Page 8 of Rope Me

“Wow,” he says, taking me in. His hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing against my skin. “You look stunning, Cassidy.”

I try to look away, but he gently tilts my chin back up to meet his gaze.

“I mean it,” he says, his voice soft, steady. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. More of this look, please.”

“Stop it,” I mumble, shaking my head, though I can’t stop the warmth spreading across my cheeks—or the way my heart skips a beat.

CHAPTER 6

ALEXANDER

HavingCassidy by my side tonight is an absolute dream. Without the layers of makeup, I can see the real her and it makes me desperate for more. Her scent wraps around me, warm and familiar. She’s the kind of woman who makes you want to be a better man.

We’re thirty minutes into the night when she leans in close and tells me that her son is here. Her words cause a strange and undeniable feeling to take root. But I know without a doubt that I want to meet her kid.

I clear my throat, unsure of why my nerves are acting up. “What do you say you introduce me to Connor and I’ll have the guys bring a horse round back?”

Cassidy’s eyes light up without hesitation. “Really? Yes, he would love that. I’d bet that he’s over there, tearing up the dance floor.”

“Let’s go.” I hold out an elbow to Cassidy and she slips her arm through it.

On the way over, I grab my brother's attention and tell them to bring a horse up. I don’t know if it’s the shock of seeing me with a woman on my arm, the fact that the woman is their oldbabysitter, or the amount of alcohol they’ve consumed, but my brothers comply with no question.

But Connor isn’t on the dance floor. Instead, we find Connor holding court at the dessert table. Pa and a few ranch hands stand by riveted and I decide I like this kid already.

“How do you know I’m old?” Pa’s eyes twinkle in the candlelight as he calls across the table to Connor, playing along with Connor’s serious expression.

Connor tilts his head as if the answer is obvious. “Your hands. The skin is thinner, and your veins are more visible. Also, your beard is seventy-three percent gray. If you tell me how old you were when it started turning, I can calculate how much you lose per year.”

Pa throws back his head and lets out a cackle of laughter. “You are something, you know that.”

“Connor, this is my friend Alex.” Cassidy steps away from me and puts a hand on Connor’s shoulder.

Connor peers up at me, his expression blunt but curious. “You’re big. I like your hat. Are you an actual rancher or a person who likes to dress like one?”

His matter-of-fact question makes me chuckle. “I’m the real deal. What do you say we ditch this party and get you on a horse?”

Connor’s face lights up and for a second I see Cassidy reflected in his soft features. “Yes! I do! Can we, Mom?”

Cassidy nods and I hold out a hand for a high-five. Connor delivers. Just like that, I know that I’m going to like this kid.

Fifteen minutes later, the barn dance fades into the background. All five of my brothers trail us to the paddock, though it’s clear they’re more interested in Cassidy than the horse.

Connor takes to riding like he was born for it, spouting off horse facts while I hold the lead. His mix of offbeat humor andearnest curiosity is impossible not to like. On the third lap, most of my brothers lose interest and wander back inside, leaving Bowen to take over while I join Cassidy.

She stands nearby, her arms wrapped around herself, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Why are you crying?” I ask softly, my body immediately on high alert. “You know I can’t take it.” I chuckle at myself.

“I’m not,” she says, blinking rapidly, then shaking away her tears. “It’s just… I knew the horses would be good for him. It was such a fight. His dad made me feel like an idiot. Like I didn’t know what I was talking about, but seeing it—seeing him thrive—” Her voice catches. “Thank you, Alex. For doing this.”

“Connor’s incredible. Funny, smart… He’s going to fit right in here. And Cassidy?” I step behind her, resting my hands on her shoulders. “You’re an amazing mom. You don’t need my help, but I’ll always be here for you.”

She leans back against me, her soft curves molding perfectly against my hard lines as we watch Connor ride. He disappears around the corner with Bowen holding the lead, but she doesn’t move away from me. For a brief, perfect moment, I allow myself to imagine a life like this. I want a life where I never have to let her go.

But the sound of the barn doors slamming open shatters our peace and snaps me back to reality.

“Why is my son on a horse?”

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