Page 35 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“Hope you’re right. Call me when you get back then.”

“Will do. Thanks, Cash.”

“Yep. See ya later, squirt.”

When the call ended, Ty sat there with a puzzled smile on his face. He’d told Shayna that it was a small world, but it seemed that they shared an even closer connection than he’d realized.

Chapter Nine

Shayna watched through the window as the plane descended toward Salt Lake City. She couldn’t believe that she was almost there. The week had gone by in a blur since she’d talked to Alexis on Tuesday night.

She’d called Ty when she got home, and he already knew about the change of plans – his brother, Cash, had called him – because Alexis had done as she’d said she would and warned Cash that she would hold him personally responsible for Ty’s behavior.

Ty had assured her that it worked just fine for him. He wasn’t worried that she’d be spending Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunch with Eli. That still left them with tonight and the rest of Saturday, Sunday, and Monday morning. Alexis had said that it was better for her to fly back on Monday morning than Sunday night – and Lily hadn’t had a problem with her skipping Monday morning at the barn. Since things weren’t as tight for her money-wise anymore – thanks to Davin and Alexis – Shayna didn’t have a problem with it either. Best of all, Ty had said that he’d get here before she did and wouldn’t leave until she was safely on her way home.

And now, here she was. About to land – about to meet Ty! She shivered as she watched the Great Salt Lake shimmer under the blue sky. It looked like an alien landscape to her. She looked around at her fellow passengers. None of them looked particularly interested in what was outside the window. She had to wonder how many – if any – of them were like her and had never flown before.

She’d felt kind of embarrassed when she admitted to Ty that this would be her first time on a plane. He’d been so sweet! He’d told her that she had nothing to worry about and that he’d be there waiting for her at the baggage claim when she arrived.

She held her breath as the plane approached the runway. This was it! She just hoped that they would land safely and not crash into the rapidly approaching tarmac. She let out a sigh of relief when the wheels touched down and the plane taxied down the runway.

Okay, she was still alive. Her heartrate picked straight back up – arriving safely was the last obstacle remaining before she got to meet Ty.

The flight attendant announced that passengers could turn their phones back on, and Shayna immediately did as she’d promised and sent a text to the group chat that Booker had set up for them all – their little family. He, Davin, and Alexis had all asked her to keep in touch and let them know that she was okay at every step.

As soon as she hit send, her phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Ty: I’m here waiting by baggage claim 5. Just follow the signs for Baggage Claim.

Shay: Okay. We haven’t stopped yet. It might take me a while.

Ty: No worries – I’m not going anywhere.

Shay: Good! I’d be screwed if you changed your mind now.

Ty: Relax, sweetheart. I’m not going to change my mind. I can’t wait!

Shay: Me neither! But I’m REALLY wishing that we’d already exchanged photos!

Ty: It’s going to be all right.

Shay: I hope so. If you think I’m fugly we can just hang out as friends, right?

Ty: Relax! I’m not going to think you’re fugly.

Ty: But even if it turns out that I’m wrong, and you look like Yoda, we’re going to have a fun weekend hanging out together. Just get your ass out here so we can get this thing started.

She grinned at that. She wanted to get this thing started too – whatever this thing between them turned out to be.

He’d driven here from Montana and had assured her that he was happy to be her chauffeur for the weekend. She hadn’t felt confident about driving in a big city, so she’d planned to take the shuttle bus to the hotel, but when she told him that, he said that he’d be here waiting for her.

The plane finally stopped, and people started getting up from their seats. The man who’d been sitting next to her passed down her backpack that he’d put in the overhead bin for her when they got on.

“Thanks.”

He smiled. “No problem. Are you coming home or here for a visit?”

“Just visiting.”

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