Page 57 of A Cowboy Of Her Own

“In a minute, Mom, I forgot the drinks.” Priscilla started to scoot her chair back but her mother waved her down.

“I’ll get them, honey.”

After Jackie left the room, Roark touchedPriscilla’s hand. “Are you all right?”

“I’ve been thinking. I just don’t know how she’s going to take it. Me moving away, I mean.”

Hell!Roark hadn’t thought of that. He’d be separating mother and daughter, and anyone could see they were close. “Where do I know her from?”

“She’s a best-selling romance author. Her books have been made into several movies.”

“Really? Well, that’s something. I must have seen her on TV or something.”

“Probably. She’s been on several talk shows.”

“You know, we have transportation other than wagon train reaching Montana these days. I’m sure she can come visit us, darlin’.”

“She’d probably love that. I’m not sure if she’s ever been to Montana.”

“If who’s been to Montana, honey?” Jackie asked as she returned to the table with drinks on a tray. She set them down and handed Roark and Priscilla theirs then took her seat.

“You.”

“Me? Actually no, I haven’t, although I’ve always wanted to visit. I hear it’s beautiful.”

“It is. The mountains are amazing.” Priscilla smiled.

“And why would I be going to Montana?” Jackie folded her arms and glanced back and forth between them.

“Uh, because I want to marry Priscilla, so she’ll be moving there to be with me. With your blessing, of course.”

“Marry her? Oh! This is wonderful. Of course, you have my blessing and I would love to visit.” Jackie jumped up and hugged Priscilla then walked around the table to hug Roark.

“Thank you,” he said.

“You’re very welcome. I had a feeling something was up. Why else would you be here?” She laughed.

Roark blew out a relieved breath. Who knew asking for permission to marry the woman he loved would be so stressful? He was glad that part was over. As the night wore on, they talked until Jackie said she had to leave. She hugged them both again, congratulated Roark, and then left.

As soon as the door closed, Roark looked at Priscilla but she needed no encouragement from him.

“Come on, cowboy. Time for bed. You’re leaving me in the morning so we need to get to bed early.”

“I wish I wasn’t. Come here. Time for bed is right but not for sleep.” He grinned and pulled her into his arms then slung her over his shoulder making her laugh as he headed for the bedroom where he tossed her onto the bed.

****

Priscilla walked into the offices where her desk sat. She smiled at her coworkers as she made her way to her desk. Opening the bottom drawer, she put her purse in then walked to Earl’s office and knocked. She entered when he yelled to come in.

“Where’s the article?” he asked barely giving her a glance.

“I want to do some tweaking to it before I hand it in.”

“Then what the fuck are you doing in my office?” He moved his cigar to the other side of his mouth making her wish he’d choke on it.

Taking a deep breath, she spun on her heel, walked calmly out of his office even though her head was about to explode with things she’d like tosay to the bastard. When she reached her desk, she pulled her chair out and took a seat. Having already written the piece, she’d told Earl the truth about wanting to tweak the article a bit. First, she would upload the photos she wanted included with the text. As she uploaded the photos, she saw the one of her and Roark that Devin had taken. Anyone looking at it would know the two people in it were very much in love.

Opening the file containing her notes, she looked it over to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything pertinent. She began reading and revising her article, careful to keep it sounding professional. This would be a good article for the magazine. She bypassed the personal stuff about Jaxon but did mention the Bur Oak, and that Devin and Jaxon owned it together.

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