Taking her hand, I walked us into the barn. The first person I saw was Scott. Smiling from ear to ear he gave me a thumbs-up as Lauren placed her hand over her mouth. “Oh, Colt.”

Every single horse had their heads leaning out of the stall doors. Scott had set up a small round table in the middle of the barn. We didn’t want to use real candles so he had LED candles sitting in the middle of the table. There were two place settings and the salad had already been placed onto the table. Turning to me, Lauren slowly shook her head. “Did you plan this?”

Grinning, I nodded my head. “I did.”

Wearing a dazed look on her face, Lauren whispered in a disbelieving voice, “Why?”

Cupping the sides of her face with my hands, my thumb wiped away a lone tear making its way down Lauren’s beautiful face. “Because I love you, sweetheart. And I’m going to miss you fiercely while you’re on your girls’ trip.”

Lauren placed her hands over mine as she closed her eyes. “Colt, I love you so much. You make me feel as if I’m living in a fantasy.”

Clearing his throat, Scott walked to us. Taking a step back, I broke the contact between Lauren and I. Placing his hand on my shoulder; Scott gave it a slight squeeze. “You did good, son. Now don’t keep her out too late. They’re leaving early in the morning.”

Nodding my head, I said, “No, sir, I won’t keep her out late.”

Glancing back to Lauren, Scott leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Enjoy your evening, baby girl.”

Sniffling, Lauren whispered, “Thank you, Daddy.”

Reaching for Lauren’s hand I led her over to the table. Pulling out her chair, I waited for her to sit down and then pushed her chair in. Making my way over to my chair I couldn’t help but notice Lauren’s face. She wore the most amazing smile. “Tell me what you’re thinking this very moment.”

Pressing her lips together, she took her napkin and placed it onto her lap. “That Grace would call you an overly romantic bastard . . . or something along those lines . . . if she saw this.”

Laughing, I nodded in agreement. “Yeah she probably would.”

“Colt, I love this so much. I was starting to feel a little down about leaving you and—” Wiping a tear away she continued. “Well, you just do something like this and make me fall more in love with you if that’s even possible. I’m going to miss you so much.”

Reaching for her hand, I moved my thumb across her delicate skin. My heart felt as if it was about to burst. “I’m going to miss you too, but you’re going to have so much fun, it will fly by.”

Looking down, she whispered, “I hope so, cause right now, I don’t want to leave you.”

Squeezing her hand, Lauren looked at me. “I have a fun night planned for us. I promise, tomorrow the excitement to go on your trip will be there.” Nodding, Lauren gave me a weak smile. “Eat up, sweetheart, the night is young and I promised your daddy I wouldn’t keep you out late!”

Giggling, Lauren picked up her salad fork and went to town. It didn’t take Lauren long to figure out that I had the food catered from her favorite restaurant in Fredericksburg, Pasta Bella. The second they placed the manicotti with garlic mushroom and alfredo sauce down in front of her she snapped her he

ad up at me with her mouth gaped open in surprise. “Pasta Bella?”

Winking, I motioned for her to eat. “I know how much you love that place.”

Taking a bite, Lauren rolled her eyes and let out a moan. “Oh my glitter. This is so good. It gets better every single time. How did you do this?”

“I have my ways.”

Tittering, Lauren shoved a hefty bite into her mouth. We spent the rest of dinner talking about the girl’s trip. I was scared shitless and I know Luke and Will were also, but we couldn’t treat them like little girls. They were grown women and I had to just let go of the fear.

Leaning back in her chair, Lauren looked full and happy. “You feel like going on an surprise adventure?”