Page 61 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

When Travis stopped the truck in front of the house, he climbed out without a word and came around to open her door.

“You okay, darlin? You were mighty quiet on the way back.”

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck as he lifted her out. “Sorry. I’m just tired. It was a good day, I enjoyed it. But being around that many people – talking to them all …” She shrugged. “I guess I’ve forgotten how. I’ve gotten used to spending my days with you and talking to Callie now and then.”

“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve been keeping you all to myself here. I’ll have to …”

She reached up and touched his cheek. “You don’t have to do anything. I wasn’t complaining. I enjoy the way things are. I was only explaining why I’m tired.”

He smiled as he carried her into the house. “How tired are you? Do you want to sit out front with a drink and watch the stars, on the sofa with a movie, or in bed with me?”

She held his gaze as she thought about it.

“You can tell me what you’re thinking. If you’re so tired that you want to go to bed by yourself, you say so.”

“No! That wasn’t what I was thinking. I was thinking that I want it all. And now that I’m here – with you – for the first time in my life, I feel like I can have it all. We can sit in bed with a drink and watch the stars through the window. We can watch a movie if I can stay awake that long. Most importantly, we can sit together.”

“And snuggle.”

She laughed. “No one would ever guess by looking at you that you’re so … affectionate.”

He shrugged happily as he headed for the stairs. “I don’t need anyone to guess, I just need you to know.”

“I do.”

He set her down at the bathroom door. “Do you need anything? I’ll go down and get us a drink. Do you want any munchies or …”

“I’m good. I’ll get ready for bed and meet you there.”

He leaned in and dropped a kiss on her lips. “You be careful. I’ll bring your crutches up.”

“I’m fine. You’ve seen me get around in here – I feel more comfortable leaning on the wall or the vanity – this floor’s too slippery for crutches.”

He frowned. “I can get some …”

She laughed. “I told you – I’m fine. Watch.” She hobbled away from him, using the vanity to support herself. “You go do your thing – and let me do mine.”

He chuckled as he left. “Be right back. I’ll bring the wheelchair in from the truck so it’s ready for morning.”

By the time he climbed into bed beside her, it was fully dark outside. He turned off his bedside lamp, and it took a little while for her eyes to adjust. When they did, she stared out the windows. The moon rode high in the sky. It was bright enough that the trees cast shadows, and the mountain was more than just an outline.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and she pressed closer to his side.

“You want the TV on?”

“I don’t.”

He chuckled. “I didn’t think so, but I had to make sure – you said you wanted it all.”

She looked up into his eyes and ran her fingers through his beard. “I feel like I have it all with you – I don’t need anything else.”

He rested his forehead against hers. “You don’t need to sweet talk me, darlin’ – you already got me. I’m yours.”

Her heart felt as though it melted in her chest. The thought of this big, sweet, wonderful man being hers was …

“Is that too much?” he asked. “It’s true, but I can hold off on saying it for a while if you need me to.”

“It’s not. It’s … huge. It’s wonderful. I …” She blew out a big sigh. “I wanted to be cautious coming into this, Trav. I wanted to be sensible. I didn’t think it’d be wise to just dive in both feet first … but …”

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