Page 54 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“For what?”

“I need to ask you something. But first, it’s okay if you want to say no. Honestly, I’ll understand.”

“What in the world are you talkin’ about.”

“Andy, please can I live with you and Ranger?”

For a moment he was shocked, but seeing the earnest longing in her eyes he quickly recovered.

“Are you sure?” he asked, lowering his voice. “Things have been crazy lately, and tonight—”

“Tonight is what made me realize I don’t want to be without you. I want to wake up with you, and take care of the horses with you, and go to sleep with you, and eat and drink and—”

“Darlin’, I want all those things too.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Tomorrow you can pack your bags and bring them over.”

“Andy, thank you, I love you so much,” she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him.

“Now can we get in the truck?”

“Yes, and when we get home I promise to warm you up.”

“Back at ya,” he quipped with a wink.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

As they walked through the door Ranger came bounding towards them, then ran into the kitchen and stood by the cupboard where Andy kept the treats.

“Like I said, scary smart,” Helen said with a grin. “I’m going to check on—there you are,” she exclaimed as Molly walked in before she could finish. “You look so sleepy.”

“See, I told you she’d be okay,” Andy remarked as he found a milk bone and gave it to Ranger.

“You were right and it’s a relief to know we can leave her if we have to. Come on, sweet girl, let’s get to bed. It’s late and I’m very tired.”

“I’ll be right there. I’m going to let Ranger out for a minute.”

“Okay.”

Moving down the hall and into the bedroom with Molly in her arms, she placed her back in her bed, then moved into the bathroom to freshen up. But as she finished brushing her teeth she heard her phone chine. Worried something else had happened at her parent’s house she hastily lifted it from her pocket.

“Hello?”

“Hey, where are you? It’s Karen. I’m here at Nighthawk with Debbie and Charlene. Come and join us, we haven’t seen you in ages.”

“You sound totally wasted,” Helen replied with a laugh ambling back into the bedroom.

“I am, and you should be too. I’m putting you on speaker. Say hello to the girls.”

Just as the sound of the music and crowd came through the phone, Andy and Ranger walked in.

“Hi, everyone,” Helen said, shouting to be heard over the racket.

“It’s Charlene, where have you been? Ha ha, that rhymes, but seriously, what’s going on?” a female voice yelled back. “We miss you. The night’s still young, get over here.”

“Hi, Charlene, I would but I’m not in town.”

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