Page 139 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

Ty scratched his beard as he thought about it. “That’s a good question. I mean, yeah, there’s the whole tradition thing: how a guy’s supposed to ask a girl’s dad for permission but … It’s not that. Or it’s not only that – I figured that part would mean something to all of you guys, because it’s my way of acknowledging that you all are a real family. But even aside from that, I like you guys, and I know Shayna loves you guys, and Iwouldn’t want to put her or you in a bad situation if I asked her and she said yes, and you guys had a problem with me.”

Booker frowned. “Are you saying you wouldn’t ask her if I didn’t want you to?”

Ty pursed his lips. “I have to be honest with you, kid. No, I’m not saying that but … are you saying that you don’t want me to?”

Booker grinned. “No – I just had to see if you’d lie to me.”

Ty had to laugh. “You little shit, you had me worried for a second there.”

Booker laughed. “Good. I know that Shay loves you, and after everything that happened, I know you’ll do anything to keep her safe. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try to keep you on your toes.”

“I don’t have a problem with that.”

“Would you have a problem if I come to visit her sometimes? I’m going to miss her.”

Ty grasped his shoulder. “We already talked about that – I want to get you up there to visit. You want to learn to ride?”

Booker nodded eagerly.

“Then I give you my word – if you want me to teach you, I will.”

“Wow! Thanks, Ty!”

Ty grinned. “We’re going to be family, Booker, and everyone in my family rides.” He could see how much that meant to the kid – he’d spent years in foster care before he aged out and found himself on the street not that long ago. Now, he not onlyhad a family, but he was about to gain a whole bunch of in-laws, too.

“Thank you – for including me.”

Ty nodded. “I told you, we’re family now. And when we get you up there, you’ll see just how many crazy brothers and sisters you’ve landed yourself with.”

From the way Booker smiled, Ty felt as though he’d just given the kid the best gift he’d ever received. He promised himself that he’d do everything he could to make Booker feel like he was part of the family.

“Are you going to ask her now?”

Ty felt bad when he said, “No – I know some people make a big deal out of it and want their family and friends around to share the moment, but that’s not me. This isn’t for anyone else – it’s just for me and Shay. I want to do it before we get home – I’m not going to do it with my family around but not yours. I wouldn’t do that.”

Booker smiled. “Relax. I wasn’t worried about that – but I would be a bit jealous if you did that. I was thinking about Shay. I don’t think she’d like it as much if you did it in front of a bunch of people.”

“I don’t either. Like I said, it’s just for us.”

“I won’t say good luck, because we both know that she’ll say yes, but tell her she needs to call us, will you? I know she’s going to be crazy happy and it’s awesome hearing her like that.”

“I will. You know her really well, don’t you?”

“I do. She’s awesome. Don’t worry, I don’t have crush on her or anything.” The face he made as he shuddered dispelled any doubts Ty might have had about that.

He had to laugh. “That’s the look I get when people talk about my sister Laney being hot.”

Booker dropped his gaze, and it wasn’t hard to guess what he was thinking – he’d met Laney when she came to visit Shay in the hospital.

Ty punched his arm. “I get it. I know she is – but remember she’s your sister now, too, and that’s just …” He gave a shudder of his own. Then he got up and offered Booker his hand. He hauled the kid to his feet. “Thanks, Booker.”

“Thank you, Ty. For taking care of her.”

“I always will – I give you my word.”

~ ~ ~

Shayna rested her head against Ty’s shoulder and looked out at the twinkling lights spread out before them. They were back in Salt Lake. The first couple of days of their road trip had been so much fun, and now they were back here, sitting on the same bench they’d come to the first day they met.

---