Page 61 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

He managed to resist telling her that she was perfect. “I’m glad. I didn’t know it before, but it turns out that Utah is the beehive state. Since they’re all about hard work and community, it makes sense. And since you’re such busy bee …”

Tears shone in her eyes as she nodded. “Don’t look so worried, they’re happy tears, Ty. I love that you called me the same thing that my dad used to. It feels like he …” She looked away. “Sorry. I really do love it and …”

“Shay?”

She sniffed. “Yeah?”

“I’ll say it if you won’t; it feels like your dad is kind of part of it – of this, of us.”

Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks as she nodded. “Yeah. I didn’t want to freak you out, but I’m going to say it. It’s more than just him being part of it – it feels more like he likes you and he … approves.”

She let out a little sob, and Ty wiped the tears from under her eyes with his thumbs. He wrapped his arms around her and hauled her onto his lap. She buried her face in the space between his neck and shoulder, and he just held her.

When she finally lifted her head, her eyes were red and her cheeks were splotchy, and she looked maybe even more gorgeous.

“Don’t you dare apologize,” he told her with a smile. “I love the idea that your dad might approve of me.”

“I really think he would, Ty, but …” She sat up a little straighter. “I love that you let me have a moment, but I don’t think either of us wants to stay there, do we?”

“Nope.” He would have if she needed to, but he didn’t know what he could offer, other than his shoulder and support. He was more than okay to move on.

“Okay, so I just realized that I told you about my folks, but you never told me about yours, and all your family stuff – why Cash is much older and …”

His expression must have changed.

“And never mind! That’s obviously not the place to go. So … Where do we go from here?”

He tightened his arms around her and jerked his chin toward the view of the valley, a view that was now a sea of twinkling lights in the darkness with a backdrop of shadowy mountains. Night had fallen while they sat there.

“Want to go back to the hotel? I mean, we can go for a walk around the city if you want to see it, but …”

She gave him what could only be described as a mischievous smile. “I vote for the hotel.”

He grinned as he got to his feet, keeping his arms around her as she slid to the ground. “You don’t need to ask me twice.”

She grasped a fistful of his shirt and raised her eyebrows. “I don’t?”

“Shit! I mean about going back to hang out there – I don’t, I’m not …” He shook his head. “If you want to, I’m not going to be able to resist you. I want to wait, but …”

She blew out a big sigh that had him wondering why the hell he wasn’t caving, but he knew the answer; he’d given himself his word – and that mattered.

“I know you’re right. It’s better that we wait till next time.” She smiled. “But I’m telling you right now – next time you are mine, mister!”

He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her to his chest as he kissed her deeply. When he lifted his head, he looked down into her eyes. “You’re mine.”

Chapter Fourteen

By Sunday night, Shayna was dreading having to say goodbye to Ty. She couldn’t believe how close she felt to him when ten days ago she’d never even heard of him.

She looked around as they walked back to the hotel. She liked Salt Lake, although she knew she’d never be able to think of it as just a city; it would forever be the place where she first met Ty.

At least, she hoped that it’d be the place where theyfirstmet, but part of her couldn’t help wondering if it would become nothing more than the place where she once spent an amazing weekend with a hot, sweet cowboy who’d stolen her heart.

She glanced up at him; she didn’t dare even think that thought too loud. It was true – he had stolen her heart, but how would he react if he knew that was how she felt? It was too soon to go anywhere near the idea. The last thing she wanted to do was scare him off.

He squeezed her hand. “What are you thinking so hard about?”

She blew out a sigh; she could tell him at least a partial truth. “Sorry, I was … I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to you tomorrow.”

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