Page 39 of The Professor's Holiday Surprise

To put a ring on her finger and a baby in her belly.

Chapter 14

Paisley

After two weeksof keeping our distance but talking every single day about what’s to come, I wasn’t sure finding Noah after my exam would live up to my fantasy.

It’s so, so much better.

He can’t stop kissing me, which makes me feel so special.

At my car, he opens the driver’s side door but then cages me in against the pillar. “Drive safely, my girl. But swiftly, because I’m hungry for you.”

I reach up between his big strong arms and cup his face. And I kiss him, thrilled to be able to do this openly—at least in this moment. “I’ll be behind you the whole way. And it’s a gorgeous clear day.”

“I know. I just…” He shudders, then pulls me into his open jacket. He’s warm inside, all big brawny muscle under his button-down shirt, and it’s incredible that I have that kind of an effect on him.

I take his hat off my head and put it back on him. “Me, too, cowboy.”

He kisses me once more, then makes sure I put on my seat belt before he closes the door and taps the roof.

The entire drive back to Wildflower Hollow feels like a dream. We pass my aunt’s house. When I let her know I wouldn’t be back for a few days, she barely looked away from the TV.

Then the feed store is at the edge of town.

My heart is in my throat when we take the next turn. It’s a short drive to Noah’s road. We pass two other ranches before we turn an arched sign that readsWildfire Ranch.

The lane goes through two front pastures, and there are horses in one of them, which makes me smile. Then the ranch buildings are just beyond that, and Noah parks his truck in the middle of a gravel circle.

He’s already out of his truck as I pull up to a stop beside him, and he jogs around to open my door as soon as I turn off the engine.

The smile on his face is everything. “Welcome to our ranch.”

“It’s beautiful.”

He laughs as he tucks me in against his body. “It’s Wyoming in the winter.”

“I love it.”

The house is a big sprawling farmhouse with a long veranda. The middle part of the house has a second story, and long wings on either side look newer. Down the gravel driveway is another house, a single story one decorated in Christmas lights, and beyond that are a couple of barns set at the foot of rising hills.

“Come on inside. We have the place to ourselves.” He grabs the overnight bag I packed, then tugs me toward the house.

“Where are your brothers?”

“Drew and Zane are in Las Vegas.” He gives me a heated look that makes Wyoming in winter feel almost tropical. “I bought them tickets to a big rodeo as a bribe to give us some alone time. Trick is at his house a half-mile up into the hills. He’ll help with the chores tonight.”

“We’re doing chores?” I think I sound delighted, but Noah must hear the question as shock, because he quickly shakes his head.

“Iam doing chores. That’s the trade off for the privacy. Our ranch manager Raul will help, too. You can do whatever you want.” He opens the front door and steps inside. “Come on in.”

“Chores sound fun, though. Like another hands-on practical test.”

He chuckles as he hangs up his coat. “While it is very cute that you are excited about another test today, I didn’t invite you here to work.”

“I know. But?—”

“We’ll argue about that later.” He helps me out of my puffy vest, his hands lingering on my arms as he gives me a look of concern. “You need a better winter coat than this.”

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