Page 29 of The Cowboy's Off Limits Option

"I did my level best these last couple of years to ignore what I was feeling. Nobody knows how protective you are of Cal better than me. No way I'm going to risk our friendship and my family's business relationship with you over something that's not serious. You gotta know me better than that."

Off in the distance, the distinctive sound of delighted chatter joins the tense conversation in my front yard.

I'm really starting to wish I had a shirt on. And some damn shoes.

My mother's excited voice quickly closes in on us, causing a noticeable shift among us.

"Oh my gosh! Callie!" Mom's got her arms wrapped around Cal, pulling her away from me in a bear hug that Cal returns with enthusiasm.

"Lancer told me the good news, I'm so excited!"

Mom releases Callie and goes for Rowan.

"Aren't you excited?" Mom gushes as Rowan awkwardly allows the hug. He looks like cat being forced to take a bath and it's enough to make both Cal and I laugh out loud.

"We're going to be family, Rowan! I've been telling Archer all year that he and Callie were right for each other. I just had a feeling about them. Aren't you happy for your sister?"

Mom babbles excitedly, seemingly unaware of Rowan's objection to our relationship.

Seems to me, Lance would have mentioned the part where fists were flying.

"Uh, yeah, Mrs. O." Rowan's cat in the bath look has morphed to more of a kid with his hand in the cookie jar kind of guilt that does nothing to make me stop laughing. "I guess so, sure...if Cal's happy, I'm happy."

Eyes turn to Cal, who's still stifling giggles at the way my mother has managed to change Rowan's attitude.

"Oh! Yes. I'm happy!" Cal practically sings, stepping back against me so I can wrap my arms around her again. "Very happy."

"Lancer said this all just came out this morning? Have you told your parents yet, Cal?"

Mom seems to have decided that Rowan is sufficiently on board with her match making. Now she's moved into planning mode.

"We were going to tell them today," Cal answers, "when we start moving my things over, butsomeonedecided to throw a tantrum and slowed things down."

Cal's eyes narrow at her brother.

Rowan shifts his weight between his feet and works his jaw in irritation.

"Well then, I'll just call your mother and we'll have them over for dinner tonight and you can make your announcements all at once. How's that sound?"

Mom doesn't wait for any of us to answer, she's already speed walking back to the house; probably lost in plans of what she'll make for dinner...and where she's setting up the chairs for the wedding if I know Mom.

The three of us watch her go, waiting silently till she's out of hearing range.

Rowan paces forward. He still looks pissed, but it's clear to see that the fight's gone out of him.

"It's happening," Callie tells him cooly. "Make peace with it."

He just stares back at her for a long moment before taking a very deep breath and looking me in the eye.

"You're gonna marry her."

His finger pokes at my bare chest. It's not a question, it's a command.

"She better have a ring on her finger this week. And no long engagements. I expect to be putting a date in my calendar soon.

And she better not be pregnant before you guys are legal."

Rowan's eyes swing back at his sister. She rolls hers at him in response.

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