Page 35 of The Texas Cowboy's Proposal

“You both are not funny. I don’t know why I confided in either of you.” Beaudry stood and did his third round of pacing.

“Because you need witnesses,” Matt spoke up.

“Or someone to pick you up off the ground after she decks you when this crazy idea of yours goes south,” Jaxson added matter-of-factly. He half turned from his post at the window. “Hey, Matt, you got a first aid kit handy by any chance? We might take that along just in case.”

“Good idea. I think we have one out in the front office.”

“I realize you two are enjoying this, but just remember, one of these days, I’ll be doing the same for each of you, and we’ll see about some payback then.”

Jaxson shook his head and turned back to the window. “Won’t be for me. I have enough headaches with four-footed females. Matt’s the true Romeo in this group. He’ll be the one.”

Matt shook his head. “To please one woman’s fantasy would be to break many other hearts. I would not want to be responsible for that.”

That brought coughs and sputters from both Hawkes brothers and a wide grin from the attorney.

All that ended abruptly when Jaxson said, “I see the Aces High truck headed around the square. It’s showtime, boys.”

Across the street, the trio went, serious faces all. Beaudry was flanked on either side by Jaxson and Matt.

“I just had a thought. Remember the scene from that movie? You’re Wyatt Earp,” Jaxson said. “And you’re dressed fancy enough to be Doc Holliday, Matt. Guess that makes me—”

“An idiot,” Beaudry finished the sentence for him. They came to a stop at the top of the courthouse steps. It was noon, so most of the offices had closed and visitors in the building was few and far between at that hour. The truck parked and both doors opened. He had eyes only for Sammi Jo.

“Surprise, surprise,” Jaxson whispered in his ear. The passenger had stepped into full view, and his brother clearly had his gaze homed in on Laurel. No one would really know that because the dark shades hid the direction of his gaze well. But Beaudry knew exactly who he was talking about.

“Looks like the gang’s all here and then some.” Matt brought their attention to the gathering bodies under the shade trees on the surrounding lawn and those enjoying their brown bag lunches from their office windows, all settled in to watch the show unfold.

“Wonder how word passed so fast? Which one of you blabbed?” Beaudry whispered while maintaining a straight face.

“Here goes the peace and quiet again of my morning coffee at the café. You’ll be all I’ll hear and read about for a week or more.” Jaxson moaned.

“Nah. Stuff this good? Give it three weeks,” Matt chimed in.

Beaudry simply shot a glance upward, possibly seeking some divine intervention in the moment.

“That’s a smart man,” Laurel said sweetly as they reached the trio. “He’s saying a prayer.”

Matt stifled a chuckle—or tried to.

“Are you seriously going through with this? You can change your mind, you know. Three years is a long time. I gave you an out. Take it.” Sammi Jo met Beaudry’s steady gaze with her own.

“As far as I’m concerned, it isn’t long enough. And I don’t need an out from anything. Matt’s brought the agreement.” The attorney produced the document from inside his suit pocket and handed it over to Beaudry.

Laurel was quick and produced a writing pen, giving it over to Sammi Jo.

“Ladies first.” Beaudry nodded.

Sammi Jo only had a moment’s hesitation. Then she signed where Matt indicated. She shoved the paper back into Beaudry’s outstretched hand.

Beaudry looked over the paper once more. Then he handed the pen back to Laurel, who took it with a puzzled look toward her sister. They all watched in silence as Beaudry held up the paper in his hand as though he were showing it off to all assembled. Slowly, his fingers began to tear the document into long shreds, his gaze still on a shocked Sammi Jo. He then tore those six long pieces sideways in the same manner and handed them all over to Matt.

“We wouldn’t want to be arrested on the courthouse steps for littering.”

“Are you out of your mind? Is this some sort of joke?” Sammi Jo was clearly at a loss.

*

“Joke? No. Iam very serious. And I am not out of my mind, at least not any longer.” Beaudry had fixed his gaze on Sammi Jo, oblivious to anything else around them. He knew without a doubt that this moment and day would forever be the one etched into his memory when others may have faded. A slight clearing of throat from his friend beside him and he remembered what came next.

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