Then my cousin came barging into the room without knocking. “Guys, geesh, do you ever wear clothes?”

  “This is our room, you know?” I said as I pulled the covers over Shalan.

  “I just checked the charts. Guess what?”

  I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes while I spoke, and felt Shalan moving over to the side. “What?”

  “Broken Love Darlin’ is number one.”

  The room filled with screams and suddenly my already filled bed had another body in it. Bella jumped on and wrapped her arms around Shalan as they both began to wail in excitement. “Oh.My.God.Number.One.”

  They rocked back and forth repeating it over and over again.

  Not paying my cousin any mind, I climbed out of the bed, naked, and walked to the bathroom. She could only see my ass for a second, but that didn’t stop her from making a comment. “Eww. You need to shave. The next time I see that hairy ass I’m callin’ the zoo to come groom you.”

  They went back to screaming while I emptied my bladder. After wrapping a towel around my body, I walked out and stood over my bed. “Am I allowed to celebrate with my girlfriend now, or are you just going to stay in bed and watch us?”

  She hopped up. “Sick. I’m out of here. Hurry up, though. We need to tell your parents before they hear it on the radio.”

  For weeks we’d been following the Billboard charts, hoping and praying that her song would get farther down. Never in a million years did any of us, especially Shalan, think she’d make it to number one. By the time Bells left the room her screams had turned into tears. “I’m sorry I’m crying. I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “It’s amazin’, darlin’. You deserve this. I’m so proud of you.” She’d been so busy, promoting and performing and now it was all worth it. I wiped away her tears. “Don’t cry.”

  “I just never thought I’d be this happy, Noah. It’s not even all about the number one. It’s you. It’s this life we have. I know it’s hard when I’m away, but knowing that I have this home to come home to makes it all worth it. I wouldn’t be where I am without you.”

  “This calls for a celebration. What do you say to Mama Savanna’s pancakes,” I kissed her on the lips. “With bacon and potatoes, and hot coffee?”

  Shalan smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. “There’s only one thing that sounds better than that.”

  I knew what it was, even before she said it.

  “Sex in the shower?”

  I stood up, letting the towel fall, and held out my hand. Shalan was easy to pull out of bed. She followed me into the bathroom and we closed the door behind us. Once the water was at the right temperature, we both climbed in. I was gentle washing Shalan’s hair, while she brushed her teeth. It was funny how used to be couple we were. Being with her when she did every day things was never going to get old with me. It was the times like this that I treasured the most. People could buy tickets to hear her sing. They could read about her life on a Kentucky ranch, and how her boyfriend raised cattle, but they’d never know her; not like I did.

  She was mine, and I hers. Nothing could take that away from us, not money, not fame, and certainly not another person.

  Shalan took her toothbrush and rinsed it before sticking mine into my mouth. “I need some kisses without the morning breath.”

  I brushed my teeth and watched as she lathered up her hands and started washing me, from my neck all the way down to my feet. While she was on her knees, she took a handful of me and giggled before taking me into her mouth. I leaned back against the shower and let her work her lips for a bit. Knowing that a blow job was never going to be enough, I grabbed her hair and lifted until she let go. I kept her hair in my hands as I leaned in and kissed her hungrily.

  Her arms wrapped around my back and her breasts smacked into my chest. I turned her around after we pulled away and pushed on her back, causing her to bend over. My hands covered the circumference of her wet ass as I gripped both cheeks. I played with her opening, teasing her with the tip of my dick. Shalan moved her ass just enough to let me know she was ready. Her tight pussy accepted all of me, and with little effort I maintained a rhythm. She held onto the faucet as we smacked together and then pulled apart. I watched my cock going in and out of her. A sensation started deep inside and traveled down my shaft. We’d spent the last night making up for lost time, so this was just an added bonus. My hands held her hips firmly as I rammed into her even harder than before. Shalan cried out at the same time as me, my body filling her with my release.

