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His eyes widened. “That’s only a couple weeks away, Bella.”
She frowned. “So when you said you needed me, you meant just for sex.”
“No! That’s not it at all. I just . . . you want to marry me?”
“Yes, Corbin Whitlock. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life loving you. Do you have a problem with that?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it. He sat there for a nerve-wrecking moment before a huge smile spread over his face. A smile that lit up the room . . . and her heart.
“Would it matter if I did? If I’ve learned anything in the last few weeks, it’s that once you set your mind to something, Belle Holiday, you can’t be dissuaded. So if you want to love me for the rest of our lives, I guess I’ll have to let you.”
She laughed. “Damn right, you will.”
She pushed him back on the couch and started proving her love right then and there.
Chapter Twenty-One
“I thought I was going to gain a brother.” Sunny adjusted Corbin’s bow tie. “Not lose both of them in one day.”
“Aww, I didn’t realize how much you love me.” Jesse finished pulling on his tuxedo jacket before he reached out to ruffle Sunny’s hair.
She swatted his hand away. “Don’t mess the hair!” She quickly turned to the mirror to check out the damage. As far as Corbin could tell there wasn’t any. She looked stunning in her red bridesmaid’s dress with her strawberry-blond hair falling in a cluster of curls down her back.
He stepped behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. “You look stunning, Sunny. And you’re not going to lose Jesse or me. Ever.”
“Hell yeah,” Jesse said. “You’re pretty much stuck with us—and Liberty and Belle.”
Sunny turned and her eyes were filled with concern. “Do you think they like me? I mean I know they act like it, but they pretty much have to since they’re marrying my brothers.”
Usually, Corbin would just tell her she was wrong and go on about his business. But Belle had taught him the importance of valuing other people’s feelings. And his own.
“I understand how you feel, Sunny,” he said. “There are still times when I feel like an outsider with the Holidays—like I don’t belong. But I think those feelings are just the insecurities our parents left us with. They aren’t the truth.”
Jesse moved up to stand beside him. “Well put, brother.” He turned Sunny so all three of them were facing the mirror. “These three good-lookin’ siblings do have a lot of baggage from their childhoods, but that doesn’t mean they have to carry it around with them for the rest of their lives. Today, let’s make a pact to remind each other of that whenever we start to doubt ourselves.”
Sunny’s eyes lit up. “Maybe we should start our own secret sibling club.” She frowned. “Although Whitlock-Cates Secret Sister-Brotherhood just doesn’t have a ring to it.”
Corbin laughed. “No, it doesn’t. Besides, I don’t think you’ll have time for two secret sibling clubs.”
Sunny turned to him. “Two?”
“Way to go, Whitty.” Jesse socked him in the arm. “I don’t know about Belle, but Liberty is going to give you hell for ruining their surprise.”
Corbin cringed as Sunny released a squeal and pulled both him and Jesse in for a jumpy hug.
“I’m going to be a secret sister!” She drew back, her face shining. “They must like me.”
“What’s not to like?” Jesse went to ruffle her hair again, but stopped when she sent him a warning look. “Okay, no more messing hair. Now aren’t you supposed to be with those secret sisters, fluffing the brides’ veils and telling them embarrassing stories about your brothers?”
Her eyes widened. “You’re right.” She hurried toward the door and then stopped suddenly, turned around, and came back to give Jesse and Corbin each a big kiss on their cheeks. “I love the heck out of you both. And you’re right, Cory. I’m not losing brothers. Because y’all will never get away from me.” She whirled in a swirl of red material and blond hair before disappearing out the bedroom door.
A smile spread over Jesse’s face. “Damn, I love that girl. I understand now why you’re so protective of her. She’s too sweet to be prepared for the dangers of the world.” He looked at Corbin and raised an eyebrow. “So how are we going to get her back here where we can keep an eye on her?”
Corbin smiled slyly as he turned to the mirror and finished adjusting his bow tie. “I’m working on a plan.”
Jesse slapped him on the shoulder. “I figured you were. You always have a good plan. Although I’m not so sure your plan of where you’re going to live is a good one. I don’t know why you and Belle can’t just live here at the ranch.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry, Whitty. I didn’t realize how much you loved this ranch. I just thought it was a whim. I know you gave the house and barn back to the Holidays, but they’d love for you and Belle to live here too.”
Mimi, Hank, and Darla had all begged for him and Belle to live with them.
