Page 19 of Her Grumpy Cowboy

Maisey looks up at me, her blue eyes so like her father’s, wide and hopeful. “Please say yes, Jasmyn. Please be our family.”

My heart feels like it might burst.

This man, this wonderful, amazing man, loves me. He loves me enough to buy me a dance studio. He loves me enough to want a future with me. And this sweet, precious girl wants me to be her family.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with tears. “Yes, Luke. Yes, Maisey. I love you both so much. Of course I’ll be your family.”

Luke’s face breaks into a brilliant smile. He pulls me into his arms, Maisey sandwiched between us, and kisses me deeply. I pour every ounce of my love, my joy, my gratitude into that kiss.

When we finally break apart, I’m breathless and giddy. Luke rests his forehead against mine. “Welcome home, baby. Welcome to our forever.”

Chapter Eight

LUKE

Hours later,I ease the door to Maisey’s bedroom closed, holding my breath until I hear the soft click of the latch. Then I freeze, listening for any sign that we’ve woken her.

Silence.

I grin at Jasmyn. “Out like a light.”

“I’m not surprised.” Jasmyn keeps her voice low as we tiptoe down the hallway. “Between the dance lesson, the ice cream, and the horseback ride, I’m amazed she made it through dinner.”

“That makes two of us.” I chuckle, remembering Maisey’s valiant struggle to keep her eyes open during dessert. “I thought we were gonna have to carry her up to bed.”

We reach the top of the stairs. I glance over my shoulder, making sure Maisey’s door is still closed. Then I turn back to Jasmyn and hold out my hand.

She takes it without hesitation.

I love that about her—her boldness, her trust. I lead her past the main staircase, to the back of the house where a narrower set of stairs waits. My bedroom is up there, in the addition above the kitchen.

I’m grateful for the privacy as we climb the steps hand in hand. Living with my brothers has its perks, but alone timewith Jasmyn isn’t one of them. The second-floor addition is my sanctuary. I push open the door to my room and guide Jasmyn inside.

The door closes behind us with a soft click. Jasmyn steps further into my room, her eyes scanning the space.

It’s not much—just a double bed, a dresser, and a desk cluttered with paperwork and old coffee mugs. A faded patchwork quilt, one of Grandma Clayton’s creations, drapes over the foot of the bed.

Jasmyn gravitates towards the window. I’ve left it cracked open, letting in the crisp evening air and the distant lullaby of crickets. The scent of summer grass, sun-warmed hay, and a trace of Jasmyn’s vanilla shampoo find my nose.

“I like your room,” Jasmyn says, turning to face me. She leans back against the windowsill, a soft smile playing on her lips. “It’s cozy. Very you.”

I cock my head, crossing the room to stand in front of her. “Yeah? How so?”

She shrugs, her smile widening. “It’s simple, but warm. Unassuming. And the view...” She turns her head to gaze out at the moonlit pastures. “It’s peaceful.”

My chest swells at her words. I’ve never thought much about my room, but seeing it through her eyes gives me a new appreciation for my space. For my life. I reach for her hand and tug gently. “C’mere.”

Jasmyn lets me lead her to the bed. I sit on the edge and pull her down next to me, my arm automatically wrapping around her waist as she nestles into my side. It amazes me how perfectly she fits there—like she was always meant to be in the crook of my arm.

We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, just breathing each other in. I press a kiss to her hair, savoring the feeling of her warm weight against me. “What are you thinking?” I murmur.

She turns her face into my neck. I feel her smile against my skin. “I’m thinking...” Her words are soft, almost shy. “I’m thinking about how happy I am. Right here, right now, with you.”

A deep sense of contentment settles in my bones. I tighten my arm around her, turning to brush my lips over her forehead. “That so?”

Jasmyn lifts her head. In the low light, her eyes glimmer with unmistakable emotion. “This day has been perfect.”

I lean forward, capturing Jasmyn’s lips with mine. The kiss is fierce, urgent, a physical manifestation of the love burning in my chest. Jasmyn responds instantly, her hands sliding up my arms to loop around my neck. She presses closer. I feel her heartbeat against my chest, as rapid and intense as my own.

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