Page 25 of Stranded with a Bossy Rancher

He looks unsure. “Is that okay? Maybe I should have talked to you about it first. I’m sorry—”

I cut him off. “Don’t apologize. After these last few days, you have to know I’m okay with it. I love you, Elliott. But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m scared.”

He wraps his hands around mine. “I’m scared too. I’m scared that you’ll get spooked again and leave me. I’m scared that you’ll change your mind about me, and I’m scared that—”

I cut him off. “I won’t leave again. You’ll have to run me off because that’s the only way I’ll leave, and even then, I’m going to fight to keep you, Elliott Barnett.”

He leans his forehead against mine. “I love you, Camille Trotter.”

I grab the front of his shirt and pull him until I’m lying down with him on top of me. The tray jostles next to us, and Elliott moves it to the floor before resuming our positions. I search his eyes, and all I see is love shining back at me.

“I love you too, Bear.”

EPILOGUE

ELLIOTT

For monthsI thought I was ready for this. I thought I was ready for Cammy to give birth to our baby girl, but as soon as her little blue eyes looked up at me, I realized I wasn’t ready for anything. I’m doing my best not to freak out, but there’s no guarantee that it’s not going to happen.

In one afternoon, this little girl has become our whole world, and I’m so afraid I’m going to mess up. She’s so tiny. A lot smaller than when my nephew was born, and I’m already so protective of her that I can just imagine how it’s going to be from now on.

I have one hand on Katie’s small back and the other on Cammy’s shoulder. There’s a calm surrounding us after what was a chaotic morning. Cammy provided such a good home, Katie was wanting to stay in the womb a little longer, and so the doctor scheduled her for an induction today.

I’ve never felt as useless as I did today when Camille’s body would pull taut in pain, and all I could do was try to hold her and whisper encouraging words to her. I would have given anything to take the pain away from her. After hours, Katie finally cameinto the world, and it seems everyone has come in to see the newest addition to our family.

Rhett and Maddie both came to meet their new niece and spoiled her with hugs, kisses, and stuffed animals. It’s only now, after everyone is gone and when it’s just the three of us that it all starts to set in.

“You okay?” I ask Camille.

She blinks up at me in exhaustion. “I’m good. I’m tired, but I’m good.”

I sit down on the side of the bed and try not to disturb our sleeping daughter. I suck in a breath, trying to keep my emotions in check and it comes out in a shudder.

Camille searches my face. “What about you? How you holding up, Dad?”

When she calls me that, it hits me, and I suck in a deep breath and let it out really slowly. I can’t even get the words out, so I nod my head.

Her eyebrows lift in surprise. “Bear, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Wrong?” I repeat. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything is just right.

Since that first day I saw Camille at the Feed Haven, I knew my life would be forever changed. I just had no idea how good it could get.

Camille reaches up and cups my cheek. “Are you sure about this? If you’ve changed your mind about us, I’d rather know now than later.”

I hold her face in my hands. “Changed my mind? About you and Katie? You’re my family, baby. You’re stuck with me.”

“Can you—” she starts and then stops as her cheeks turn red and she shakes her head. “Forget it.”

I put my finger on her chin and lift her head so she’s looking up at me. “What is it? Say it.”

She shrugs and tries to look away, but I don’t let her. “Talk to me, baby. Tell me what’s going on in that pretty head of yours.”

She doesn’t give me that smile she usually does when I call her baby, and it tells me there’s something really bothering her. She bites her lip and then says, “I need you to love Katie like she’s your child, Elliott, and if you can’t do that, I need you to tell me now. I know it’s a lot to ask but—”

I lean toward her, wanting to get closer to her without disturbing Katie. “Katie is mine, Camille. She’s my daughter. What am I doing wrong? Tell me and I’ll fix it.”

I’ve never seen her look so unsure. “It’s just, I know how it is, that’s all. I was told my whole life that I would never be loved like a real daughter. I always said I’d do better for my kids and—”

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