Page 41 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

“I am. I’ll be fine, honestly. The last thing I want is you worrying about me. You should enjoy your evening with your friends.”

“I will – if I know that you’re going to be okay and that you’ll call me to come get you if you’re not.”

“I promise.”

He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her out, loving the way she clung to him until he placed her in the wheelchair.

As soon as he straightened up, Ari grabbed the handles and grinned at him.

“We can take it from here. Go on – on your way.”

He made a face at her. “I just want to …”

Candy laughed and folded her arms. “Whatever you want to do, you’ll have to do it later.” She looked at her watch. “We’re officially on girl time now so go on – scoot.”

Deacon nodded. “There’s no point in arguing.”

Ace laughed as he backed away toward his truck. “None whatsoever. You’ll soon learn. I’ll see you guys at Deacon’s place. Have fun, honey,” he called to Ari.

“We will. See you later.”

Travis gripped the arms of the wheelchair and squatted down in front of it. “You good?”

She rested her hand on top of his. “I am. Thanks, Travis. I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll be here as soon as you want me.”

Libby patted his shoulder. “Go on. Get out of here.”

He gave Retta a rueful smile. “I’d better leave – I know where I’m not wanted.”

He felt a hell of a lot better as he got to his feet. She didn’t say a word, but the look she gave him told him that he was wanted.

~ ~ ~

Retta set her glass down so that she didn’t spill her wine as she laughed. She was having the best time. She couldn’tremember the last time she’d laughed like this – her cheeks were aching from smiling so much.

The food was wonderful; the company was even better. Libby, Ari, and Candy couldn’t be more different. Libby had grown up here in the valley. She was a horsewoman through and through. She struck Retta as being capable – of anything. Ari used to be a lawyer. She’d only met Ace last winter, and it sounded as though she and her daughter had been through quite an ordeal. But she’d moved on with her life and had settled here in the valley with Ace. She was confident, but not bitchy. Retta liked her a lot. Candy was a surprise. She seemed like the motherly type, but she had a dry sense of humor that was the cause of much of their laughter.

Ari raised her glass, and the others picked up theirs while giving her puzzled looks.

“What are we drinking to?” Libby asked.

“To welcome our new friend, Retta.”

She smiled around at them. “Thank you.”

“Are you going to stay?” asked Candy.

“I am.”

“With Travis?” Ari waggled her eyebrows.

“I … yes.”

Libby grinned. “You guys didn’t waste any time – you’re moving in with him?”

“Sort of. He’s just letting me stay at his place for now, while I figure things out.”

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