Page 11 of The Grouchy Lumberjack’s Bride

I take the opportunity with Sasha leaving the table to move across from Cain. “I’m sorry. She cornered me and begged for help. I had no idea what she was going to say.”

“It’s fine. I think Courtney surprised all of us.”

I frown. “Why is she here?”

“I take it you know about the Shirtless_Lumbersnack?”

I grin because I can’t help it. “That name is everything.”

He shakes his head. “That entire account is all Sasha. I knew nothing about it until a week ago.”

“Damn. Smart girl.”

He smiles, his face beaming with pride for his sister. “The smartest.”

“Courtney thinks there’s money involved.”

He nods. “There is. But it’s getting put into an account for Sasha’s education. She earned it.”

“Is there any ground for Courtney to stand on? You’re Sasha’s legal guardian, right?”

He sighs and scrubs a hand down his face. “Not exactly. We never did any paperwork, and Courtney never terminated her rights. Moms trump brothers in the eyes of the law in lots of courtrooms.”

“How is it possible you didn’t have any paperwork? Have you talked to Blake about this? He just fought and won his custody battle, so he probably knows all the ways to fight this.”

“No paperwork. Dad had full custody. When he was institutionalized, he lost that. Courtney’s mom took Sasha during that time.” Cain blows out a breath. “I wanted to take her, but I didn’t have the money to fight a court battle.”

“Money should never be what stops you, Cain. I’ve got more than I’ll ever need. Let me pay all the legal costs.”

“I’m going to let you do more than that, Peanut. You’re gonna marry me, and we’ll adopt Sasha together. Then her security will never be a question.”

Oh, damn. I might need those paddle things to restart my heart. Because I think I’m flatlining. Did he just say I was going to marry him?

chapter seven

From the Saddle Peek…

Call your bets in, it’s finally happened. Cain Bishop and Jade Larson have finally tied the knot! If you’ve been in our small town for long enough, you know these two have been dancing around each other since they were kids. There’s just something in the water here in Saddle Creek… true love always wins.

chapter eight

Cain

Talk about a fucking whirlwind. The past week has been that and more.

A week ago, I was blissfully single.

Okay, not blissfully. I was grumpily single.

Now, I’m married to the woman most likely to drive me fucking crazy. The only woman I’ve ever wanted. And here I am, in her fucking debt again.

Five years ago, Jade went behind my back and set up a trust to cover my dad’s medical expenses. I’ve lived with that for six years, knowing she did something for my dad that I never could. Knowing I could never repay her.

And now there’s this. Now, she’s saved Sasha. One more thing I can never repay. Am I grateful?

Fuck, yeah.

I’m beyond grateful.