Page 91 of When a Cowboy Takes Charge

Her words fell like rain on parched earth. She had to. It was important. Hope bloomed in his chest.

“My folks told me to wait it out over there, but I had to come. I didn’t mean to be this late. I’m so sorry I worried you.” Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around him. “Wow, you’re soaked. And my coat’s wet and cold, so I’m not helping.” She tried to pull away.

“No, you don’t.” He held her tight. “First things first. Why’d you have to bring the diorama? Why’d you have to come?”

She gazed up at him, her cheeks pink, drops of water sparkling like diamonds on her knit hat, her flame-red hair and her eyelashes. “Because I love you moose-t of all.”

With a groan, he kissed her. The cold disappeared and his muscles relaxed. A deep sigh of contentment rumbled in his chest as he slowly raised his head and gazed into her blue eyes. “Right answer. Will you?—”

“Be your valentine? Yes.”

“And marry me?” Then he let out a low curse. “Wait. I’m rushing you. Again. Your mom said I?—"

“Yes.”

“You’ll marry me?”

“I will. And have babies with you. All the things, my beloved. All the things.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but he had no words for the rush of joy through his veins. The promise of an amazing future lit him up inside. He wouldn’t be surprised to find he was glowing.

She cupped his face in both hands. “If I didn’t believe you loved me before, I sure would now. I’ve never seen you so happy.”

“Because I’ve never been so happy. If I died right this minute, it would be okay. Well, no, it wouldn’t. We have so many thingsto do, so many plans to make. I love you so much. I need you so much. What if you’d never kissed me?"

She smiled. “All this time I’ve tried to channelBeauty and the Beast.Instead I channeledSleeping Beauty.”

He cracked up. “Yes, ma’am. Your wide-awake prince at your service.”

She wiggled against him. “I like the sound of that.”

“Me, too.” He claimed her delicious mouth. Eventually he’d help her off with her coat. She’d text her folks and he’d change to a dry shirt. He’d bring in the diorama, Hermie, and whatever else she’d brought.

She’d driven through a snowstorm to tell him she loved him, that she’d marry him and make babies with him. He couldn’t be blamed for wanting to savor a moment like that with the girl he’d loved since he was eight years old.