Page 84 of A Nice Day for a Cowboy Wedding

“You . . . youloveme.” Love. That word she’d . . . Well, for so long she’d been desperate to hear it, or at least hear it on a day she hadn’t also been smacked across the face. And he’d just said it. And gave her surprises like nights in Denver because his mother was wonderful.

“It’s okay if you think it’s too soon.”

She laughed then, because too soon? “I’ve been trying not to say it for weeks, I think. Forever maybe.”

His mouth finally curved at that, and he pulled her closer. “Say it then.”

She kept her fingers on his face, brushing them across his jaw, keeping her gaze on his. “I love you,” she said, and wasn’t sure he could hear over the song more drunk people were singing next to them.

“Come on, let’s get to the hotel.”

They walked hand in hand, and Cora trusted Shane to lead them where they needed to go in the quickly fading twilight. It was weird not to see much of the sky, the mountains, weirder still tomissit. But Gracely and the Tyler ranch had changed her entire view of the world, and she couldn’t help but be glad.

Shane stopped in front of an elegant building. It was the kind of place she’d spent so much time dreaming about. Fancy and sparkling. The kind Dad had always promised a trip to, and always failed to deliver. The kind Stephen would hold out like a pretty carrot, then always find fault with her and yank it away.

And Shane was the one who’d brought her here—without a promise or a threat or a manipulation. He’d justdoneit.

“Thishotel?”

“I don’t get off the ranch very often,” he was saying as he walked inside and toward the elevators. “I’m not going to stay in a cheap roadside motel.”

Cora could only stare at the lobby as they walked. Chandeliers and gleaming floors and people in pretty dresses.

“You don’t have to check in?”

He pulled a key out of his pocket. “Lindsay took care of everything before she met you guys at the dress place.”

“You Tylers are quite the handy, organized bunch.”

“Most of us anyway.”

They stepped into the elevator with a small group of people. Shane’s arm stayed around her waist, a nice, tight grip. When they reached their floor, he confidently headed down the hall.

He stopped at a door and smoothed the key in front of the pad. They stepped into the room. A king-size bed dominated the space. The only impression she had of the bathroom was gleam and white as she stepped toward the window.

Denver sparkled to life outside, and Cora had the profound realization that her life had well and truly changed.Shehad changed, and the world had opened up to her, and suddenly she felt like she really could accomplish anything.

“Mom said she’d call when they got to the ranch, so you’ll get a chance to talk to Micah tonight. I know she kind of whisked him away before you could get a nice good-bye in.”

“He seemed okay with it,” Cora replied wryly.

“Yeah, but I was worried aboutyouin this case.”

Because he would. Worry about her and take care of her and protect her.Loveher, without her even having to try or manipulate or beg.

He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her neck. It was like some impossible dream, and for a brief, panicked moment she wanted to tell him everything, what a mess she was, what mistakes she’d made. How she’d hurt Micah and herself for so long and was only just now coming out of it, and God, why would he love her?

Because youarecoming out of it. Because you got strong, and you moved on, and you’re a damn good person now. That’s why he loves you.

So, he didn’t need to know, because none of that old stuff mattered. She was a new woman, and this was her new life. He lovedher, and she loved him, and things could work out. They would.

She turned in the circle of his arms and pressed her mouth to his, maybe a little on the side of rough and desperate, but she needed to convince herself that was true.

“I love you, Shane,” she murmured against his mouth.

His arms slid down over her ass, then he hefted her up and against him, exactly the same as the last time they’d had a night alone together.

He lay her out on the bed, his long, gorgeous body sliding over hers. He smiled down at her, sweet and soft. “I love you, Cora.”

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