  Once I was able to move, I swung her around and pulled her in for a kiss. She responded eagerly, running her hands down my chest as our tongues meshed together. I knew what she wanted and I was happy to oblige. This day was for celebration, and I wasn’t about to leave any stone unturned. I reached down between her legs, feeling the remnants of my load. Using it as a resource, I rubbed on her clit, applying just enough force to make her knees immediately buckle. Shalan dug into the skin on my waist as she cried out in ecstasy. Afterwards she brought her lips to meet mine. “Good morning, cowboy.”

  We both laughed. “Yeah, it sure is.”

  Celebrations in the Mitchell family were never small ordeals. From the moment that my mother found out about Shalan the whole family knew about it. By the time breakfast had ended Bells, my gram, my other grandparents and my mom had planned a huge party, where everyone was going to come to town and show their support.

  Shalan was taken back by the way my family had accepted her, and even more amazed with how we all stayed so close. I literally had both sets of grandparents within a mile from the house. The ranch was becoming more like a private community than a family farm. I think in some ways we were the first family she’d ever had, since her mother had been sick when she was so young. We were a lot to take in, but she’d done great. From the moment she’d met them all during our first holiday together, she’d fit in. I couldn’t have felt more pleased.

  A celebration was a good time for us, but I was going to make it even more special. With all of her traveling around, and being in the spotlight, Shalan was missing something. I wasn’t insecure, but I knew I’d feel a hell of a lot better if she was wearing a ring on her finger. I wasn’t in any rush to get married, but I was certainly alright with being engaged.

  I was so nervous the night of the party. The whole family had been getting on my nerves all day making a fuss out of every little detail they wanted done. Shalan wasn’t allowed to help decorate, nor was she allowed to come into the party until everyone was there. All of our houses were full of guests, even my younger cousins that I would have loved to have left out. With so many people around, all of them family, I knew it was now or never.

  Shalan was waiting on the porch of our house when I pulled up on the golf cart to get her. She was wearing this white dress, that we’d purchased in Texas a few months back. Her hair blew in the wind, and she looked stunning. “Hey, beautiful. You need a ride?”

  She walked over, climbing on quickly. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  I got halfway to my gram’s house before stopping and turning toward her. “I can’t do this.”

  “Do what?” Of course she had no clue was I was talking about.

  “I need to ask you somethin’, right here and right now.”

  “Okay.” She giggled and looked around. “Why here?”

  We were in this small patch of woods, completely alone. “Because. Just come with me.”

  I grabbed her hand and led her into the woods, having her sit down an a fallen tree. “I was going to ask you this later, but –.”

  “Ask me what? Is it about the party?”

  I got down on my knee and her eyes got huge. “Shalan, I ain’t sayin’ right now, but someday will you be my wife, darlin’?”

  She started to answer but I cut her off. “Even if you say no, will you at least wear the ring, so the whole world knows you’re taken?”

  Shalan giggled. “Are you going to open the ring box, or do I not get to see it unless I answer yes?”

  I laughed and noticed that I hadn’t even opened the box. “Oh shit.”

  I went to lift it and Shalan put her hands over it. “Wait. Either way my answer is yes. Yes, I will wear the ring, and yes I’ll be your wife, whenever we both feel ready.”

  I kissed her so quickly that she almost lost her balance and fell into the fallen leaves. We both laughed as I held her close. “Sorry, I got a little excited.”

  She grabbed my face and pulled me in for another kiss. “You never have to worry about the world Noah. My life is here with you.”

  I stood up and reached out for her hand. She cleared her throat. “Are you ever going to show me the ring I’m supposed to be wearing?”

  I stood in my tracks and handed her the box. “You got me all messed up, woman. Here, you open it.”

  Bells had helped me pick it out, and after more money than I cared to admit spending, I watched my girlfriend gasping in shock. “Oh my God. It’s huge.”

  “I get that a lot,” I teased.

  She pushed me. “You know what I’m talking about. Noah, you didn’t have to. I would have been fine with anything you bought me.”

