I never wanted this moment to end. I never in my life felt so loved and wanted as I did at this very moment. I would love this man with everything I had in me for the rest of my life. I would do everything in my power to make him just as happy as he has made me.

I looked up at him and smiled as he smiled down to me.

“Drew…...it’s another first.”

He looked at me confused. “What is baby?”

“This……this feeling……it’s a first for me.”

“Tell me Ellie.”

“I have never in my life…..ever felt so completely loved and……..wanted.”

Gunner leaned down and captured my mouth again with his. It was perfect.

No, It was……..heaven……

Evening had already come and the lights in the trees were turned on by someone. Probably Jenny by the way that poor girl was running all over the place.

Gunner and I were both exhausted. I had never danced so much in my entire life, ate so much and laughed so much. It was all coming to an end.

“So are you going to change or stay in that dress?” Ari asked with a wiggle of her eyes.

Gunner walked over and whispered in my ear for me to keep the dress on. He wanted to slowly peel it off of at the hotel in Austin.

“I guess I’m keeping the dress on!”

Ari let out a laugh and hit Gunner in the shoulder.

“If you think she looks beautiful in the dress, wait until you see what she has on underneath the dress. Or all the little outfits I packed in her suitcase.”

Gunner pulled me against him and pushed his hips into my backside. OH MY! I think it is time to go……

“Ari, I always knew there was a reason I liked you so damn much.”

“Damn straight ass wipe and you better spoil her rotten on the honeymoon or I’ll punch you in the nuts and not think twice about it.”

With that Ari turned and walked away. I had to laugh. I loved her so much. I thought about the whole situation with Jefferson. Ari didn’t know it but Jenny was working double time tonight. With our wedding and also transforming the hunter’s cabin into a romantic paradise so Jefferson could ask Ari to marry him tonight. I noticed her getting in and out of her truck for the last two hours running back and forth.

“We need to do something special for Jenny and Aaron for everything they have done Gunner.”

“Baby I’m already one step ahead of you. I booked them a room at the Marriott in Austin for the next two nights. I had Jeff go and leave them some gift cards for a few restaurants also and Gramps hired a whole crew to come and clean everything up and take it all down. Jenny does not have to worry about a thing!”

I turned around and looked at him.

“You really are too damn good to be true do you know that?”

Gunner threw his head back and laughed.

Just then Jefferson pulled up in Gunner’s truck. It was completely decked out in cans and ribbons and every window had something written on it.

Gunner grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.

“You ready to go and start our honeymoon Mrs. Mathews?” Gunner said as he wiggled his eyebrows up and down. Then he took his hand and ran it down my face.

I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks just at the thought of what it was going to be like tonight. The thought of making love to Gunner……as his wife for the first time had me blushing like mad.

“I’ll take that as I yes.”

Jenny came over and walked us around to the ranch house. She said Emma and Garrett wanted to speak with us in private before we left. We walked into the house and Emma was holding a bouquet of Daisies and smiling so big. Garrett was holding an envelope and his smile was even bigger than Emma’s. Of course he looked at Gunner and winked which caused me to blush all over again. Emma handed me the flowers and hugged me.

“Welcome my sweet darling Ellie to our family. I loved you the moment you jumped out of Drew’s truck and smiled at me. I absolutely cannot wait for you to move out to the ranch. You truly are the daughter I never had sweetheart. I love you.”

I was at a loss for words……again……I hugged her back as tightly as I could and whispered in her ear how much I loved her and what a wonderful job she did helping to raise such an amazing man.

She pulled back and smiled. “He is, isn’t he?”

I nodded my head yes. I looked over at Gunner and he had a tear running down his face. I reached up and wiped it away.

“A happy tear I hope.”

“Yes baby, happier than you can ever imagine.”

Garrett cleared his throat and moved over to us. He looked like he was about to cry which made me start to cry.

“Drew, you continue to make us so damn proud. I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am for you son. You did well, especially with this fine young lady here.”

Gunner pulled me closer to him. I put my arm around him and felt his body shudder.

“I know you had your whole honeymoon planned out and would not let your Grams and I help you with anything so this is our gift to both of you. I want you to open it now before you leave.”

Emma was standing there ringing her hands like she was nervous as hell.

Gunner took the envelope and opened it. It looked like a bunch of legal papers, a check and was that a deed to something? Gunner’s face dropped as he handed me the check and looked at his grandfather.

I looked at the check and almost fell over. Was I reading that right? $550,000…..

“Gramps what are you doing? You can’t afford to give us this kind of money. I won’t take this.”

I looked up at Emma and Garrett and they both looked pissed. I took a step back.

