Page 22 of A Touch of Cowboy

“Everything ready?” Avery twisted in his arms. “Because you’re furrowing your brow.” She tapped said furrowed brow.

He grinned. “How did I get to be so lucky?”

“You said yes.”

He cocked his head.

“To the walk in the park.”

“Oh, the one where I almost froze my balls off? And didn’t I invite you?”

“Does it matter?”

He pressed a kiss to her lips. “Nope. Not one bit.”

Rex yipped excitedly as the ranch SUV pulled up with Rainbow at the wheel and Kennedy in the passenger seat.

The women exited the vehicle, then Kennedy opened the back door, unclipped Tiffany’s harness, and let the golden lab free.

Said dog, understanding she was off the clock and free of her therapy dog duties, bounded over to Rex.

They tussled, barked, and romped around.

Rex had a fair amount of freedom on the ranch. He was never left alone with the horses, though, as Avery didn’t trust her mutt enough. Will also followed caution. But when they were just hanging around the house, Rex got to do more.

The next SUV was Justin’s, with him at the wheel and Stanley in the passenger seat. Angus was the first out of the vehicle, even before the engine died. He bounded over to Will and fist bumped. “This is going to be so cool.”

Given the young man had access to the horses on the ranch, Avery revelled in the boy’s enthusiasm.

Opal ran over next with her fathers trailing behind. The adoption had been finalized last month—she was theirs. The four were a family.

Will clapped his hands. “Okay, everyone got riding helmets?”

Rainbow and Justin exchanged looks as they rolled their eyes. Both headed back to their vehicles to collect the helmets.

Despite everyone being comfortable around horses, Will still took everyone through their paces and, soon enough, they headed out. Avery knew the circuitous route took them along the property line and then down into crown land—owned by the government but that he had permission to bring his guests onto.

By the time they looped back to the house, their guests were a mix of elated and exhausted.

Avery welcomed everyone into the great room with warm fresh cider from a local farm and snack foods.

Opal crawled onto the couch, curled into a ball, and promptly fell asleep. Angus sat on the floor and played with Tiffany and Rex. The adults stood around, admiring the renovations done on the property.

Avery tucked herself into Will’s side.

He held her tight.

This. This was the perfect life.

And as they lay tucked into their massive bed together that night, Will could thank the heavens that he’d been given two women to love.

Oh, and a cuddly dog who slept on a bed at the foot of their bed.

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