Page 84 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
She wouldn’t define it now. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for the rescue.”
He reached across the table and took her hand. “It feels good to do something that matters. Your horse rescue is going to change lives.”
“Ourhorse rescue.” She squeezed his fingers. Perhaps it was time to share more, and convince him to do the same. “Rowan, I know about your charities.”
He hesitated. Would he deny it, maintaining the distance between them? Or would he finally open up? “Giving away money isn’t the same as actually working with people and animals, or seeing the results. I like doing this, and I love doing it with you.” It wasn’t exactly an admission, but it wasn’t a denial either. It wasprogress.
As the band started a fast-beat Irish melody, he gave a cheeky grin that reminded her of the kid she used to know. “Want to dance?”
She suppressed the urge to jump into his arms. “I should probably work.”
He shook his head firmly. “There’s nothing left for you to do, Ciara. This is the last event of the day. People want to see you having fun.” When she still hesitated, he took her hand. “Just give me a few minutes, and I’ll deliver you to your hordes of fans.”
Actually, the people were eyeing Rowan, the women with undisguised interest. Perhaps staying close was a good idea. “You have far more fans than me.”
He took her in his arms. “I disagree.” Before she could respond, he spun her around. In more ways than one, hecapturedher.
She laughed as they moved in perfect harmony, swaying with practiced grace. He was an excellent dancer, and being with him was as natural as riding a horse. She couldn’t bring herself to leave after the song ended, as a softer, slower Celtic song began. When they began their third set, her gaze caught on Davey. “Would you look at that?”
He followed her gaze and grinned. Davey was dancing with Lisa, Mr. and Mrs. Baxter’s daughter from the The Bread Bowl. He looked sharp in a royal blue shirt and dress pants, the perfect complement to Lisa’s aqua sundress. He beamed as his partner giggled.
Ciara chuckled. “The Byrne brothers sure know how to sweep a lady off their feet.”
Rowan twirled her around. He leaned down, and the scent of spice reached her. “Are you admitting I swept you off your feet?”
He’d swept her off her feet and carried her away. “I admit nothing.” She blinked coyly. “But just in case, what are you going to do about it?”
“I have plans,” he said simply.
Her heart fluttered.Plans?Before she could demand details, he pointed across the room. “Looks like the O’Connor men do just fine, too.”
She followed his gaze. Uncail Frank and Grandma Leigh were holding each other sweetly, swaying to their own beat. Ciara smiled softly. “That’s so lovely.”
“So are you.”
She sighed, drifting closer to him. The evening light had softened with night’s arrival, enveloping the world in pure romance. Pressed against his expansive chest, nothing had ever felt so right.
For the remainder of the evening, they alternated between dancing and entertaining the guests. The visitors stayed far into the night, enjoying the music, food and enchantment. The grand opening had been a resounding success, and the possibilities were endless. She would share it all with Rowan.
And that was the most enchanting of all.
CHAPTER 17
“Inever dreamed today would be so perfect.” Ciara snuggled into Rowan, nestling against his muscular form. Moonbeams and starlight slanted through the window, illuminating their intertwined bodies, as they lay together in her soft bed. She hadn’t stopped smiling for hours. The festival had been a roaring success, the interest in the rescue tremendous. Soon the adopted horses would go to their new homes, and the first guests were now settled in the capable hands of Teara and her staff.
Their success had been replicated online, where thousands tuned in to learn the winners of the raffle and naming contests. The horse rescue earned enough in donations to nearly repay the loan, and they had plenty to finance the ranch for months to come. Of course, they would not constantly get the same level of donations, but the initial amount should allow them to sustain themselves until the adoption fees and retreat earnings became more regular.
Rowan rubbed her back, and she purred in contentment. It was like a dream, a surreal fantasy where everything was perfect. Well, almost everything. Their relationship was still undefined, the future uncertain. But for tonight, she’d take the dream.“The children were so sweet with the horses. I can’t wait…” The words drifted away, yet images rose to replace them, vibrant imaginings of squirming bundles, tumbling toddlers and little kids giggling with glee, her future hopes and dreams. Should she mention it, with a relationship as vulnerable as a newborn foal? He’d already left once. Yet this time seemed different…
“You can’t wait to have your own children.”
His words stole her thoughts, wrought from his ever-present window into her mind. Yet then again, she’d never been good at hiding her desires. “I would love children,” she admitted quietly. “They represent the future – my future.”Our future.She caught the words before they escaped, yet they lingered in the air, and in her. The images shifted to an adorable precocious imp with her eyes and his hair, her enthusiasm and his stoic kindness. It begot an intense longing, not just for children, but for his children,theirchildren. Was it possible?
Only… he hesitated.
She drew a deep breath, in a bed suddenly not nearly as warm, or as soft. Pretended it didn’t mean what it appeared.
“You always loved kids. Even when you were a child yourself, that was clear.” A subtle edge belied Rowan’s words, tightening her chest. “You will be an amazing mother.”
