Page 24 of The Texas Cowboy's Proposal

“I think we need to find some cotton candy and double-buttered popcorn. Then we’ll ride the tallest roller coaster they have here. That’s what I say.”

Lacy shot a high five toward Sammi Jo. “This is a great day, Daddy. The best! Let’s go!”

*

For the nextcouple of hours, the three of them enjoyed the fair, just like any other young family. They ate junk food, lost at the expensive games on the midway, and rode two roller coasters, and then Beaudry bowed out of the rest of the rides. He was fine standing on the ground and watching Lacy and Sammi Jo while he held the second round of cotton candy and lemonades.

He nodded as Lacy rounded the second time on the ride that went backward really fast and then faster still, her laughter matching Sammi Jo’s, who was hanging on for life beside her in the small car.

Beaudry stood in silent amazement. The day had begun quietly enough, and no way could he have imagined where they would end up. Or how they had gotten to this point. But he would forever remember it had begun with a kiss. He would never have believed a kiss could rock a person’s entire world before he had experienced it today. For whatever reason, when he had looked up from his heated discussion with his ex and seen Sammi Jo, she was the port in the storm. The only person who made sense. The kiss had justhappened.

And the unexpected part of it all was her response. It might have been a while, but he recognized a woman who, while caught off guard, was not totally unwelcoming. In another location with a lot less audience, he would have wanted to taste the sweetness of her lips a lot longer, feel the way her body fit against his, and....

He needed to remember where he was and not make a total fool of himself. But there was definitely something he and Sammi Jo needed to have a talk about when they were alone.

For the present, there were a few things to be discussed now that their “romance” was out in the open for all to see. And that included his little girl. She had made no bones about the fact that she wholeheartedly agreed with them being a couple. But there was still that caution sign flashing in the back of his mind. That kiss had just made that final decision a lot more complicated to navigate in less than three weeks.

The ride had ended, and the pair was walking toward him. He needed to keep his mind on the here and now. And definitely no more thoughts of those pink lips wrapping themselves around the drink straw at the moment.

“Dad. Daddy? Are you listening?” Lacy was looking up at him.

“Yes, Lacy. I was just thinking it’s about time that we head back to the barns. I have to get ready for my next event.”

Her crestfallen shoulders spoke volumes.

“Well, I have free time before I have to go back to the hotel and get ready to attend a boring business dinner with the board of the bank and my sister. If you don’t mind, Lacy and I could spend some more time taking in the exhibits and other stuff.”

“Please, Daddy? And can I go over to the fishing pond”—she nodded at the carnival game a few steps away—“and try for a fish?”

“Sure.” He handed over the necessary tickets and watched her. They were far enough removed that his daughter couldn’t overhear their conversation.

“You do realize that if she puts two rings around the bottlenecks, you’ll be carrying home a live goldfish, right?”

“That thought crossed my mind after I agreed. Now, I’m hoping her aim has not improved since the last time she tried this game. But I did want to talk to you without her around.”

Sammi Jo nodded and kept her gaze on the little girl. “I figured you might not want her around the arena in case her mother came back again. Unless, of course, that’s changed, and in that case, I—”

“No, that has not changed. If anything, it just proves this has got to stop once and for all. I guess I’m going to have to talk with Matt and play hardball.”

“So, you hadn’t planned to meet her here? She just showed up?”

His eyes locked with hers. “That was certainly not the case. What it shows is that the state of Texas is not big enough for the both of us. She claims she came along with her stepmother and the woman’s fiancé to watch his cow dog compete this morning in herding. But who knows with her? I’ve never known her to like anything about fairs unless she was looking for some cowboy to have a good time with until his pockets ran dry.”

“I’m sorry that you had such a bad marriage. You deserved a lot better than what you had to go through.”

Her sincerity touched another spot in his chest, and he spoke words that just came in the moment. “I wish I had paid more attention to an irritating next-door neighbor. I find I was wrong about a lot of things. You are one of them. I’m sorry for my behavior back then.”

“Just back then? You seemed to be very irritated the afternoon I showed up uninvited and basically demanded you marry me. Sure you don’t want to include any behaviors up to this moment?”

He had to smile. “You wouldn’t be flirting with me, would you? Wondering if I will be apologizing for kissing you earlier? Because that would be a definiteno.I won’t apologize for something that was so surprising and yet very enjoyable. Unless you do expect me to apologize?” He’d just toss the ball back in her court.

She fixed him with a cool look from those topaz-blue eyes that definitely sped up his vitals. “I’ve never been accused of being a flirt. There wasn’t much use for that on the ranch. However, I would expect you to apologize if your intent was just to use me and our situation to make your ex jealous. I don’t have time for flirting or game-playing. This is my life and the lives of a lot of others depending on me—and on you, if you decide to take up the offer—to make this all work. I told you that I would do everything in my power to make this easy, to safeguard Lacy as best as I could, and I do expect the same in return from you. I won’t be used to make Sandy Lou or any other female jealous or angry. For three years, I will adhere to the vows we have to take, and so will you. Get out now if that seems too hard for you.”

“Well, this isn’t exactly where I expected this talk to happen right now. But you can count on me upholding my side of the bargain and any vows I make. Although, if you think I won’t kiss you again when the time is right for both of us, then think again. But only if you’re a willing participant. That I can promise.”

Was that a hint of pink staining her cheeks to match those lips? Had the thought of his kissing her again brought about a blush?My, my. This could get very interesting.

It could also be playing with fire, where hearts could become involved.

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