Page 66 of Some Cowboys Brave the Flames

He grasped her hands in both of his and held them firmly, lowering his head so it touched hers. His eyes locked on hers, forcing her to slow her desperate movements. “I’m still going to be a firefighter.”

She blinked and pulled back to get a better look at him. “You are?”

Ash nodded. “I told him I want to stay local. I can help out with house fires, car accidents, and other emergencies just as well as I did as a smoke jumper. It’s still dangerous…” he hedged, “but it’s not as bad as jumping out of a plane and into the fray.” He watched her. It was almost as if he were holding his breath as he waited for a response. He hadn’t quit his job. He hadn’t completely given up what he loved for her.

Relief crashed into her. She would have never forgiven herself if she’d been successful in forcing his hand with such a request. She loved Ash for who he was. She didn’t want anything about that to change, and she got a feeling if he walked away from being a firefighter, something would.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel conflicted about what he was giving up. “But you love being a smoke jumper.”

“I love you more.”

Her lips pressed together. “Ash?—”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s okay, Charlie. Really. I’ve had plenty of time to think about what I want and where I want my life to go. I’ve realized something really important. I don’t want to do any of it without you.”

She blinked back the tears. “Are you sure?”

He nodded with a chuckle. “I haven’t been surer about anything in my life. You were right about one thing.”

Charlie tilted her head as she peered up at him. “What about?”

“If I want a family… if I plan on being a father… I need to make sure I do everything in my power to make sure I’m there for them. I need to be present. I need to be safe. I can’t be any of that if I’m traipsing off to other parts of the state to fight fires.”

She didn’t miss the way his voice had softened when he mentioned starting a family. Her stomach swirled with a new sort of delight. She might be young, and she was still learning how to communicate better. She wanted to improve in putting Ash first, too. She didn’t have the words to tell him as much. Anything she might be able to say would likely fall flat.

Instead, Charlie pulled up against him and wrapped her arms around him. “That’s… a great plan,” she whispered.

His arms slipped around her, slowly at first, hesitantly, almost. He pulled her tight against his body and rested his chin atop her head. She could feel his heart beating in his throat as she snuggled closer to him. He ran his hands up and down her back, setting off a fresh wave of shivers. “I’m starting to realize that I need to prioritize things a little differently. I don’t want to be a single bachelor forever.”

She smiled into his neck at that. A man like Ash wouldn’t remain single for long—not if he wanted to settle down.

“I love you, Charlie,” he whispered. The sounds of hoofbeats drew closer. Her family would be at their sides in a matter ofseconds. Ash’s arms tightened around her as if he feared that someone would take her from him. “I’ve loved you longer than you will ever believe.”

She withdrew just enough to peer up at him, question and amusement in her gaze. “Oh? I seriously doubt that.”

The corners of his lips quirked upward, but then they faded as his gaze shifted to what could only be the arrival of her family. Charlie wasn’t sure she wanted to turn around and face them. She’d caused so much drama in the last couple of months, and she wouldn’t have been surprised if any of her brothers told her she was making a mistake. Nor would she be surprised if they sent Ash on his way.

“Ash,” one of them said low enough that she wasn’t sure which one it was.

Ash’s short nod preceded his response. “Daniel.”

No one else spoke. Shuffling sounds of those dismounting were followed by voices growing quieter as half of the group headed for the house. The other half led the animals into the barn. Charlie only caught sight of Mason’s curious gaze briefly before he disappeared, holding the reins of two horses.

Daniel grabbed her horse’s reins and gave her a firm stare. She couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to warn her—or perhaps he was trying to push her to some outcome she wasn’t aware of. He didn’t say anything. Instead, he too disappeared into the barn.

Charlie looked up at Ash, marveling and in utter disbelief over what had just happened. “They didn’t tell you to leave.”

Ash shook his head. “No, they didn’t.”

She grinned. “Does that mean what I think it means?”

He turned his eyes to her, his smile matching her own. “That your brothers are finally staying out of your business? I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it for myself.”

Charlie chewed on the inside of her cheek. “So, what now?”

Ash pulled her close again, his grip so strong she knew she wouldn’t be able to escape even if she wanted to. “We’re going to try this again.”

“Try what again?”

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