Page 78 of A Cowboy to Call Her Own

Asher skipped his gaze past the Front Porch Pickin’ Float and the local Bluegrass band playing a lively tune.

There.

A flash of crimson red and gold behind the 4H Farm Animal Showcase. He pushed away from the wall of the tavern. And suddenly, Kelley was there. She was radiant. Stunning. Heart-stoppingly so. Asher lost his breath and every bit of steady he thought he had.

His cowgirl was front and center of the Munroe sisters’ trinity. Sitting atop Maple Moonlight, all confidence, courage and grace. Her smile flashed brighter than the sun glinting off her gold crown. There was more gold sparkling in her thick braid falling over one shoulder trailing down to her split riding skirt and Maple’s adornments. Shimmery gold ribbon had even been woven through Maple’s plush red floral horse collar. It was magical. Enchanting. Asher could not look away. He was caught on a cowgirl, heart and all. And wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

He was careful to stay beneath the shadow of the awning. This was Kelley’s moment, and he wanted her to absorb every minute. Soon enough, Asher hoped to have her in his arms for their own private sort of moment. After he told her a few of those heartfelt truths he had been keeping to himself for far too long.

He waited until Kelley and her sisters rode past him, then with his cowgirl in his sights, he followed her along the last of the parade route. Asher kept his greetings to folks on the sidewalk brief and matched his pace to Kelley’s. The area in back of Briarwood Reserve was the parade’s disbanding area. And the closer they all got, the more he fought the urge to run to her.

As it was, he lost the trio within the happy confusion of floats, band equipment and cheerful participants celebrating among themselves. Then he spotted that flash of red and gold and beelined around a trailer and dodged a door opening of a 1948 Ford pickup. The Blackwell trailer attached to Walter’s truck was parked at the end of the street. A quick jog and he got to Kelley before she dismounted.

Elliot James and Edie Kincaid were about to assist Kelley. However, Asher stepped between the pair and got to his cowgirl first.

“Asher.” Kelley gasped, delight sparkling in her wide eyes.

He reached for her. And with her hands on his shoulders, Asher gripped her waist, swung her down and straight into his embrace.

Her arms curved around his neck. Her head fell back, and her laughter streamed out. She shifted and squeezed him close. “I can’t believe you are here.”

Asher could not believe he had his cowgirl right where he wanted her. He tightened his hold, watched as Edie led Maple away, then he said, “I couldn’t miss your parade comeback.”

More amusement escaped. Her hazel eyes flashed. “What did you think?”

“Incredible. So beautiful. Stunning, really.” He watched color bloom in her cheeks. “Truth is, you made me forget how to breathe.”

She stilled in his arms as if suddenly holding her own breath.

He caught her stare and opened the door to those truths he’d been holding on to. “And if breathless is how love is supposed to feel, then that’s how I want it. Forever.”

Her lips parted. Her eyes went impossibly round.

Someone shouted Kelley’s name, then Asher’s. The moment paused as if love now held its breath.

Footsteps sounded behind Asher.

Kelley glanced over his shoulder, set her forehead against Asher’s and whispered, “Pauline has spotted us, and she looks quite determined. I don’t think we can outrun her.”

He chuckled and hugged Kelley, then said, his tone serious, “There is still much more that needs to be said.”

“So much more,” she agreed.

The promise was there in the low hush of her words. That was enough for now. Asher slowly lowered Kelley’s boots to the ground yet kept his arm around her waist.

“Come on, you two.” Pauline jogged over, looking set to mobilize the group. “We’ve got to get a move on.”

“Where are we going?” Kelley asked, confusion in her words. “Asher and I were—”

“Coming with me. Back to the diner.” Pauline glanced quickly around, then called out, “Frannie, we need you as well.” Her gaze shifted to Kelley, and she asked, “Can Laura-Beth cook?”

Suddenly, Laura-Beth appeared beside them and said, “I can serve.”

“What is going on?” Asher asked and started following Pauline down the street.

“The Morning Gallopis here,” Pauline replied, practically sprinting and talking just as quickly now. “They want to feature the Galloping Fork Diner in their Hotspots for Foodies feature.”

Kelley’s hand found Asher’s. Her fingers entwined swiftly with his. Surprise overtook her expression. “Seriously?”