Page 32 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

Zeke held Kaitlyn’s arm as they stepped into the warmth of the Christmas Barn Dance. His mother had outdone herself this year; the barn was a spectacle of festive cheer with garlands draping from every rafter, and twinkling lights casting a soft glow over the merry faces of townsfolk and ranch hands alike. The barn dance was the official kickoff to the Christmas season in Redemption Ridge.

Zeke couldn’t help but notice how the golden light played across Kaitlyn’s hair, her brown strands a stark contrast to the simple maroon sweater dress that hugged her body. She was naturally slender, but gone were the harsh angles and gaunt cheeks she’d carried when she arrived in Redemption Ridge. Ranch life had brought a healthy flush to her cheeks and added some downright distracting curves to her frame.

She wasn’t adorned with the glitz like some of the other women here, but to him, she outshone them all. His heart thumped an irregular beat.

“Looks like Stetson’s making himself right at home,” Zeke said, his voice tinged with amusement as he watched the little boy weave through the crowd. Stetson’s dark hair was a blur ashe darted with youthful exuberance from one family member to another—greeting his school friends with high-fives, then hugging Zeke’s parents, whose smiles were as wide as the brim on his cowboy hat. Anyone in town who had not already had the pleasure of being cornered by his mother to meet her newest pride and joy would surely do so tonight.

“Uncle Gideon!” Stetson’s voice carried above the music as he latched onto the man’s leg. Gideon feigned surprise, wobbling dramatically before sweeping the boy up into his arms. Their laughter melded with the jingle of bells hanging from the barn door, adding to the symphony of joyous noise.

“Seems like he’s found his place here.”

Kaitlyn’s voice, laced with the hint of warmth that often crept in when she spoke of her son, pulled Zeke back from his reverie. He nodded, watching the boy’s face alight with the thrill of belonging, something Zeke knew all too well was precious and rare.

“I hope you both have,” Zeke said, his gaze lingering on Kaitlyn a moment longer before he gestured toward the refreshment table. “How about a drink? Mom makes her famous Cowboy Christmas Cider every year. It’s a barn dance tradition.”

“Sounds perfect,” she said, and a small smile touched her lips—a smile Zeke wished he could bottle up and keep forever.

Under the glow of string lights crisscrossing the barn’s rafters, Zeke felt the pulse of the music thrum through the soles of his boots. He glanced sideways at Kaitlyn, her brown hair catching a shimmer of light as she watched Stetson with undisguised pride and joy. A longing tugged in Zeke’s chest to draw her into the fold of his arms.

“Care for a dance?” he asked, his voice almost lost amid the fiddles and laughter that filled the air. He didn’t love dancing, but he’d take any reasonable excuse to pull her closer.

Kaitlyn’s dark eyes shifted toward him, a flicker of surprise lighting them up before she nodded. “I’d like that,” she said, her voice a soft melody against the backdrop of festivity.

With a gentle hand guiding her, Zeke led Kaitlyn onto the dance floor. His palm rested lightly on the small of her back, feeling the warmth of her through the fabric of her sweater dress, and he brought her closer, their bodies finding a natural rhythm together. The scent of her floral shampoo grounded him in the moment.

They moved together to the slow tune, two figures in sync amidst a sea of dancers. The sparkle in Kaitlyn’s eyes rivaled the twinkling lights overhead, and Zeke couldn’t help but wonder if any part of that shine was for him.

“I can’t believe this is my life,” Kaitlyn murmured as they swayed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I feel like I need to say thank you again. For everything—the home, the security...” He was about to protest but she paused, her gaze searching his. “But it’s not just that.”

Zeke’s heart hitched, caught on her words. “What do you mean?”

Her hand tightened slightly on his shoulder as she drew in a breath. “It’s you, Zeke. You’ve shown me kindness I didn’t know still existed.” She looked away for a heartbeat, then back at him with an intensity that held him captive. “I admire you more than you can imagine. Your strength, your faith... the way you care for your family, and now, for Stetson and me.”

The music swelled around them, but Zeke barely noticed. Every chord played second fiddle to the sincerity in Kaitlyn’s voice, the honesty in her eyes.

“Kaitlyn,” he started, emotion roughening his voice, “you don’t have to thank me. It’s been a blessing having you and Stetson here with us. You’re family now.”

Her smile wavered, vulnerable yet brave, and he could see her resilience shining through—toughness that had captivated him since the day she arrived. Her quiet strength was a testament to her spirit, and in that moment, Zeke knew with unshakeable certainty that he would stand by her, no matter what the future held.

The final chords of a classic Christmas melody filled the barn, wrapping around Zeke and Kaitlyn as they swayed gently on the dance floor. The warmth from her back under his hand seemed to seep through the fabric of her sweater dress, anchoring her in the safety of his embrace. Zeke’s pulse quickened, every beat a drumroll urging him to close the distance between them.

“Kaitlyn,” he murmured, his voice barely above the music. His fingers curled, drawing her nearer until space became a mere whisper. Her breath caught, an almost silent gasp that stirred the air between them. Their eyes locked and for a moment, time stood still.

Slowly, Zeke leaned in. The kiss landed soft, a hesitant brush against her lips, seeking permission. When she didn’t pull away, but instead responded, deepening the connection, something within him ignited.

The kiss grew fervent, a mingling of longing and newfound hope. Kaitlyn’s hands found their way to his chest, clutching at the fabric of his shirt, drawing a groan from deep in his chest.

Around them, the barn continued its festive bustle, but it all faded into obscurity. There was only Kaitlyn—the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her on his lips.

Zeke drew back slightly, just enough to gaze into her eyes once more. The worries that so often clouded his mind—fears of not being enough, of disappointing his father, of past mistakes rearing their ugly heads—dissipated like mist under the morning sun. In their place bloomed a sense of rightness, a belonging thatstitched itself into the very fabric of his soul. He belonged with her.

He belongedtoher.

“Kaitlyn,” he whispered again, this time infusing her name with all the wonder she’d awakened in him. With her, the harsh winters of his life seemed to promise the hope of spring.

The world seemed to blur around them as Zeke held Kaitlyn in his embrace, the warmth of her body seeping into his very bones. But then, a razor-sharp note sliced through the cocoon of sound that enveloped the dance floor. The music, the laughter, and the shuffling feet became distant, inconsequential noise.

“Looks like Zeke’s found himself a charity case for the holidays.”

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