Page 22 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

How could she keep her heart guarded when every little act of kindness from Zeke chipped away at her resolve? His deliberate movements, the way he’d ensured Stetson felt comfortable, his measured words, the protective aura he wore as naturally as his boots—it all spoke of a man who lived his faith and who saw beyond the surface.

And wasn’t that what scared her most? That he might see the layers of hurt and longing she hid so carefully? That she might actually depend on him and then have it ripped away.

“Good night, Kaitlyn,” Zeke’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if he too battled with the strangeness of their situation.

“Good night, Zeke.” Her reply barely carried across the small room.

They lay there in silence, the only sound the distant call of night birds and the whisper of wind through the trees outside. As sleep eluded her grasp, Kaitlyn found herself tracing the memory of Zeke’s lips against hers, wondering how she could possibly keep her heart from tangling up with this tough-but-tender cowboy who was now her husband.

11

Zeke pushed open the door to the sprawling kitchen of his parents’ house, the aroma of sizzling bacon and sweet cinnamon enveloping him. His family’s laughter and chatter swirled around the room. The sight of his mom, her tawny-brown hair catching the sunlight streaming through the window as she flipped pancakes with practiced ease, pulled at the corners of his mouth.

“Good morning,” he called above the din. “I want you all to meet someone very special.”

He felt the steady thump of his heart against his ribs. Beside him, Kaitlyn clasped Stetson’s hand, her dark eyes scanning the room with a mixture of awe and uncertainty.

A hush fell over the room for a heartbeat. A soft gasp came from his mother, before warmth flooded back in waves.

“This is Kaitlyn,” Zeke announced, clearing his throat, “my wife. And this little man here is Stetson.”

His father stepped forward first. His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, and his arms spread wide in a gesture that beckoned them closer.

Zeke sighed in relief. His dad wasn’t a bad guy, just stubborn when it came to certain things. Like the notion that Zeke had to be the one to run the ranch.

“Well, welcome to the family,” Barry boomed, wrapping Kaitlyn in a bear hug that lifted her feet off the ground momentarily.

His mom set down her spatula, a maternal glow radiating from her as she approached. Her eyes sparkled with joy, particularly when they landed on Stetson. She knelt before him, her smile tender and genuine.

“Hello, Stetson,” she said, opening her arms. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Zeke’s mom. Your... grandma, I suppose,” she added with a surprised laugh. Zeke’s heart swelled.

Stetson hesitated, then shuffled into Connie’s embrace, his small arms tentatively encircling her neck. Connie looked up to meet Zeke’s eyes, her expression confused but supportive. She probably had a million questions.

The kitchen was filled with soft murmurs of affection as the family drew closer, surrounding them in a cocoon of acceptance and love. Zeke watched, a quiet satisfaction settling in his soul as the two halves of his world melded together in this simple kitchen, amidst the comforting cadence of home.

Kaitlyn’s fingers interlaced and twisted in front of her, the fabric of her skirt bunching slightly as his dad released her from his embrace. She caught Zeke’s gaze, and he tried to give her a reassuring smile. His mom pulled her in next, and Kaitlyn’s eyes closed as she seemed to soak in the embrace.

Zeke stood back, his eyes tracing Kaitlyn’s every move. Every muscle in his body tensed with the need to bridge the gap between them, to place a reassuring touch at the small of her back. But he refrained, not knowing what she would want.

“When do I get my thank you card, big brother?” Gideon asked, breaking into Zeke’s thoughts.

Zeke turned to see his younger sibling leaning against the doorframe, an impish grin playing on his lips. Gideon’s wink held the mischief of their childhood escapades, and the nod that followed was laden with unspoken words. Gideon had placed the advertisement on that billboard — a wild shot in the dark that had brought Kaitlyn into Zeke’s life.

“Just because you played Cupid with a billboard doesn’t mean you get credit,” Zeke murmured back, the corner of his mouth lifting despite his attempt to stay solemn.

“Hey, God works in mysterious ways, right?” Gideon chuckled, pushing off from the frame to join the rest of the family.

Zeke watched as Kaitlyn’s shoulders relaxed ever so slightly under Gideon’s light-hearted banter. A breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding escaped him. This was home. This was family. And Kaitlyn, with her quiet strength and Stetson’s trusting hand in hers, was now part of it all.

The aroma of fresh coffee mingled with the sweet scent of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven, a signature touch of Connie Reynolds’ kitchen. Zeke felt the undercurrent of whispers and glances from his family as they took in Kaitlyn’s presence. His sister Cassie, with her inquisitive blue eyes so much like his own, peered at Kaitlyn, her gaze settling on Stetson with a curious tilt of her head. Zeke flashed her a warning look when his sister’s eyes finally found his own.

He loved his sister, but he didn’t want her to make Kaitlyn feel uncomfortable.

They moved toward the dining room. “Come sit over here, dear,” Connie said, her tone warm as she beckoned Kaitlyn to an empty chair beside her. She patted the seat with a welcoming hand, her smile reaching her eyes that sparkled with genuine kindness.

Kaitlyn hesitated for a heartbeat before accepting the invitation. She slid into the chair, Stetson climbing onto her lap where she wrapped her arms around him.

“So you’re married?” Connie asked with a hint of melancholy. “When did that happen?”

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