Tossing the last bag into the back of my truck, I turned and grabbed the tent. Setting it next to the giant ass bag Ari had packed, I let out a sigh. I still couldn’t believe she packed so many things.
“Hey, cowboy.”
I spun around to see my beautiful bride sitting on top of Big Roy. I hated that she rode while being pregnant, but I knew Ari. It wouldn’t matter how much I didn’t want her to do it. If she wanted to, she’d do it.
“Hey, beautiful. How’s he feel?”
Ari laughed. “Slow. Lazy bastard doesn’t want to move. I’ve never ridden a horse that walks this slow in my entire life. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you had a heart-to-heart with him.”
She raised a brow and stared at me.
“I might have given him a few extra oats and told him I’d put an AC in his stall if he went easy on you.”
Ari slid off of Roy and let him graze. “You know we can’t keep him here, Jeff. He’s Gunner’s horse.”
With a shrug, I pulled her to me. “I already talked to Gunner about it. If you insist on riding, Big Roy is staying here. He had no problem with it. Besides, they live ten minutes from us.”
Shaking her head, Ari lifted her hand and traced my jaw with her finger. “I love that you worry about me, but I promise I’ll be careful.”
My chest ached with the memory of Ari losing our first baby. “I can’t help but worry.”
Sadness filled her eyes. “I know, babe. But we can’t stress out the entire time. We’ll get through this by the grace of God.”
My hand covered hers. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Her eyes lit up. “I may have some idea, but you could show me.”
Wiggling my eyebrows, I picked her up while she let out a scream.
“What about Big Roy?” she called out.
“Damn it.”
Turning, I headed back and grabbed his reins. A car came down the driveway, causing me to let out a moan.
“Son-of-a-bitch. Why are they back so soon?”
Ari slapped my chest. “Put me down, Jeff. My father’s gonna know what we were doing.”
I slowly set her on the ground. “Like I care what your dad thinks.”
With a smirk, Ari gave me a really look. “Uh-huh. Sure you don’t care. The moment he gets out of the car I know what you’re going to do.”
“Tell him he interrupted my special attention time.”
Her head jerked back. “Your what?”
Mark pulled up and honked the horn, prompting me to turn and quickly take Big Roy into the barn.
“I knew it!” Ari shouted.
Turning to Big Roy, I gave him a pat. “We’re not stupid, are we boy?”
The moment I stepped into the house, I knew I had made a mistake.
“Arianna, are you sure going on a camping trip is such a great idea?”
Ari’s father was at it again. I swore he only did this because Ari told him it was my idea to go camping.
“Why would it be a bad idea, Dad?”
Mark glared at me. “You’re pregnant for one.”
I smiled weakly. “I’ll be sure she is spoiled and well taken care of, sir.”
“Damn right you will.”
Ari walked up to her father. “Dad, stop it. If I didn’t want to go, I wouldn’t. Besides, y’all are going to have Luke for the entire weekend.”
Mark sighed. “You don’t have to go out of town for us to keep our grandson.”
Sue sat quietly while she fed Luke oatmeal.
“You’re still planning on staying here, right? I mean, Luke will be more comfortable in his own bed,” Ari stated as she glanced between her parents.
Facing Ari, Sue answered, “Of course we are. It will be nice to spend some time in the fresh country air as well as see Jack and Grace.”
“Where are you going to sleep?” Mark blurted out.
“In a tent,” I replied.
He glared at me. “No shit. Where is my daughter sleeping? On the hard ground?”
“Dad!” Ari cried out. “Stop being so mean.”
“I’m not being mean. The boy promised to take care of you, and I want to know how he plans on making you comfortable during this little camping trip.”
It was then Mark glanced down at my T-shirt and rolled his eyes. Taking a quick peek, I read my shirt.
“That’s probably the most accurate shirt I’ve ever seen you wear.”
“Daddy, please!” Ari pleaded.
“We’ll have a blow-up mattress, Mark. I’ve made sure that Ari will not want for anything on this trip.”
Mark huffed as Matt came walking into the kitchen eating an apple. He smiled when he saw me.
“Hey, assmole.”
“Matt!” Sue and Ari said at once.
With a huge grin, I replied to Matt, “Hey, buddy. You want to see the horses?”
He nodded and handed his apple to Mark. “Here, Dad. I’m going to go learn to be a mudder-fucking cowboy.”
Mark groaned and it was everything I could do to not laugh. Ari flashed me a dirty look that was quickly replaced by a smile when I winked at her.
“For Christ’s sake. Don’t teach him any more of your special words, Jeff!” Mark called out.
I lifted my hand and replied, “I’ll try not to!”
Before the screen door shut, I heard Mark ask, “Why did you marry that boy? Why?”
With a wide grin, I glanced down to Matt. “Buddy, this is your time. What do you want to do?”
Matt’s smile spread from ear to ear. “I want to be just like you!”
I nodded. “Sounds good to me. That ought to make your dad really happy.”