Page 40 of Some Cowboys Fight for Love

He scoffed. “While I appreciate the compliment, I think you might be biased. I have no experience.”

Aria twisted around so she could look at him fully. “You do, though. Just because you’re self-taught doesn’t mean you aren’t good enough to enter a competition. You should submit one of your drafts. It wouldn’t hurt, right? Think about if you won. You’d get a full ride. I’m sure you’ll?—”

Daniel pried the phone from her fingers with a smile, clicking the button on the side to turn it off. “And what then? Move out to New York?” Disgust filtered through his expression. “I’d rather not.”

“But—” she started, prepared to fight for something she knew would make him happy if he’d only take the chance, but he interrupted her when he pulled her closer and she met his simmering gaze.

“I’m happy where I’m at.” He brushed a kiss to the corner of her mouth and said, “I’m happy with you.”

17

Daniel

It wasn’t hard to see that Aria was still hiding things from him. Why was she so insistent on holding back? What could be worse than dealing with her abusive father?

Those questions threatened to consume Daniel for hours until he had no other choice but to focus on the good that was taking place between them. This relationship was still new. He needed to fight the urge to force himself into her life like that. It didn’t matter if he was trying to find out the information so he could protect her. If Aria thought it was best to keep things from him, he needed to trust her.

No matter how hard it felt to do so.

Shoving those thoughts aside, Daniel turned his attention to the drafting pad he had in his lap. He glanced over at Aria where she was playing with the newest litter of Aussie pups. She laughed when one jumped into her lap and licked at her fingers. Their eyes connected, locking for a moment.

Peace. He’d never felt like this before. His heart had this strange habit of stilling before it set off racing, just like his thoughts. When he looked at her, he could see a future with her—with this woman who could bring him such happiness.

She’d become his every reason for breathing.

That wasn’t normal, was it? To be so obsessed with this woman that all he could think about was making her happy? To keep her safe?

Aria ducked her head, breaking off their shared eye contact so she could give the pups her full attention once more.

The hard lines and stiff posture he’d noted when they first met had fallen away. This was the real Aria—beautiful despite the hardships she’d been through—and everything he knew he wanted.

A sigh of contentment slipped between his lips, and he turned his attention back to the drawing he was working on. It was a house—big enough for a huge family—and every bit the future he wanted.

A future he wanted with her.

Pencil in hand, he continued making adjustments to the home. Three stories including the basement. There was an oversized porch that wrapped around the whole house—one where children could wreak havoc as they played tag while their parents visited with each other. There was enough room for a porch swing and a picnic table. Perhaps several.

Granted, it was a bit much for an outdoor addition to a house like this one. Large windows, wood siding, brick accents, and shutters that served as more of an aesthetic rather than a functional purpose.

This house would be large enough to raise a family similar to the size of his own. It was at least three times the size of the one where he’d grown up. Perhaps that was the reason he’d imagined it. As a kid, he’d longed to have a space to call his own. Sharingwith his brothers had been the bane of his existence. They’d been crammed into that house, and he’d lost count of the number of times he’d packed a bag so he could run away.

He never did.

Daniel didn’t know exactly when his interest in drafting began. His childhood hadn’t exactly been the sort most children got. He risked another look in Aria’s direction. She hadn’t gotten the childhood she’d deserved either. Perhaps that was one of the reasons he connected with her so well. While his parents had been absent, hers had done their own damage.

It made him want to plan a future that the both of them could be proud of having. He didn’t know if she wanted children, but that subject didn’t matter as much as he thought it might. He could design a house for either option.

A smile tugged at his lips as he continued adding details to the drawing. He put his heart and soul into this design. With each passing minute, he fell more in love with it. Even if they ended up together and never had children, he’d love this house. He’d host family dinners and holiday parties. He’d insist on having her family move in with them.

Daniel released a huff of a laugh. If his brothers could hear the words that raced through his mind right now, they’d think he was crazy.

Maybe he was.

When he glanced up again at Aria, she wasn’t where she’d been. Only one moment later, he turned to find her sneaking up behind him before she pounced, the trail of puppies coming with her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, a pout on her lips that she hadn’t startled him.

The puppies clambered onto her lap, seeking her attention. Aria pressed a kiss to his cheek, and then her eyes dipped to the image he’d been working on. They grew large and she letout a breathless sigh. “Wow, Daniel. That looks amazing.” She reached forth a hand and traced a finger along the door.

Her reaction would have been ridiculous if he hadn’t gotten to know her better. If there was anyone who supported him, it was Aria. Her beautiful eyes found his and her smile stretched wider. “What inspired this one?”

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