Page 19 of Big Filthy Cowboy

“You’ve worked hard on your feet all day,” I explain. If I’d had the ingredients, I would have made her a home-cooked meal. When she’s living at our house on the farm, I’ll have a warm dinner waiting for her every night. We’ll eat together on the back porch, sharing about our days and watching our kids jump through the sprinkler.

Dinner is a quiet affair and when we’re done, she asks, “Can you stay the night, or do you have to go back to the farm?”

I already texted my brothers that I wouldn’t be around for a day or two. They understood. The advantage of running our family farm is we all pitch in and help each other out to keep the place going. The next time one of them needs time off to be with their girl, I’ll be right there for them. “I can stay the night, but only if you promise not to steal my virtue.”

“Your virtue is safe, but maybe not the covers,” she teases.

Upstairs, I pleasure her again and again until she’s sated in my arms. Her head is resting on my t-shirt, her taste is still on my lips, and I’ve never been happier. “Spend the day with me tomorrow. Let me show you the farm.”

“I’d love to see your place,” she yawns again.

“Sleep now,” I tell her, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. I can’t wait to show her my house tomorrow. Pretty soon, it’ll be her new home, and I want her to love it just as much as I love her.

Chapter 11

Sadie

“And you took your salt pills?” Barrett asks.

I barely suppress a giggle. I mentioned my fainting disorder to Barrett this morning when he asked about the pill I swallowed. He hasn’t stopped hovering over me since. I think he expects me to just fall to the ground at any moment. “Yes, I took my pill, and I’m fine. It doesn’t happen often.”

He looks doubtful for a moment. “But you feel fine now.”

“I told you. I faint sometimes but not all the time. I feel great today. Now, come on. Show me this house of yours.”

He finally relents. “But you’ll tell me if you feel bad.”

“Promise,” I tell him, just so we can get out the door. Last night, we spent the night together in my bed. There’s just something about having him beside me. He really is my teddy bear.

We get to the Maple Farm just as the first ribbons of light burst through the darkened sky. Sunrise looks different with Barrett. Before him, it always came with a sense of relief, like I’d finally made it through an overwhelming battle. But now, I see it as a new adventure. A chance to spend more time with the man that’s quickly becoming my whole world.

He pulls his truck into the driveway. It’s a two-story farmhouse. It’s a cheerful yellow color with red shutters.

The porch is bare, but I imagine putting a couple of wicker chairs and some throw pillows on it. Maybe I’d even hang a fern or two.

“Your house is incredible,” I whisper right as a big mutt comes bounding onto the porch. He’s almost as tall as me when he throws himself onto his hind legs and begins to cover my face in doggie kisses.

“Well, hello there, Skip. My name is Sadie,” I tell my enthusiastic host with a laugh.

Barrett calls his dog’s name, and Skip drops down from me. He sends my boyfriend a reproachful glare as if to tell him we were just having fun.

“Let me give you the grand tour.”

While Skip follows me around, Barrett leads me to the kitchen that’s easily a chef’s dream with the double ovens and top-of-the-line cooktop. The island in the middle is located just under a skylight. I could imagine making dinner here every night with Barrett. I imagine stealing kisses in between chopping vegetables and laughing together at our kids’ latest antics.

The living room has a rolling bookcase underneath the stairs that opens to reveal a secret room.

“What’s it for?” I ask, glancing into the space. It’s well-lit, but the ceiling is slanted. I’d definitely have to kneel if I wanted to store anything inside of it.

“I was thinking kids. Might give junior a place to pretend he has a fort or a place for our little girl to host tea parties with her stuffed animals.”

“It’d also make a nice place to sneak away with a cowboy,” I tell him, giving him a wink.

He shows me the rest of the house, pausing to point out various features. It’s obvious he put thought into every element of building his house.

“Your home is perfect,” I tell him and watch as his chest puffs out underneath his t-shirt. I think he was nervous about showing it to me, which is crazy. His home lacks a woman’s touch, but it’s beautiful. The perfect oasis right in the middle of the family farm.

Outside, Barrett demonstrates what a day in his life looks like. I tag along and watch him do his farm chores, which is not something my ovaries were prepared for. There’s nothing like watching my big, strong man lift those heavy hay bales or repair broken fences. I especially love the way he talks gently to the chickens when he feeds them.

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