Page 72 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“What kind of things?”

“First of all, that you’re going to stay here in the house – we’ll help you bring your things over when we get done here.”

“Thanks.”

“And the other most important detail is that we don’t think you should go anywhere by yourself.”

She had to laugh. “I understand, and I appreciate the thought but come on, you guys. You know what my schedule’s like. I’m always running around somewhere. No one has the time to go everywhere with me – you guys have your own lives.”

“We do.” Alexis gave her a rueful smile. “And you’re right that no single one of us would be able to keep up with you, but between the three of us, we can do it.”

Booker smiled. “I go to the barn with you in the mornings anyway, but I reckon that instead of each taking one side of the aisle, we can double up. We’ll work on every stall together.”

Shayna stared at him. “I … that’s so sweet of you, Booker, but …”

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Alexis.

Davin nodded slowly. “I’d rather you just stayed home and didn’t go anywhere but – I know that’s not realistic,” he added hastily when Shayna started to protest. “So, since we figured we wouldn’t be able to talk you out of getting on with your life, I talked to Adam, and I’m going to drive you between jobs and anywhere else you need to go.”

“But only when I can’t,” added Alexis. “I don’t have anything lined up at work for the rest of the week, so I’ll be able to take you where you need to go.” She smiled at Davin. “And you won’t need to keep running out of work.”

She loved the way they smiled at each other. Loved the way they understood each other.

“So, what do you think?” Davin asked.

“I ... most importantly, I think you guys are amazing for offering to do all of this for me. But … it’s going to be a pain in the butt for all of you and …”

“And we don’t mind,” said Davin.

“We want to,” said Alexis.

Booker gave her a grim smile. “We’re a family now – if anyone messes with one of us, they’re messing with all of us.”

Shayna’s hand came up to cover her heart when all three of them nodded at her.

“Thanks, guys. It means more than you know, but I still feel bad. I don’t want to put you all out.”

Alexis smiled. “Best case scenario is that it won’t be for long. I’m hopeful that Amelia will be able to find out whoever this …” She pursed her lips “…personis, and we can hunt him down and …”

Booker elbowed Shayna and grinned. “You know she wanted to call him something way worse thanperson,don’t you?”

They all laughed, and Alexis stuck her nose in the air. “Granted, I have a much lower opinion than the wordpersonmight imply, but I’m taking my role as matriarch of our little family seriously. I don’t think the name that came to mind is appropriate at the dinner table.”

Booker chuckled. “Bet I know what you were going to say.”

Alexis sat up a little straighter. “I’ll bet you don’t.”

“Does it start with anF?” Booker asked.

Alexis shrugged, and Shayna had to laugh when she replied, “The second part does, the first starts with anM.”

They all laughed, and Davin shook his head. “And you look like such a lady.”

Alexis laughed. “Iama lady – a lady with a wide-ranging vocabulary, tempered by a sense of time and place.”

Shayna grinned at her. “I want to be you when I grow up!”

“No, you want to be yourself, sweetie. I want to see you become the woman you’re going to be.” She winked. “Although, I may not be able to resist steering you a little.” Her smile faded. “You must tell us if it starts to feel like we’re interfering too much.”

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