  “I wanted you to have the best. Besides, ain’t nobody goin’ to overlook that on any red carpet.”

  Shalan rolled her eyes. “You do realize that when I have red carpet events your ass will be in a tux escorting me?”

  I frowned thinking about getting dressed up. “Is that what I’m signed on for?” I grabbed the box. “Here, let me take that back.”

  She snatched it away from me and put the ring on her finger. “You’re never getting it back now.”

  I stopped fighting and grabbed both of her arms. Her smile went away as I pulled her closer to me. “Fine, I’ll wear the tux, but only if you put out after every event.”

  I leaned in to kiss her again as she began to laugh. “Deal,” she said mid-kiss.

  With the family expecting us, I was content on spending the whole night hidden in the woods with Shalan.

  Until my phone started to ring.

  She grabbed it out of my pants pocket and answered, “We’re on our way.”

  I chased her out of the woods and onto the golf cart. Once we were driving again, she rested her head on my shoulder and held up her hand. “I wonder if they’ll notice?”

  “Well, bein’ that your ring cost more than my dad’s new tractor, I’d say they’ll notice.”

  The idea of my dad’s reaction wasn’t the highest on my list. I was going to get a lecture, whether it was right away, or after he’d had weeks to let it simmer. My frugal dad wasn’t too keen on money being spent in vain.

  “I don’t have to keep this ring, Noah. We can get something smaller.”

  “Woman, I had to sell my left nut for that ring. You’re keepin’ it.”

  “I saw your left nut this morning, you big fat liar.” She started to laugh and shake her head. “You’re not going to tell anyone are you?” She knew me too well.

  I chuckled. “Nope.”

  She put her foot onto the brake pedal. “Did you ask me in the woods because they think it’s going to happen at the party? Did you do this so you didn’t have to do it in front of everyone?”

  “Maybe.” I pressed on the gas and we started moving again. In just a few short minutes we were out front of my gram’s house. “You ready, darlin’?” I asked as if nothing had happened.

  Shalan hopped off the golf cart and walked into the house, not waiting for me. I followed behind her, knowing she was up to something. Sure enough, she waved her hands around. “We’re here.” She turned to flash me a smile. “And we’re engaged.”

  I placed my hand on the small of her back and leaned in toward her ear. “Now they’re not goin’ to leave us alone.”

  She laughed as the family approached to congratulate the both of us. “Think of this as practice for the red carpet. We have an event in two weeks, darlin’.”

  Of course we did. “Can’t wait.” I winked and waited to be bombarded with hugs. This was my life, and for some amazing reason, she wanted to be a part of it. I looked over to see that smile and realized that I’d wear a monkey suit, and do anything she asked, just to be able to see that everyday.

  No longer did I feel like I needed to leave the ranch to find happiness, because I already had more than any man could ever ask for. I turned to find my dad in the crowd of family members. Next to my uncles, he stood, nodding his head in approval. At the end of the day I never thought I’d care what he thought, but I had been very wrong. I’d become the man he’d always wanted me to be. I’d accepted my birthright, and the fact that there was nothing out there in the world that could bring me more joy than the people in this room could.

  That there is my happy ending.

  Chapter 1

  Isabella

  I rushed out of the room, trying to get away from his constant badgering. “You don’t know what it’s like, Noah.”

  Arguing with my cousin was getting me nowhere fast. He couldn’t fathom that my heart was broken, and that sometimes I felt like moving to Kentucky had been a huge mistake, because it had forced me to walk away from Tate. There was a time when he was my everything, my reason for existing, and my future husband. Sure, I missed my immediate family, but it didn’t compare to the constant ache that I experienced from losing my ex. Yes, he’d cheated on me, several times in fact, but I still loved him. That’s why it hurt so much to hear my cousin constantly degrading him. Didn’t we all make mistakes? Shouldn’t we be able to change without judgment? He of all people had no room to talk.

