Page 74 of Her Elusive Cowboy Billionaire

Chase led them directly to the restaurant, which was open to the public.

They were seated immediately.

The dining room wasn’t very busy, so they were seated at a table with a view of the mountains.

The decor was rather plain with standard booths along the wall opposite the windows.Four top tables with metal legs were arranged in the rest of the space.They had some wonderful paintings of the same mountains that their little group was looking at.

“The food here is good.I can recommend the French dip sandwich if you want lunch, and I believe they serve breakfast all day.”Chase picked up his menu.

So did Rose.

Meri was almost too busy looking at the pictures on the walls to get to her menu, but she finally picked it up and perused the offerings.

Meri placed the menu back on the table.

A server with beautiful auburn hair arrived.“Hi ladies.Gentleman.Do you know what you’d like?”

“I think I’ll have the French dip with the seasoned fries and iced tea,” said Meri.

“Sounds good,” said Rose.“I’ll have the same.”

“Make it three,” said Chase.

A server laughed and took their order.“Well, you all make that easy.I’ll return shortly with your iced teas.”She turned and left.

Rose put her napkin on her lap.“So how does it feel to be married?”

“I don’t feel any different yet.Maybe I will later,” said Meri.

Chase took one of Meri’s hands and kissed the top.“Same here.I think tomorrow, we’ll both feel differently.”He winked.

After they ate, they returned to the ranch.

They arrived in the late afternoon.

“We still have time for a ride.”Chase took Meri’s hand in his.

“I need to change clothes, but I’d love to go riding.”

“I’ll get the horses ready while you do that.”

A grin split Meri’s face.“That sounds like a deal.I’ll hurry though, anyway.”

Chase pulled her close.“I love you, you know.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck.He says the words easily now and I know he really means them.“I love you, too.But I don’t mind hearing it every day.I can’t imagine how I existed before you.”

“Nor I you.”He pulled her tighter to his body, leaned down, and kissed her.

This wasn’t the gentle kiss he’d given her in the judge’s chambers.This kiss curled her toes, and all she could do was hang on.

When he pulled back, he was out of breath.

“Wow!Mr.Harper, you really know how to kiss.And I don’t care how you learned or who taught you.I’m just glad they did, and you were an excellent pupil.”

He laughed.“That’s another reason I love you.You say such irreverent things.”

After he kissed her on the nose, he headed to the barn.