Page 20 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

“Hey,” Zeke said, stepping closer, his voice gentle but firm. “Don’t do that. Don’t diminish how incredible you are, Marvel. I already know you’re an amazing woman. And a fantastic mother. Stetson’s a great kid—that’s all you. But you won’t carry that load by yourself anymore. That’s what family is for.”

His words should have soothed, but they stirred rebellion within her—a fierce independence born of necessity. Yet when he reached out, enveloping her clenched fist with his broad, calloused hand, something in her unclenched just a fraction.

“Why do you keep calling me that?”

His eyes widened a fraction of an inch. “What? Marvel?”

She nodded, confirming the question.

Zeke’s hand went to the back of his neck, squeezing it slightly. “The other day, when I met you at the diner, when I realized what you were doing to protect your son… You’re like Superwoman. But that wasn’t quite good enough, and something else came to mind. Captain Marvel is the most powerful superhero – even more than all the men. Plus, she loves so fiercely, there’s nothing that can stop her from protecting the people she loves. Kind of like you,” he offered with a shy smile. “So… Marvel.” He shrugged.

Well, there went her heart sliding onto the floor. He’d officially turned it into a puddle of ooze with an awkward and slightly nerdy soliloquy about female superheroes. That was how he saw her? Not as some pitiful waif who needed a big strong man to come save her? Because that’s how she saw herself.

“I... I still need to figure some things out on my own.” She brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a small act of fortitude. “I need Stetson enrolled in school and then maybe find a job for myself.”

At the mention of work, a frown momentarily creased Zeke’s brow. Kaitlyn ignored it, already turning over her options in her mind, planning as she always did—alone.

“Kaitlyn—” he began, but she cut him off with a determined shake of her head.

“I’ve been on my own for a long time, Zeke. I appreciate all you’re doing, truly, but I can’t just stop taking care of myself and my son.” Her words carried the unyielding edge of someone who had learned the hard way that dependence often led to disappointment. She’d tried to depend on her parents. Tried to depend on Stetson’s sperm donor. And in the end, she’d only ever been able to depend on herself.

“Of course,” Zeke replied, though his voice held a note of something unreadable—a protective urge perhaps, or a hint of concern. It was clear he wasn’t used to standing aside, but this was her battle to fight, her path to walk.

He glanced up at her, a flash of emotion in his eyes. “I’ve got things to do on the ranch. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

He disappeared into the bedroom, and she went into the kitchen to fix a snack for Stetson.

Zeke was already on his way back out of the bedroom. He’d taken off the sport coat and solid button-down he’d worn to their wedding and replaced it with a worn henley that hugged his chest and arms. Kaitlyn watched wordlessly as he grabbed a brown Carhartt jacket off the hook by the door.

His eyes found hers as he reached for the doorknob, then flicked down to Stetson beside her. “Would you… would he want to come with me?”

She exhaled, the tightness in her chest loosening another notch. However stilted things felt between her and… her husband, he truly seemed to be interested in Stetson. That was certainly a mark in his favor.

“Oh, can I, Mom? Please?”

She smiled down at him. He was bouncing eagerly, waiting for her answer. “Go change. And listen to Mr. Zeke, no matter what.”

“I will!” he cried, racing across the room to his small duffel bag.

In a matter of minutes, she was alone in the small house. With a glance around, she decided the only option was to get to work. Zeke was giving her everything. A home. A family. A father to her son. And he wasn’t asking for anything in return. She frowned at the realization that she had no real idea why he’d actually agreed to this arrangement. What was in it for him?

She set the thought aside for now. Whatever his motivation, she’d work her tail off every day to make sure he didn’t regret his decision to marry her. Starting with cleaning this cabin from top to bottom and making sure dinner was waiting for him when he got back.

A few hours later, a bone-weary Kaitlyn looked down at the meal before her—a simple but savory chicken dish with steamed broccoli. It wasn’t nearly as good as Zeke’s food the night before, but he seemed to appreciate it, nonetheless.

Stetson, his cheeks flushed with excitement, dug into his food with the earnestness only a five-year-old could muster.

“You ready to meet your aunt and uncles tomorrow?” Zeke asked Stetson, his voice warm. “If we’re lucky, I’ll convince Gideon to take you on a hike.”

A flash of anxiety rushed through her. “Is that safe?”

“Really?” Stetson’s eyes lit up, the spoon halfway to his mouth forgotten.

“Really and truly,” Zeke assured him, then turned his attention to Kaitlyn. She caught the softness in his gaze, though his words weren’t soft. “He’ll be perfectly safe. I thought we could all go over to the main house for brunch. I don’t think I can hold off my family any longer. As it is, we’ve been lucky my parents were in Denver today. Otherwise, I think Mom would have been knocking down my door. They’re eager to meet you both.”

Kaitlyn’s heart fluttered like a trapped bird within her chest. Meeting Zeke’s family felt overwhelming and irreversible. Yet, she managed a nod, her throat too tight for words.

“Sounds nice,” she finally managed, her voice a mere whisper.

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