"We could. We probably should."

"Or we can do something crazy," I say. It's a last ditch effort to keep her and I'm not sure she'll even go along with it.

"Like what?"

"We could drive out to Vegas and get hitched."

"That's ridiculous. We couldn't."

"If we were married they couldn't stop us from being together."

"You have never committed to a woman, and after only about five weeks you're telling me you want to get married?"

"Yeah, that's what I'm saying. You're right, it's ridiculous, but it's a good plan. If you hate me in a couple months or a year you can divorce me. At least we'll be able to figure this out ourselves. You'll be my wife."

"Your wife," she repeats it.

I get down on my knees and wait for her to look at me with her beautiful green eyes. "Marry me, Callie. Let's make it impossible for anyone to come between us. It's time they put the past in the past."

"What about your job? The ranch? They won't get over that. I don't want to move all over the place, or sit at home for months without you."

She's right. Being with her isn't the only decision I have to make. I'm desperate to keep her. I need to choose Callie and my future, or a job that brings me no satisfaction. "That part is easy. I'll quit."

"What will you do for money?"

"I have a rental property. I'll invest my savings and buy one of my parents Bed and Breakfasts, or I'll start a business."

"Like what? I think you've lost your mind. Life isn't this easy."

I'm holding her hands, staring and pleading for her to give me a chance. "We have one life. I've always thought I should live it to the fullest, but my cup has only been half full until you walked into my life. You're the missing piece. We can spend months waiting for this to solve itself, or we can take a leap of faith together as a team. Let's surprise the s.h.i.t out of everyone we know. Be with me. Marry me. Be my wife and we'll figure the rest out together."

"My father will never forgive you."

I shrug. "It's a risk I'm willing to take. You can be daddy's girl forever, or my wife. I know it seems extreme, but I'm asking it anyway."

"Okay," she manages to reply. "I'll do it. I can't promise it will turn into a terrible decision, but at least we'll have the time to try."

"One more thing," I announce. I rush to the kitchen and pull out some aluminum foil, quickly wrapping it into a circular shape. I return and slide it over her finger. "This is temporary. I'll buy you a band when we're in Vegas."

She's laughing at me. "You don't have to."

"I want to. We'll do this part right, just in case it turns out this is exactly where we both belong."

She brings her hands up and cups either side of my face. "When I tell you I love you I mean it."

"When I say it back, it's because I feel it too."

She's whispering as her forehead presses on mine. "I can't believe we're doing this."

I kiss her quickly. "We better get going. It's going to be a long ride, and I don't want you losing your nerve."

She stops me from walking away. "I won't, Jacob."

"I like it when you call me that."

"Why?"

"Because no one else does."

Chapter 23.

Callie It's the middle of the night, but I know if anyone is up it's my sister Ca.s.sie. She picks up on the second ring. I'm shaking so nervously that I'm about to hang up without saying anything, though I know the caller identification will only tell her it was me, so it would be pointless. "Healy."

"It's me, Callie. I'm sorry I'm calling so late, but something important has come up."

"What's wrong?" Right away she reacts, as if I'm in trouble. Ca.s.sie wasn't always on the straight and narrow. She's made terrible decisions in her life, but thankfully met a wonderful man who saw her through her worst. Now that she's turned her life around, and become an investigator, she worries about everyone else. I think it's sweet. She's happy, and that means so much considering the alternative.

"You haven't talked to Mom?" I'm surprised our mother hasn't made a slew of phone calls to announce the situation with Cob. I wouldn't put it past her. Maybe she hasn't gotten to Ca.s.sie yet.

"No. I've been working on a case. I'm having a h.e.l.l of a time on this investigation. You didn't wake me. I just got in bed."

"I sort of have a problem and I kind of need my sister to help me through it." I want to sound needy so she feels obligated to be on my side.

"I'm listening. Callie, what's going on? I'm too tired to keep guessing." Great, she's already annoyed.

"Do you know how mom was married before?"

"Yeah."

"She was married to Cob's biological grandfather, and that's not all." While I explain I watch my boyfriend shaking his head, as if this news still shocks him. "Dad and uncle Ty both had relationships with Cob's mom. Apparently there's bad blood between all of them."

"Holy s.h.i.t. You've got to be kidding? Is he somehow related to us?"

"No. There's something else too."

"I can't even imagine what you're going to say."

"Cob came to Kentucky for his job, but I never told anyone we were dating, because he's in charge of taking some of the Mitch.e.l.l Ranch land to construct a new highway. They hate him."

"Oh my G.o.d, Cal. Are you serious?"

