Page 87 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

“You don’t have to decide right this minute. But keep it in mind while we have dinner. We’ll see what these guys have to say. There might be other options.” He cleared his throat. “If you really don’t want to come up there, then I’ll find a way to come here. Wade will understand. I just can’t stand the idea of something happening to you. I know these guys have got you – but … you’re my girl, Shay. I need to make sure that you’re safe.”

She searched his face and slowly nodded. “Except it doesn’t make sense for you to come here.”

“What do you mean?”

She blew out a sigh. “It makes more sense for me to move away from where this crazy guy is, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah.”

She checked the time on her phone. “I can’t … my head’s too full right now. Let’s go back to the house and go for dinner.”

“Okay. I’m sorry. I hate this. I want us to just be together and have fun. I don’t want you to feel like you’re under pressure.”

She gave him a sad smile. “I don’t. I get it. I’m not under pressure – I’m under a threat. And I know that you’re only trying to make sure that I’m safe.”

He brushed his lips over hers. “There’s a bit more to it than that.”

“There is?”

“Yeah. There’s something I need to tell you.”

He loved the way she softened against him, and her little arms tightened around his waist.

“What?”

“I absolutely want to keep you safe. But deciding whether you come to Montana, or I come here – that’s about me wanting you in my life. See, I love you, Shayna Rose. I should probably hold back a while before I tell you that, but I can’t. You’re it for me. I want to be wherever you are and …” His words trailed off when he saw the tears shining in her eyes.

“Shit, sweetheart. I don’t want to upset you.”

She laughed. “They’re happy tears, Ty! I love you, too. I thought it was too soon, but …”

“Nah. It’s not too soon. It’s fast, yeah, but the way I see it, we have the rest of our lives to take our time getting to know each other.”

She leaned in to kiss him, and a shiver ran down his spine when she stroked his beard. “Are we crazy?” she whispered.

“Maybe, but crazy or not, I know how I feel; I love you.” He frowned. “And I was going to say that it ain’t going to change, but I don’t want you to feel like I’m trying to lock you in. You might decide that I’m not right for you, and if you do, I’ll accept it. I’m not trying to …”

She pressed a peck to his lips. “I know you’re not, it’s okay. This doesn’t feel like pressure. It feels … amazing!”

~ ~ ~

When they walked into The Boathouse, Shayna clung to Ty’s hand. She must have walked into this place hundreds of times over the years. Recently, she’d been working here, covering shifts as a server for a while until Kenzie had asked her to join her behind the bar.

But considering that The Boathouse was about the only option for a night out in town, this place had also been the main backdrop for her social life. Not that she had much of a social life these days.

She’d had a couple of boyfriends, but nothing serious. Most of the dates she’d ever been on had taken place right here. She tensed when she spotted a group of friends sitting together at a couple of tables they’d pulled together by the dance floor. She’d gone to school with most of them, they were good people. She’d never been one of the gang, though; she worked too much to be able to join in.

One of them, Austin, the local realtor, raised his hand in greeting. He’d helped Davin and Alexis buy their house, and they waved back. He was a good guy – it was his best friend, Colt, who was sitting next to him, who made Shayna feel uncomfortable. Colt was a good guy, too – he was one of the sheriff’s deputies. The reason she felt uncomfortable with him was because of one failed attempt at a date they went on a few years ago.

Ty squeezed her hand. “Are you okay? Is there a problem with one of those guys?”

She shook her head rapidly. “No. No problem.”

She was grateful that Cash herded them toward the bar before Ty could ask any more questions. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide – she’d tell him what had happened if he wanted to know. It wasn’t a big deal, only that she still felt embarrassed. She’d asked Colt out right around the same time that his long-lost love, Cassie, had come back to town.

When they reached the bar, Cash grinned at her. “What are you having, honey?”

They all turned when Kenzie appeared behind the bar with a huge grin on her face. “Looks to me like she’s having herself a shot of hot cowboy – or a double!” she said with a raunchy laugh.

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