Page 40 of Roping Reba

She let out a soft laugh. I reached for her free hand, lacing my fingers through hers.

“I’ve loved you since the first time you chewed me out at that damn rodeo. And I’ve spent every day since trying to figure out how to be the man you deserve.”

She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering.

“I know I screwed up once, but I also know that you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and to Jax. I don’t want another damn day to pass without making it official.”

I dropped to one knee, my heart hammering as Jax leaned into me, looking up at her.

“Reba, will you marry me?”

“And be my mama?” Jax said as soon as I finished my question.

For a second, she just stared at us both, her fingers tightening around mine. Then, in true Reba fashion, she let out a breathless laugh.

“You two were really gonna make the horse propose, huh?”

I chuckled, shaking my head as I looked up at her. “Maybe, but none of that matters now. All that matters is that you say yes.”

She exhaled, blinking rapidly as a few stray tears slipped free. Then she dropped to her knees in front of us, wrapped her arms so tightly around me and my boy, I nearly lost my balance. Jax pulled away laughing then whooped in the background, clapping his hands as she reached for my face cupping it in her hands and kissed me so fiercely my heart soared. When she finally pulled back, she rested her forehead against mine.

“Yeah, cowboy. I’ll marry you and our boy.”

Relief crashed over me like a damn tidal wave.

Jax barreled into us, wrapping his arms around both of our necks. “We’re gonna be a real family now!”

I hugged them both tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of Reba’s head before slipping the ring onto her finger.

“Yeah, buddy,” I murmured.

Reba reached for Jax. “We are already a real family.”

He gave her a huge hug as Onex huffed beside us, shaking out her mane as if to sayfinally.I sat there, tangled up with the two people who meant everything to me and I knew there was nowhere else in the world I’d rather be. Mac’s ranch had been home for a long time but this was a different type of home. Jax and Reba were home and it didn’t matter where we were or where we were going, we’d always have each other.

CHAPTER 17

Reba

The sky was shades of pink and gold, the last remnants of the sun dipping below the horizon as I leaned against the fence, watching Johnny work with Onex in the pasture. All the horses we’d brought home from Rawhide were supposed to move to the barn with the others, but my love for them made Johnny’s desire to keep them close. Each had their own name and personality now.

Onex had begun training and the others weren’t far behind. They were magnificent creatures and everything they did took my breath away. I had worked with hundreds of horses in my career but there was something about how they’d brought Johnny and I together that made them so special. It had been months since our wedding, but every time I looked at him, my heart still did that foolish little dance in my chest, and today was no exception.

As he led Onex through the pasture on her lead, the desire to jump the fence and have him do the same to me was overwhelming. His dominance had become something I loved.The way he stepped in and led our life in certain aspects had become a joy. We worked well together. What mattered most to me he let me handle, and he took care of the rest. I couldn’t ask for more in a partner.

Jax was fast asleep inside, exhausted from an afternoon of racing Fiona, his new favorite mare over the fields, and for the first time all day, Johnny and I had a few stolen moments to ourselves. He caught my eye as he ran a hand down Onex’s strong neck, a slow, knowing grin spreading across his face.

“Caught you staring, Crazy Rider,” he teased, walking toward me with that calm confidence that never failed to make me crazy.

“Just admiring the view.”

Johnny chuckled as he leaned against the fence beside me, brushing his fingers over my hand. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“I don’t know. What are you thinking?”

He turned his body toward me, his other hand coming up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m thinking I love this life we’ve built. And I’m thinking I wouldn’t mind adding to it.”

My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly what he meant, and yet, the words still sent a thrill through me. “More kids? Are we ready?”

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