Page 89 of When a Cowboy Falls Hard
She smiled up at Monty. “No thanks, Rio. I have all I want right here.”
“Then I’ll be off. Try the van. The back seat folds down. It’s?—”
“See you later, little brother.”
“Yeah, okay. Bye.”
Monty tucked her in close again. “What you just said to Rio sounds like I might be getting somewhere. A wooing campaign is still on the table, though. If you?—”
“Sounds like a waste of time to me.”
“It does?”
“You have a second bedroom, right?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“When I was there for the shoeing, I noticed a couple of extra stalls in the barn.”
He tightened his grip. “Is that a yes?”
She gazed up at him, drinking in the love shining in his blue eyes. “It’s a hell yes.”
He let out a breath. “Thank God. I love you. I love you so much I can’t see straight.”
“I love you so much I’m throwing out all my rules and going with what my heart tells me.”
“And what is your heart saying, pretty lady?”
“That you’re a safe bet for me and Tex.”
“I am.” His gaze was steady. “I gots you.”
She smiled. “I gots you, too, Montgomery Bridger.”
Snuggling close, she abandoned herself to a kiss that promised a long life filled with joy, love and brownies.
Epilogue
Monty stood in front of a full-length mirror adjusting his string tie. Darn things never did lay right. Next to him, his mini-me tried to adjust his, not easy when he gripped a ring box that he refused to let go of even for a second.
Kneeling down, Monty gave him a hand. Tex’s outfit was the same as his — white shirt, embroidered vest, black jeans and boots. Finding adult and kid-sized matching vests had been impossible on short notice. Then Auntie Carmen had offered to make them.
His brothers, who were engaged in a raucous card game behind them, had a similar look. But their vests were a collection of styles and colors — whatever they’d had in their closet. It worked because the bridesmaids and maid of honor had done the same, choosing their favorite summer dresses for the occasion.
“Mommy says you ‘dopted me.”
“That’s right, sport.” He undid Tex’s string tie and started over. “It’s official. You’re my son.”
“And you’re my daddy?”
His throat tightened. “Sure am.” The responsibility he’d feared was now a treasured privilege.
“Daddy Mister Monty.”
He chuckled. “That’s quite a mouthful.”
“I don’t gots it in my mouth.”
