Page 46 of The Cowboy's Socialite
Epilogue
“And this,little Milton, is how you ride a horse,” Jack said, helping his four year old off the horse.
Lola leaned on the porch, smiling at them. An outsider would think this was the first lesson Jack had given their son. Ever since Milton and his two year old sister Olivia were toddlers he’d insisted on talking them on rides. Of course, they rode ponies and were appropriately dressed with helmet andgear.
“Thanks, Dad,” Milton said, and high fived him. “Can I go play with my tablet now?” he asked, his hazel eyes gleaming in anticipation.
“Take off your helmet and, then yes,” Jack said, with asigh.
“Yes,” Milton said, excited, then he disappeared into the custom home they’d built not too far from Red Oak Ranch. As her B&B took off, they decided they needed a place of their own for their growing family. A place where they’d make their own memories, while keeping her father’s alive at RedOak.
She walked up to Jack and kissed his cheek. “Can’t compete with the tablet, can you?” she said, then patted his back consolingly.
He withdrew, scratching his back. “Dang kid prefers to play with those silly games than ride,” he said, but instead of bitterness, amusement softened his features.
She laughed. “Olivia makes up for it.” No kidding. Their daughter loved everything about country life. She enjoyed spending time with the animals, horseback riding, and fishing.
“That she does. Where’s my firecracker?”
“Consuelo took her and Pepper to Red Oak to meet a newgoat.”
“Semi-alone time,” Jack said, and pulled her into his arms. His lips fused with hers, and her world raptured like it did whenever his tongue delved into her mouth. He pressed her against the wall, and thankfully in those five years nothing had changed.
They’d grown closer. Sure, sometimes they argued like any other couple, but making up surpassed any quibble. She loved Jack Canyon with her heart andsoul.
“What have I done to deserve you in the middle of the day? I thought you’d be in a staff meeting.”
She stroked the back of his neck. “We rescheduled.”
He groaned. She’d come to know each one of those sounds, and their meaning. “Want to meet at the pantry? Milton is upstairs bynow.”
She chewed on her lower lip. One of their requests when they’d met with the builder was the oversize pantry. Thrills of excitement threaded down her spine. “Yes.”
He pulled her into the house, and she hard a hard time keeping up with his pace. When he closed the pantry door behind him, she decided this was as good a time as any to say, “My mom is coming to visit us next weekend.”
He blinked. “Oh. Suddenly I know why the royal treatment,” he said, hiking up her skirt.
“Aw. She isn’t so bad. Is she?” Ever since the children had been born, Margo had really tried to become involved in their lives. Sure, she still traveled the world with a boy toy, but she made sure she visited the grandkids during birthdays, holidays, and important events.
He lifted her from the floor, and she wrapped her legs around him. “No. The best thing about her visit is she entertains the kids so I can have you all to myself at night.”
“Good. I’m glad there’s an upside,” she said when he sat her on the countertop.
“There’s always an upside with you. Now, let’s get down to business before our little cowgirl returns,” he said, peppering kisses on her face while cupping her breast.
“You got it, Jack. I’m not going anywhere,” she said, her breath labored. She knew she had a lifetime of victimizing Jack with her cooking and smothering him with her kisses. And nothing in the world made her happier than this—touching him, loving him… and staying with him. Forever.