"I couldn't make this s.h.i.t up."

"This is unreal. How are you handling it?"

I shrug, though she can't see me. "Not good. I'm a mess. He's a mess. We tried to break up, but that didn't work. We're not willing to give up on one another because of the family. None of them are considering our happiness. We love each other. We want to be together. Getting married is the only way we can ensure they won't find a way to tear us apart. So my question is simple. How fast can you get on a plane and fly to Vegas?" There's no easy way to lay it on her.

"You're joking, right?"

"No. I'm sorry. I'm dead serious. I'm getting married," I announce. I know her mouth has probably dropped to the floor. I give her a minute to pick it back up. "His mother contacted ours tonight. She called me immediately to tell me I couldn't be with him. She's afraid to tell Dad, because she knows he'll go off. They're adamant that we sever ties immediately. I'm sick of listening to them. They can't dictate my entire life. I've been a good daughter to them. I worked every single day alongside Mom. I helped her out at home, and pitched in as much as I could. It's not like I've gone out and done this to spite them."

"And you think getting hitched is the solution? Don't go off the deep end, sis."

"It's already gone way too far. I need to know I can count on you. Please Ca.s.sie. Please help me."

"You're putting me in a terrible position. You're asking me to go against Mom and Dad. You know how they'll react if they find out. I've already been on their s.h.i.t list, and we're finally in a good place."

"I know. I feel bad for asking."

"Yet you are."

"You're my sister. I need you."

She takes a while to reply. "I don't know, Cal."

Before you make your decision, there's something else I need from you."

"What now? I think hopping on a plane is pretty big."

"Don't tell anyone. If you don't want to get in the middle at least promise you'll take it to the grave. I can't have them hunting me down to try to stop me."

"Callie, you're asking me to skip work, jump on a flight and come watch you marry someone Mom and Dad don't approve of, and keep it a total secret? Are you insane? I don't think I can do it, Cal."

I'm disappointed but understand. "I get it. It was a long shot."

She sighs. "When are you planning on doing this?"

"Um," I'm embarra.s.sed I'm not prepared. "The next few days."

"Let me see if I can take off work and postpone Logan coming home. If I can make it work I'd like to spend a couple extra days there with him, that way I can use it as my excuse for being there."

I'm elated. "Seriously?"

"You're my sister. You can't get married alone. Besides, you always had my back, even when I was making terrible choices. I'll be there for you if I can. I just want you to be sure about this. Marriage is a big deal. Don't you think you should wait?"

"We're doing it. You can't talk me out of it. This is what has to be done. They won't be able to come between us."

"True, but you're making it impossible to be forgiven."

"I have faith things will eventually work out. They can't hate me forever."

Thank you, Ca.s.sie."

"I'll keep you posted. Stay in touch, and don't you dare tell Cammie or Josh I'm doing this."

I laugh. "Your secret is safe with me."

When I end the call I look over at Cob. He's waiting for me to tell him about the conversation and I almost can't contain myself. "She said she'll try to be there for us."

"That's great, babe."

I get the feeling he's already reconsidering. "Have you changed your mind already?"

"No. Why?"

"You seem irritated."

"I have a lot of reasons to be annoyed, Callie. This would all be easier if you were just another notch in my headboard, but we both know you're so much more than that."

"Do you wish I never came into your life?"

He smirks and pulls me in his arms. "Not even for a second."

"We don't have to get married. It's a crazy idea."

"I'm crazy about you, Miss Healy."

"What if someone else comes along?"

"I don't think there will be another woman for me. Just look at the hurdles I've had to go through to make you mine. Face it, you broke me. The player is gone. All that's left is a faithful sap who is completely in awe of you."

"Okay," I shyly p.r.o.nounce. "I'll marry you."

Cob sits down and pulls me onto his lap. "When do you want to leave? Should we drive or look for last minute plane tickets?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Let's fly." He taps on my leg. "You'll need to be there a couple days in order to prepare."

"Prepare for what," I ask.

"Just because we're having a shotgun wedding doesn't mean you have to miss out on certain traditions. I want you to have a dress, a ring, and your favorite flowers. We'll buy the biggest picture package there is."

"You really have become a sap."

"Hey, I can still be an a.s.shole. Take you for instance. I'm stealing a man's daughter right out from under him."

I laugh. "My bags are in my car by the way. How long will we be staying in Kentucky?"

Cob shrugs. "I'll have like a day to move once I hand in my resignation."

"Then where will we go? I mean marrying you is fine, but we need a plan for after the honeymoon."