  Noah got up in my face, shouting like he always did. “The hell I don’t. You sit there sulkin’ about that prick every damn night. I know you’re still talkin’ to him, Bells. What I don’t get is why you can’t see that he’s a piece of shit. He treated you like dirt, and you refuse to admit it.” He turned away, backing up and shaking his head in disappointment.

  I took two steps toward him, so that I could jab him in the chest with my finger as I replied. “Stop actin’ like you know what’s best for me. I’m a grown damn woman. If I tell you that

  I’m fine, then leave it be. God, you can be so annoyin’. You ain’t my daddy, and you sure as shit ain’t my keeper.”

  He lifted his hands to sit on my shoulders, looked down and peered into my eyes. I could already see the worry in his stare. Noah wasn’t trying to make me hate him. His determination was built on months of doing everything in his power to make me see that Tate was no good for me. “Bells, look at me. Have I ever given you bad advice? Have I ever steered you in the wrong direction?”

  “No.” I turned away so that he couldn’t see the agony on my face. He was right and I was wrong. What else was new?

  “Look, cuz, I love you. Shalan and I like you livin’ here in Kentucky at the ranch, but I’ll be damned if I sit around watchin’ you make this kind of mistake again. The last time this shit happened I was rescuin’ you in some flea-bag motel. Please, for the sake of your livelihood, sever ties with that fool for good. I promise you that there’s someone out there that’s better for you. There’s someone that will appreciate you.”

  I darted for my room in an attempt to end the conversation, huffing and puffing with no means to otherwise defend myself. He didn’t know what I was going through. How could he, when all Noah had ever known was to control his own relationships? He’d never been on my side of the situation, or experienced heartache. Hell, he was engaged to a famous country singer that practically worshipped the ground he walked on. Not all of us could be that lucky.

  After it slammed in his face, Noah beat on my door, trying to get me to talk as if we were still teenagers arguing over some immature object. I buried my head in my pillow and put my ear buds in, so that I couldn’t hear him any longer. The vibration against my leg let me know that I had a new text message. My heartbeat became rapid as I pulled out my phone eagerly hoping it was Tate.

  I opened the message to see that it was from my dad. My trip home was only a day away, and for the first time in a long time, I wanted to be there.

  One more day until you get to smell your mother’s farts. I bet you can’t wait. Love: Best Dad on Earth

  I laugh at his humor. My dad was a silly man. While everyone in my life called me Isabella, Bella, or Bells, he’d called me Izzy. He always had and he always would. It was just something that made our bond so special. I can’t wait, Dad. Love you too. – Iz

  Don’t forget to pack underwear and deodorant, as we’ve stopped using both here on account of saving the environment. – Dad

  I refuse to come home if you’re free-balling. That’s where I draw the line, Dad. - Iz

  Honey, I’ve been free-balling since before you were born. It’s your mom that’s made the change. She loves letting it all air out. – Dad

  My father’s sick sense of humor actually made me feel better. Believe it or not, after being raised by the constant jokester, it was comforting hearing his banter. My dad had this thing about making me smile. Even in my darkest of times, he would find ways to make it happen. I loved him for it, too. Throughout my life, he’d been my constant rock.

  I thought back to the day I discovered that he wasn’t my biological father. I’d never felt such heartache as I had in that moment. He’d been my everything, since the day I was born. In fact, he’d helped deliver me in the back of my aunt Van’s car. Of course, I was too young to remember that day, but I’ve been told that from the moment I came out of the womb I’d been wrapped around my daddy’s finger. I didn’t care what a blood test showed, even though he’d adopted me, he was my one and only father, and I was a Mitchell in every way that counted.

  I may have just thrown up in my mouth. – Iz

  Better eat light before you come then. – Dad

  Having a comedian for a dad wasn’t the only perk to being the daughter of Tyler Mitchell. He was my biggest fan, aside from my mother, and because of the way they raised my brothers and me, we’d learned the real meaning of family and love. They’d instilled us with morals, and I knew that one day I’d pass them on to my own children, if I ever had any.