Page 89 of The Banker and the Blue Collar Man

“There’s no church in town,” he said. “I called around in Fort Collins. An officiant will be at our spot at eight a.m. tomorrow.”

“Okay.” There would be plenty of time to spruce ourselves up. “What about a license, or?—”

“We need to file together.” He turned in my arms, his back to my front, and reached back to loop one arm around my neck, his other arm across mine, around his waist.

His profile was utterly sharp to me. The flush on his cheeks. A flick of eyelashes as he watched everybody on the ranch having a good time.

“Flowers ordered. Lucas will lead Buddy. Jesse will lead Snowball. Flowers in baskets, like we talked about. And.”

He paused, spinning in my arms once more to put us chest to chest. My heart was pounding. He was so breathlessly beautiful, I could open my mouth but I could not speak.

“Will you ask Xander to be our ring bearer?” Dalton asked. “He’d be the right person for that, I think.”

I had to look away. My jaw worked. My eyes were hot. I blinked. Tried to swallow. Cleared my throat. Failed. Tried again.

What a thing. Not just planning a wedding so neatly, single-handedly. But to suggest including Xander, who reminded me of myself. For whom I wanted to tear down buildings. For whom I wanted the best, to honor Walter.

“Yes,” I said. “I will.”

Xander was along the far wall, sitting on a metal folding chair. He had a half-full paper plate on his lap and was talking to a kid I didn’t know. He was watchful and listening, like he was waiting for clues as to which way he should jump.

He must have felt my eyes, for he looked up. I gave him a nod. His eyebrows went up, and he returned the nod.

In that little bit of silence, I had mentally set my alarm for three a.m. That’d give me enough time to thoroughly groom ourtwo flower bearers, brush them to a shine, and oil their hooves. To make sure their canvas halters were spotless, their manes and tails like shimmering waterfalls.

I would shower and shave. Put on my best clothes. Boots and hat. Then kiss Dalton awake and fetch Xander. It was going to be a beautiful wedding.

Someone approached me, but I was so dizzy with my love for Dalton that I barely noticed them until they nudged me with their elbow. I looked up and saw Jesse, pleasantly glowing with drink.

“Will you two find a fucking room?” he asked, all hard-assed, as though we’d pissed him off. His eyes were shining with laughter.

“Yes, boss,” I said.

“Oh.” Jesse pointed at me with a red Solo cup. “I see a smile. Will that be a habit?”

“Yes, boss.” I tipped my finger to my head as though I were wearing my hat. “I believe so, boss.”

“I’ll make sure it is,” Dalton said, his hands on my chest, his body curved protectively around mine.

Jesse toddled off into the melee. I squeezed Dalton’s hands.

“One stop to talk to Xander,” I said. “Then we’re gone.”

“Yes.”

I led him through the throng in the middle of the barn, over to where Xander sat. The second he saw me, he stood up, plate abandoned on the chair, his companion making a beeline for the door.

The life experiences of those young men had taught them that when someone was looking for them, they were in trouble. Hopefully, with time and patience, they could learn otherwise.

“Mr. Jake.” Xander looked at me with wide eyes. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes. Yes, it is. I need a favor. If you’re up for it.”

“Sure. Sure.” He scraped his hair out of his eyes, his gaze flicking to either side of me as if looking for a quick exit.

I pulled Dalton forward, and he gave Xander a small wave, which was utterly adorable.

“This is my fiancé,” I said. That much he already knew, of course. “We’re getting married in the morning. Can you be our ring bearer? Meet us in the barn at seven thirty?”