Page 30 of Dear Rodeo

My eyes snap to meet his, and I try to give him a smile, but I don’t know how well I pull it off. He shakes his head once. Lowering his head, his lips press against mine. He doesn’t deepen the kiss.

Instead, he talks against my mouth, and every single word almost instantly calms my fears.

“We have one another, darlin’. You have every ounce of my love, and you can lean on me. Always. Whatever you can’t do, I can and will take care of. This baby is going to be so loved, so beyond loved.”

And he’s right, of course. I know he is. He shifts his head back slightly, his eyes searching mine, and they sparkle when they do. “Let’s go home,” he rasps. “Let’s go home and celebrate.”

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

As I look down at the little bundle in my arms, my breath comes out in a whoosh. She’s perfect. I can’t stop staring at her. Everything about her is perfection, down to her father’s nose.

“Never seen such a perfect pair in my whole life,” Harlan states.

Tearing my gaze away from her, I look up at him. He’s standing across the room, his shoulder against the wall, his armscrossed over his chest as he watches us. The expression he wears is nothing short of pure awe.

“I’m still scared, but I’ve never felt anything like this. I would kill for her, Harlan.”

He pushes off the wall, his feet carrying his body over to us, and I watch as he sinks down on the bed. He reaches out, his index finger extending before it glides down the side of her sleeping face, then he touches the tip of my nose with it.

“Scared to fucking death, Lola-Mae. I’m scared to fucking death, but I’m excited as hell, too.”

“Me too, Harlan. I don’t know how I could ever be scared of having her, of loving her enough. I love her so much that I think my heart could explode. My heart is actually beating outside my chest. It’s no longer mine. It’s hers.”

Harlan smiles. “I love you both so fucking much. I want to wrap you in bubble wrap and lock you away so neither of you ever gets hurt. Not ever.”

He lowers his head until his forehead rests against mine. I close my eyes as we both let out a heavy sigh of relief or peace, I’m not sure which, but I’ve never felt this way before. It’s amazing, it’s calming, it’s a dream come true.

My life, my entire life, is a dream come true.

A fairy tale only a princess could have, I thought.

But it’s mine.

All mine.

And I’m going to hold on with both hands. I’m never letting go. Not ever.