Page 20 of Stranded with a Very-Kissable Cowboy

I wait for them to do it, knowing I can’t look at him. If I do, I’ll break down and cry, and I’m not going to do it. This will be the last night I have with Ethan and Evan, and I’m going to make sure it’s a night for them to remember.

Their dad says yes, and without a backwards glance, I walk them outside to the barn and listen to them talk and laugh, making sure I soak it all in.

I’m going to miss this place. I’m going to miss Dalton, and I’m going to miss Ethan and Evan.

CHAPTER 18

DALTON

I’m sittingon the back deck, replaying the conversation in my head. Gianna and the boys are back from their fishing expedition. They stayed out late because she wanted to make sure they both caught a fish, and when they came home, they were all smiles. The boys insisted on her helping them get ready for bed, so I’ve been down here, sitting on the back porch since they went upstairs. All I can think about is what Gianna said.If I watched her videos, I didn’t watch them close enough.

I open the app and go to her page. I go to the videos that she posted since she left here and watch the first one.

“I’m here with Hope Ford, and we’re talking about her book,Protective Cowboy. I read this last night, and it is so good. I love that Natalie is a strong woman but King showed her that she didn’t have to do it all by herself. There is nothing like a protective cowboy, and this book was five stars.”

The next video, she’s standing with another woman, holding up another book. “I’m here with Matilda Martel, and we’re talking about her book,Big Bad Daddy. He’s a grumpy mafia man, andshe’s twenty years younger. There is nothing… I mean nothing, like a good age gap story, and this is one of the best.”

I run my hand through my beard. So protective cowboy and age gap.

I watch the next video, and Gia smiles into the camera. “Ooh, I have a treat for you on this one. I’m here with Elyse Kelly, and we’re talking about her superhot book,Sentinel. They fall fast, and it is insta everything. Instant love, instant lust, and instant big “o’s,” if you know what I mean. Go get this five star read from Elyse Kelly.”

Is this another clue? Protective cowboy, age gap, and instant love.

I click on the next video, and Gia is waving her hand in front of her face like she’s overheated. “Y’all!!! I’m here with Eve London, and we’re talking aboutTempting the Tight End,and it is oh so tempting. Holt hires a nanny for his daughter, and even though it’s a little forbidden, he can’t resist her. Who doesn’t love a story where the man falls for the nanny? Super hot!”

I stare at the phone and begin to wonder how I missed it all. Protective cowboy, age gap, instant love, and a boss/nanny romance. She’s talking about us. Even with her gone, away from me, the ranch and the boys, she’s talking about me.

I push the button to play the very last video she posted, and it’s her at a gas station, putting gas into my truck. She talks about the event she just left and apologizes to everyone for leaving early, but she’s excited to get home. She looks up at the sky and then back at the camera. “I’m missing starry skies, holding hands, hugs that leave you sticky, brown eyes that you can get lost in, and kisses that make your toes curl and make you thinkabout the future.” She trembles, and her smile gets even bigger. “I’m signing off, friends. I’ll see you in a few days.”

I sit back in shock, staring open-mouthed at the phone. Every video was meant for me. She wanted me to know that she missed me, the boys, and the ranch.

I walk toward her room, knock on the door, and push it open before she can answer.

She sits up, wiping at her eyes. It’s obvious she’s been crying, and the sight guts me. I did this to her.

“What is it? Are you okay?”

I don’t answer. I should have planned this out a little better. I stare at her.

She wipes her eyes again. “Dalton, are the boys okay?”

“Yeah, I’m the one that’s not okay.”

She sniffs. “Are you sick?”

I nod and take a step toward the bed. “Yeah, but it’s a different kind of sick.”

She looks concerned, and it kills me that I treated her the way I did. “What’s wrong?”

I move to the bed and stand next to her. I put my hand to my heart. “I hurt right here.”

She gets out of the bed. “Dalton, are you okay? Sit down and I’ll call for help.”

She puts her hands on my shoulders, trying to push me to the bed, but I stay where I am and put my hands on her waist. “You want to help me?”

She nods. “Of course.”

I pull her to me. “Then don’t leave tomorrow. If you do, you’ll be taking a part of my heart with you.”

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