Page 23 of Big Rowdy Cowboy

“She’s the most special thing to me in the whole world,” I admit. When the recording contracts started and the money began rolling in, I thought my life was complete. I thought I had everything I needed. Then I discovered Dotty and I know how hollow all of it is. The only thing that matters is my girl.

“Then hold on to her. None of us are promised tomorrow. And you know the one thing that brings me comfort about your father’s death?” She asks.

I shake my head, blinking back tears. “What’s that?”

“That he died the happiest man on earth.”

“How can you know that?” They told me he died on impact and Mom wasn’t there. She couldn’t have known how he felt in his final moments.

“Because he told me. Every single morning, your dad woke up and let me know how very much he loved me and loved his children. He always told me he was the happiest man on earth because he had us, and he lived every single day of his life trying to make sure we all felt that love.” She sets her needles down long enough to wipe away a stray tear. “If this were her last day, you’d want her to know how very loved she was, right?”

“I love her more than life.”

Mom nods. “Then show her that. Show her that every single day. And when grief knocks on your door one day, whether it’s expected or unexpected, you can take comfort in knowing all the love you shared.”

“Do you still love him?” I ask softly.

She gives me a sad smile. “He was the best part of my heart. Walter understands that because he’s already faced his own loss.”

“Then go be happy with him,” I tell her as I stand. I can’t predict the future and neither can my mom. But I can hold onto my girl with everything in me. I can make her feel loved every day for the rest of our time together.

Chapter 13

Dotty

I’m still thinking about what the girls told me when Zac shows up for our date.

I scurry out of the bakery and onto the sidewalk. If he comes inside, I know they’re going to pepper him with questions. I don’t want that to happen. I want Zac all to myself, at least for tonight.

He opens the passenger door for me and brushes a kiss across my forehead before helping me into the truck.

I love all the little ways he’s always looking out for me. I’ve never had someone do that.

“How did the radio interviews go?” I ask him when we’re on the road.

He shrugs. “They went like they always go. I tried to talk, and Thea shut me up.” The grin he sends me lets me know he’s not upset. “It’s probably for the best that she doesn’t let me share every thought in my head.”

“I guess that part of being famous kind of sucks,” I tell him. I can’t imagine having to carefully weigh almost everything I say, always having to be worried that I’d lose my career if I said the wrong thing.

“It comes with the territory. Now, how did your day go?”

Other than Sadie, I don’t really have anyone to talk to about how my day is going, and I really love that he asked. I launch into a detailed discussion about the articles I’m writing and the research I’m doing for them.

As we drive to the next town over, he asks me a million questions about my job and how I got started doing it. He’s like this every time we’re together, always wanting to learn more about me.

He pulls into a big parking lot with a sign announcing it as an outdoor movie theater. “I love old movies and I thought…”

I smile at him. “This is perfect.”

Together, we get seats underneath an old oak tree that has twinkling lights wrapped around it.

Zac puts a blanket over my lap and produces snacks, including trail mix. He offers some to me, oblivious to the other moviegoers who are casting us side glances.

“It doesn’t bother you to be seen with me?”

“You mean being seen with the most beautiful woman in the theater?” He growls in such a deep tone that my panties go damp.

I shrug, not sure how to put it into words, but Zac won’t let the conversation end there. In a soft voice, he asks, “Who made you feel anything less than precious?”

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