Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100226 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 501(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“My sister-in-law is kind of badass.” I grin at the others and then reach out to take Erin’s hand again. “I miss you guys. The truth is, I’ve missed you for months. I know that we’re all busy, with men and families and businesses, but it feels like we’ve lost each other a bit in the past year or so.”
“I feel it, too. But we’re always right here,” Summer assures me. “Always. We need to do better about seeing each other, not just when we have an IWC event.”
“Agreed,” Abbi says, nodding. “We can arrange for a girls’ night once a month. We’re not too busy for each other.”
I feel tears threaten as I bite my lip. “Yeah, I’d like that a lot. I have so much to tell you guys. I know you get the highlights from my brothers, but—”
“It’s not the same,” Erin says, squeezing my hand. “It’s not even close to the same.”
“Okay, I actually put makeup on today, so no more getting mushy.”
“People are starting to arrive,” Polly points out, and we turn to see Jake giving carriage rides to the women of the Iconic Women’s Collective and their dates, and suddenly, our guys join us, as if out of thin air.
“You must not have gone far,” I say to Holden as he wraps his arm around my shoulders and kisses my temple. He’s warm and strong, and I freaking love being in his arms. Not to mention, he turns me on with just a look or a touch. And he ravaged me before we came here today.
“Just the paddock,” he confirms and kisses my hair. He smells fucking delicious. “Ryan just took in a couple of new rescue horses, and we wanted to take a look.”
That’s my brother, always taking in someone or something that needs a safe haven.
“I want to see them.”
His blue eyes glance down at my shoes. “Not in those death traps.”
I snicker and take a glass of champagne off a tray. “I’m in flats, husband. It’s too soon for heels.”
“They’re not enough to protect your feet from mud and shit. But you’ll love those horses. There’s one girl in particular that’s just a sweetheart.”
“Maybe we should also rescue horses. And dogs. And…whatever needs rescuing.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You don’t have time for that.”
“Maybe just horses, then.” I shrug a shoulder. “Unless you don’t want my poor rescues on your ranch.”
“We’ll talk about this later.”
Holden’s sister joins us, all smiles.
“Wow, you clean up well, brother. I almost didn’t recognize you. Well?” Charlie asks, her hands on her hips as she takes a look at her handiwork. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s absolutely gorgeous,” I reply honestly. “You outdid yourself, Charlie.”
“You killed it,” Holden tells her and pulls her in for a hug. “I’m proud of you, sweetie.”
Charlie’s eyes mist over. “I think this is the first time you’ve seen one of my events.”
“Best thing I’ve ever seen,” he tells her and kisses her head. “You’re incredible, darlin’. I couldn’t be prouder of you.”
“Don’t make me cry.” She half-heartedly smacks his arm but wipes away a tear. “You’re the closest thing that any of us has had to a parent, Holden. So, having you here to see what I do is important to me. I love you.”
His throat works as he swallows hard, and then he wraps her in one more hug.
“I love you, too.”
“Oops, someone’s talking in my ear.” She points to the little device in her lobe. “I have to go put out a fire. Not literally, don’t call Bridger. See you later.”
She waves, and then she’s off.
“That was incredibly sweet,” I murmur as I take Holden’s hand in mine. “They adore you, you know.”
“Yeah, well, I love my girls. I’m glad they escaped with minimal damage. I need to be more mindful of being present for them. I should have seen her work before today.”
I kiss his shoulder, and then we’re pulled into conversations, making our way through the crowd to mingle.
After an hour, we find our seats. We managed to get all ten of us around one table, and that makes me so happy.
Gazing around, I love seeing all four of my brothers with the women they love so much. They’re all so smitten that sometimes it’s disgusting. But there’s no better feeling than knowing that their wives were my friends, first and foremost, and now they’re my family.
Holden’s hand settles on my thigh, and I smile over at him. Having my husband at this special party, as my date, is the best feeling in the world. We’ve been congratulated and shown so much love and kindness already today that my cup is full.
And I can tell that he enjoys being part of this community.
“You’re fucking incredible,” he whispers into my ear. “I knew this group was special, but seeing it in action? Outstanding. I’m proud of you, Rosie.”