Page 19 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

He grinned, straightened, and strutted to the cupboard. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that she was staring. “Keep focusing on the perplexing question of how I’m not working on the runway modeling western wear.”

“It’s a very good question,” she said.

Opening the cabinet, he found some ointment and a band-aid. He gave her a smoldering look as he returned. “Just like that, I’m back.”

“Thank you.” Her words were sincere.

He squatted down again, smeared some ointment on the Band-aid, and then took the paper towel off. He applied the bandage and then waved his hands. “All finished.” He grinned, then grew serious. “You did great.”

“Thank you.” She looked down as if embarrassed. “Nobody else gets how bad I hate blood.”

That seemed significant. “Anything for you, my sweet but sassy Cass.”

She gave him half of a smile.

He lifted her bandaged hand and asked, “Do your fingers hurt?”

“They did,” she admitted.

“Can I kiss them?”

Her breath came quicker. “Can you still heal any pain?”

Easton nodded very seriously. They had a lot of pain between them, but he was here now and willing to heal it all.

“Yes,” she whispered.

He lifted her fingers to his lips and slowly kissed the tip of each one. Cassie’s eyes were warm and filled with … him.

His thigh muscles were burning from the awkward squatting position, but no way was he going to complain or move. He held her hand in his and took the line to the next level. “How are your lips feeling?”

Cassie’s eyes widened and she let out a sweet sigh. Easton leaned in, certain all of his dreams were about to come true. Just a few more inches ...

She suddenly pulled her hand free. “Fine.My lips are fine.” She stood quickly, edging around him. “I’m going to check on Presley.”

He nodded and straightened. What was going on now? Hadn’t they been having a moment? Was she impervious to the charm she used to love? He didn’t care how hard he had to work to bring Cassie back into his life. He’d never stopped loving her, even through six years of anger, jealousy, and pain. Now she and Presley were here. Right as he’d been injured and questioning how the Lord could knock him down like that. Now he knew it was the merciful Savior telling him they were meant to be together. He could feel it.

Thank you, he prayed in his mind.You know Cassie is all I’ve ever wanted and now Presley is even more amazing. Help me break through to my Cass.

Easton Coleville was ready to settle down, be domesticated, beg, whatever he needed to do to be with his sassy Cassie. He was admittedly scared that she could wreck him again. But he was brave and confident, and he would open his injured heart to the woman who had caused him so much pain. He wanted to tell her he was vulnerable for her and her alone.

She walked back out a few minutes later, her arms folded tightly across her chest. “She’s asleep.”

“Oh.” Easton was at a loss. Did that mean he needed to go?

“Thank you for remembering that I’m a baby about blood and bandaging me.” She held up her hand, and the ‘thank you’ felt like a ‘you should leave’ prompt.

“Not a problem. I’ve always been calm in the face of danger.” He pushed out his chest and she actually smiled. “I’m also a wildland firefighter now, so I’m trained to serve.”

“You are?” Her eyes widened and she unfolded her arms. “Since when?”

“I passed the training four years ago and have deployed when needed every summer since.” Could he brag that he’d had to deploy his shelter last summer and come as close to dying as when the bomb exploded and hurled him off his horse?

Her eyes trailed over him, warm and mesmerizing. He felt ten feet tall. He was always confident, borderline cocky his brothers would say, but he hadn’t felt this great since Cassie had thrust him away that awful night.

“That’s impressive. So you aren’t just a bull-riding womanizer?”

Easton felt his hopes rising again. His persistence and love for her would overcome all the years and agony in the end. He lifted his eyebrows and crossed the distance separating them. “I’m a lot of impressive things, Cassie. Not to flex or anything, but my admirers say I have mad drip and rizz.”

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