Page 115 of Pretend To Be My Cowboy
Nash’s heart trilled. “And you accepted?”
“Of course,” she said. “Easiest decision in the world. You are now snuggling with Aspire Elementary School’s new kindergarten teacher.”
His chest rumbled with a laugh. “Well, Aspire is one blessed town, then.”
Emma kissed the tip of his chin. “You always say the sweetest things.”
“You make it easy to.”
She lifted her arm and brushed her fingers along his neck. “I’ll head back to Chicago in a couple weeks to pack up all my stuff.”
He couldn’t help a small frown, hating the idea of her leaving, even just for a couple days. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“I’d love that, but I need you here to keep an eye on Lizzy. I doubt she’ll come with me. Even though she probably should, I’m pretty sure she’s set on hibernating in that room for the unforeseeable future.”
Nash frowned. It’d been over a week since she’d arrived and other than the first day, she’d been locked up in her room, flipping through fashion magazines and crying into endless cups of peach iced-tea.
It was really worrying Emma and her parents.
“I understand it, after what she’s been through,” Nash murmured, trying to make his girlfriend feel better.
“She can’t stay in there forever.” Emma shook her head.
“I know, but she’ll surface when she’s ready. Broken hearts take time to heal. I saw it with Kit. When Natalie first left he stopped functioning for a while. If it wasn’t for the twins, he would have shut down completely. He was devastated.”
“Poor man.”
“He got there. Look at him now.”
Emma laughed. “The best flirt in town.”
Nash chuckled and squeezed her close, relieved she hadn’t fallen for the charms of Kit Swanson. Many women had, but not his Emma.
Thank you, Lord.
A comfortable silence settled over them, interrupted only by the hoot of a great horned owl. Its haunting melody brought a familiar comfort to Nash and had his mind wandering from the past to the future.
Camping out in the backyard with Kit, feeling like kings at the age of seven as they unearthed their smuggled candy and ate late into the night. Fresh images appeared in his mind at the thought of his own kids pitching a tent on the lawn, excitedly preparing for a night of what felt like total freedom.
His kids.
Emma’s kids.
His heart beat with the thrill of what was to come and he picked up Emma’s hand, running his thumb over the spot where an engagement ring would one day sit.
“What are you thinking, cowboy?” Emma’s voice had a teasing lilt that made him smile.
“I’m picturing a diamond on this finger of yours.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her ring finger.
Emma let out a dreamy sigh. “I’m going to love that, but we can’t while Lizzy is dealing with a broken engagement. That just seems cruel. Plus, we’ve only known each other such a short time.”
“I know. And I’ve been warned not to rush into something.” JJ’s words whistled over him. “Our relationship is still so new and fresh, but Em, I know. I know you’re meant to be mine forever. You’re the first woman I’ve ever met that hasn’t made me want to run for the hills over the idea of marriage.”
Emma giggled, and he absorbed the sweet sound like he was tasting chocolate for the first time. He’d never tire of her.
“I was a fool to ever try and fake anything with you. I was just scared, I guess, and I didn’t want to tie you here when your life was in Chicago. I thought that was what you wanted, and I didn’t want to stand in your way.”
“Thank you,” Emma whispered.
