Page 11 of The Bull Rider & the Wedding Planner

Cassie stiffened instead of melting into him like he’d hoped.

“You don’t need to hold me too,” she snipped at him, hurrying down the porch steps.

Her words bit colder than the night air and were not refreshing at all. He followed her down the porch steps.

“Mama, why’s you mad?” Presley asked, lifting her head to stare at her mother.

“I’m not, sweetie,” Cassie hastened to say. “Just tired.”

“I not tired,” Presley said, laying her head on Easton’s shoulder again.

“You look very awake, Princess,” he teased, cradling her in both arms like an infant.

“I only resting cause you’re big and strong and can carry me.” She blinked her long-lashed eyes at him.

Easton was officially smitten. With a four-year-old. “That I can, Princess Presley, with all my brawny rizz.” He shifted her to his left arm, flexed his right, and sang to her, “‘Have you heard about the big strong man, he lived in a caravan?’”

Presley laughed and he even heard a chortle from Cassie. He grinned. He loved being with them and wasstoked his songs were back. All of this coming together had to be a sign from his Father above.

They fell into step and walked along the snow-covered road and through the trees to Lily’s cabin. A small animal rustled through the trees to their right. Cassie jumped and bumped into him.

Easton quickly wrapped her up in his free arm. “You all right there, sweetheart?”

She cuddled into him and his heart took flight. Right here on this path he was the king of the world and had everything he needed in his arms.

“It scared me,” she admitted. Then she shrugged out of his arm and plowed ahead on the trail, fleeing from their perfect moment.

“Mama needs a bed, not me,” Presley said tartly.

Easton chuckled at that and got a dagger-sharp glare from Cassie. “Salty,” he murmured, arching his eyebrows at Presley. She grinned back at him.

They cleared the trees and walked to Lily and Daisy’s little cabin and up onto the front porch. Cassie punched in the numbers on the dead bolt and turned the lock. Clint had the keyless deadbolt installed when Lily insisted she needed to live at her own place after their fake engagement stint when Clint protected Lily from a murderer and they fell in love.

Easton caught and held the door. Cassie murmured her thanks. She walked in and turned on a light. He shut the door behind them and asked, “Where should I sing this princess her gucci songs?”

“Just a minute,” Presley called out. “I gots to pee and brush me teeth.” She squirmed and he set her on the ground. She darted toward the bathroom between the two bedrooms.

Cassie looked caught. She stared at him and then away. Easton couldn’t think of a time when they’d dated that things had been uncomfortable between them. They were definitely uncomfortable now. The air felt tight, stretched, and he didn’t know how to make it better. That was rare for him too.

Was true love supposed to hurt this deep? It sure had, for six awful years.

“I’ll … go help her.” Cassie rushed after her daughter, closing the bathroom door behind them.

Easton took his hat off, wondering what she thought of his puckered, ugly scars. He knocked the hat against his hand a few times before he set it on the table and ruffled his hair. What was he doing here? Cassie had destroyed him and was being prickly as a porcupine. He wasn’t just letting down his guard; he was trying to plow his way into their lives and their hearts. It was frustrating that she acted like he’d wronged her instead of the other way around.

He shifted his weight and prayed for insight, ignoring his phone buzzing in his pocket. Which of his brothers was wanting details or trying to save him from himself? Marci had been in full approval when he’d told her on the way over about Cassie and Presley. Walker had wanted to support him but was worried he’d get shattered again. Only Walker had been privy to Easton’s pain.

The bathroom door opened, and Cassie and Presley’s beautiful faces appeared. Cassie looked cautious and uncomfortable. Presley looked lit up and happy. The four-year-old ran to him, jumping with her skinny arms outstretched.

Easton easily caught her and lifted her up into his arms. All was right in the world. Or would be if Cassie would runat him and jump.

“That slaps, Princess Presley. Are you low-key ready for your songs?”

“Yes sir,” Presley called out.

He looked to Cassie. She sighed and pointed to the left. “We’re staying in Daisy’s room.”

Easton nodded and carried Presley into the bedroom. Cassie hurried around him and skirted the queen-size bed. She pulled down the covers.

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