Page 67 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

She heard herself inhale sharply.

“Shit. I know it’s too soon to say it, but it happens, Shay. For some people it’s love at first sight – they just know, right from the beginning, and I know … I don’t want to scare you but …”

She gripped the lapels of his jacket and pulled him closer. “I’m not scared, Ty. I’m relieved. I feel the same way. I didn’t want to say it. I thought I’d freakyouout, but I’m falling for you.” She gave him a small smile. “If I’m honest, I’ve already fallen.”

He lowered his head, and when their lips met, the whole world seemed to fade away. There was an urgency in that kiss. It felt like they were trying to tell each other just how deep their feelings had already grown, without having to put it into words.

When he finally lifted his head, he held her gaze for a long moment. “I feel like if I say those three words to you right now, it’ll be more pressure on you. I don’t want that. I want you to go home and think about it. If you want me, I’ll be there to see you next weekend. If you don’t, I’ll …” He gave her a pained look. “I’ll have to find a way to live with it. I want to talk to you at every chance you get. If you want me, I’ll be there as fast as I can get there.” He blew out a sigh. “And if you’re going to make your flight, we need to get you to security.”

She ran her fingers over his cheek. “I’m going to miss you, Tyler MacFarland.”

He smiled. “I’m going to miss you, Shayna Rose.”

She had to swallow around the lump in her throat. “But only until next weekend.”

He nodded and started walking her toward the security checkpoint.

~ ~ ~

Ty wasn’t into long goodbyes, but they stood off to the side for another ten minutes until he knew that she’d be cutting it close if she didn’t go through security. He’d already checked her gate number and talked her through how to get there. He’d flown through Salt Lake often enough that he knew exactly where she needed to go.

Her eyes shone with tears when he finally took her backpack off his shoulder and held it out to her.

“It’s time, sweetheart.”

She swallowed and nodded. “I’ll let you know when I land, and I’ll call you as soon as I can.”

“I’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

She sniffed. “I’d better go before I dissolve into a puddle of tears.”

He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Me too.”

He walked her to the point where only passengers could enter and gave her one last quick kiss.

“If I’m going to do this, I need to just walk through there and not look back.”

“Yeah, don’t look back, Shay. As soon as I let go of your hand, I’m out of here. I can’t stand and wave and all that shit.”

“Good. I hate that, too.” She let out a big shaky breath. “Tell me this isn’t goodbye, Ty.”

He crushed her against him one last time. “We’re not going to do goodbye, you and me, Shay. I’ll see ya later.”

She nodded and kissed her fingers before pressing them to his lips. “See ya later, Ty.”

He kept his word and turned and hurried away. He felt like he held his breath all the way back out to his truck. When he reached it, he climbed inside, folded his arms on the steering wheel, rested his forehead against them, and blew out a big sigh.

He had a long drive ahead of him, but he needed to pull himself together first. And he wasn’t going to start driving until he knew Shay was in the air – if she texted him, he wanted to be able to answer her.

He took his phone out.

Ty: You make it through security ok?

Shay: Yeah. I wish I was in your truck with you instead.

Ty: Me too, sweetheart.

Shay: Are you going to get straight on the road?

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