“Drew, don’t you ever again tell me what I can and cannot afford to do young man. That house you lived in for four years in Austin, well I had a gentleman call me four months ago asking if I wanted to sell. I told him he could have the house the moment you and Jeff graduated and moved out here to the ranch. I sold it to him six days ago with the agreement that he give you until July 15 to move out. The money is from that house. Emma and I want you and Ellie to start right away when you get back from your honeymoon on building your home on the ranch. Anywhere on the ranch you like. That deed son, that deed is for the entire ranch. It is now yours and Ellie’s.”

Oh.MY.GOD…I had to sit down before I passed out. I looked up at Gunner who now had tears just rolling down his face. He walked over to his grandfather and hugged him. They exchanged a few more words to each other and then he hugged Emma. I couldn’t think straight. The ranch was ours?

“Gramps, Grams I don’t even know what to say? Are you sure you’re ready to turn it over to me to run? What if I fuck it all up?”

Garrett laughed. “Drew, I will be here every step of the way to help you.”

Gunner turned and took my hand to help me up. We kissed Emma and Garrett goodbye again; thanked them again for the incredibly generous wedding gift and made our way to the truck.

As we pulled away I started to get excited. Gunner looked over at me and took my hand and kissed my rings.

“You ready sweetheart?”

I smiled at him and felt so nervous. I felt like it was my first time all over again!

“I’m so ready you have no idea! Can you possibly speed just a little? I’m not sure I can wait another three hours to be with you!”

Gunner threw his head back laughed as he drove just a little faster.

Chapter SIXTY TWO

Gunner…….

“Ellie baby wake up, we’re here sweetheart.” I bent into the truck and started to life her out. She opened her eyes and looked over at the valet who was waiting to get in and park the truck.

“Ummm, where are we?” Ellie asked all sleepy sounding. So fucking cute!

“We’re at the hotel baby. You fell asleep.” I carried her into the lobby of the Driskill hotel. She looked around and smiled.

Ellie giggled as she whispered big spender in my ear. Her hot breath against my face almost brought me to my knees.

“Only the best for my wife, only the very best for you sweetheart.” I said as I kissed her nose.

I walked up to the counter and set Ellie down and told the receptionist I had a reservation for Mathews.

“Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Mathews. Mrs. Mathews your wedding dress is absolutely breathtaking and I LOVE the cowboy boots with it!”

I smiled as I picked up my dress some and showed off my silver gray jeweled cowboy boots. Ari bought them and I almost killed her when I found out they were $350! She claimed they were a wedding gift from her parents. I did love them though!

“Thank you so much!” I said as I willed her to hurry the fuck up! I just wanted to get out of this damn dress and….

“What are you thinking about baby? You’re blushing….” Gunner said against my ear.

I threw my hands up to my cheeks and smiled. Busted…...so totally busted.

“Nothing…..”

“Mr. Mathews we have you booked in a bridal suite with a king bed. Jason will bring your bags up to your room.”

I looked over at Jason who was staring at me. I mean really staring. Gunner turned to look at him, frowned, and then snapped his fingers in front of Jason’s face.

“Dude, that’s not cool to be staring at a man’s wife like that!” Gunner said. I started to laugh because Jason’s face was redder than all get out.

We were standing outside the door waiting for Jason to put our bags in the room. He stepped out and Gunner handed him a tip but not before he gave him another look.

“Um, Mr. and Mrs. Mathews, enjoy your stay.”

Gunner watched as Jason walked down the hall and then called him a fucker. I tried to hide my giggle but it slipped out. He looked down at me and gave me that crooked smile of his. He reached down and picked me up so fast I almost didn’t realize what was happening. He walked through the door and shut it with his foot as he kissed me.

“Mrs. Mathews, welcome to your honeymoon suite.” He oh so slowly slid me down and set me on the ground while he kissed me. Oh god…...I was so nervous. Why was I so nervous?

“Mr. Mathews…...it’s perfect.” Gunner smiled and stepped back and that is when I really got to take a look at the room. Oh. My. God. It was stunning!

Hard wood floors were throughout the room. The first thing I noticed was the four poster bed. It was huge, with a beautiful creamy yellow duvet and the most amazing throw pillows I had ever seen. There was a beautiful white lace fabric that draped down each post and was topped by a creamy yellow fabric that matched the duvet along with tassels hanging down from the fabric. It looked so old!

There was a giant piece of iron art work on the wall above the bed with satin fabric curtains draped across and hanging down on either side of the bed. It was beautiful! The walls were all painted with warm earth toned colors and the room was just so cozy.

I scanned the room; there was a private balcony and a living room. The furniture had such a European flare to it. WOW! Gunner took my hand and led me into the bathroom. I was stunned when I saw it. There was so much marble everywhere, the sink, the walls, the stand up shower, and the tub….oh my god the tub! It was a huge Jacuzzi tub and there were small white LED candles lit all around the tub. In the back corner were three red candles softly flickering, also LED’s. There was a bottle of chilled sparkling wine with two flutes and a plate of chocolates sitting on the side of the tub.