Page 41 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

His other hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to his. “You could never be a burden, Kaitlyn. You and Stetson are a part of this community now. My priority. You’ll always be worth everything I have and more.”

Tears, held at bay for too long, spilled over again, tracing cold paths down her cheeks. In Zeke’s unwavering gaze, she saw not just a promise but a sanctuary. With a shuddering breath, she let go of the last strands of her solitary resolve, allowing herself to trust—not just in Zeke, but in the possibility of a future where she didn’t have to face every battle alone.

“Zeke, I can’t ask you to—”

“You didn’t ask, I’m offering.” Zeke’s voice softened, the hard edges blurring as he reached for her hand. His fingers laced through hers, a tangible connection that steadied her more than she cared to admit.

“It’s too much.”

“How much?” he demanded.

“Fifteen thousand dollars,” she whispered, ashamed and overwhelmed by the magnitude of the debt.

“Done,” he said. “It’s yours.I’myours. And you’re mine.”

Kaitlyn’s resolve crumbled, her breath catching in a sob that fought its way free. Another confession hovered at the edge ofher lips, a truth so raw and vulnerable she’d kept it locked away, shielded by layers of fear and independence.

“Zeke, I...” Her voice wavered, a whisper against the storm of emotions raging inside her. “I love you. And it scares me so much.” She blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill over. The admission was a surrender, an acknowledgment of how deeply he had embedded himself into her heart. “Because I’ve always been on my own. Relying on someone else, I don’t know if I know how.”

Zeke’s eyes softened, his broad shoulders seeming to draw in the weight of her fears as if ready to bear them alongside her. He stepped even closer, bridging the last of the physical distance between them, his presence a steady force in the chaos of her world.

“Kaitlyn,” he said, his voice low and earnest, “I can’t promise the ground will never shake, but I can promise to hold you through every tremor. To be the one constant you can count on. You are mine, do you hear me? To provide for. To protect. To care for.” He paused. “To love,” he said shakily.

Her heart thrummed a rapid beat, each word from Zeke weaving a stronger thread in the bond that connected them, fortifying her courage to lean into the trust she so desperately wanted to give.

“Trusting you means breaking down walls I’ve spent years building,” she confessed, her dark eyes searching his for the assurance she needed. “But I want to... with you. I’m tired of being alone.”

“Then don’t be,” Zeke urged gently, reaching out to cup her cheek, the calluses on his fingers a testament to the life he led—a life she was becoming part of. “Let me be the home you come back to, Kaitlyn. Let us be a family. A real one.”

The warmth of his touch ignited something deep within her, a flame of hope that danced with the possibility of a future shehad never dared to dream of. And in that moment, she let go of the solitary existence she had clung to, allowing herself to fall into the embrace of the man who offered her everything she needed.

Zeke’s strong arms encased her, a protective circle that seemed to ward off the coldness of the world outside. His heartbeat drummed against her ear, a steady rhythm that whispered promises of security and love.

“We’ll face whatever comes,” Zeke murmured into her hair, his breath warm against her scalp. “Together, Kaitlyn. You, me, and Stetson.”

“Together,” she echoed, the word a soft sigh of contentment. With Zeke’s arms around her, the sense of belonging enveloped her, soothing the jagged edges of her past.

19

The flickering candlelight from the chapel service still danced in Zeke’s mind as he stepped through the doorway into the vibrant warmth of his parents’ house. Laughter and the rich scent of cinnamon enveloped him.

Home.

He unbuttoned his coat, the fabric parting to reveal a festive sweater, its reds and greens bold against his dark jeans. Cassie insisted they do this ridiculous ugly sweater theme, and Aunt Martha had given him this sweater four years ago.

He helped Kaitlyn out of her coat as Stetson raced down the hallway. He was greeted by cheers from the people waiting down the hall.

Zeke laid his hand across the small of Kaitlyn’s back and guided her toward the kitchen, just like he’d done the morning after they were married. Had it only been six weeks ago? It felt like so much had changed. All for the better.

Across the room, illuminated by the soft glow of Christmas lights, was Gideon. His brother’s laughter rose above the hum of conversation, as carefree and infectious as ever. Zeke couldn’thelp but feel the corners of his mouth tug upward; that boy could charm the stars from the sky if he so wished.

“Zeke!” Gideon’s voice cut through the din as he caught sight of his older brother. He pushed off the wall he’d been leaning against, his own broad shoulders squared in a mirror image of Zeke’s stance. “There you are! How was the service?”

“Peaceful,” Zeke replied, the single word carrying the weight of his devotion, the reverence for the tradition they shared every year. The Triple R Chapel was always breathtaking and was a favorite venue for weddings and the well-attended weekly worship service for resort guests. But there was something especially holy about the Christmas Eve candlelight service.

And now, the silence of the chapel had given way to this — the joyous chaos of family.

“Come on, let’s grab some eggnog.” Gideon clapped Zeke on the back, guiding him toward the kitchen with that easy optimism that seemed to pave his way through life.

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