Page 13 of Her Grumpy Cowboy
“Angel by name, angel by nature,” Callie sighs, settling in and shifting Danny into a cozy nest of fleece.He wiggles and chirps, batting at the air like he’s got stories to tell.“Mary told me you had a little...ladder incident?”
I hold up my ankle, now wrapped in a more manageable compression bandage.“Tried to hang a star.The star fought back.”
“I also heard Grady swooped in like a Hallmark hero.”
I roll my eyes, already blushing.“He helped me get home, did some repairs.”
Danny babbles and points at the specials board like he’s got strong opinions about the eggnog latte.
“He’s so chatty today,” I say, joining her with two mugs of gingerbread latte and a plate of the fresh peppermint bark.
Callie beams.“This morning, he figured out how to wave.He’s been greeting everything since — windows, trees, our toaster.”
I lean forward and wave at him.He flaps both arms in return, giggling.
“How’s he doing?”I ask softly.
Danny has Down syndrome, so his milestones come with extra appointments and celebration—therapies, checkups, a little more planning, but also a whole lot more cheering when he nails something new.
Callie’s smile softens.“He’s doing great.He’s stubborn in the best way—won’t let you put him down if he’s decided you’re his person.He’s terrible at napping but laughs like an angel.”She bumps his knee with hers, and he giggles again, the sound bright and clean.
“How are you managing?Working at the ranch?”I ask because, as far as I’m concerned, Callie is Wonder Woman without the lasso.
She shrugs, an easy shrug that saysyeah, it’s a lot, but it’s mine and it’s worth it.“Some days are calendar chaos.Some days, I can’t imagine my life without him.Mostly, he’s just...Danny.Loud, sticky, and perfect.”
I reach over and brush my fingers over the back of his hand.He grabs my finger like it’s the best thing he’s ever been offered and holds on, eyes serious for a half-second before breaking into another delighted squeal.
Callie watches us, her expression steady and warm.“He likes you,” she says.“You have the Danny seal of approval.”
“That’s good because I like him too,” I reply, gently squeezing his chubby little cheek.
We sip our drinks in the glow of the fairy lights until Callie gives me a side glance.
“So… are you going to tell me what really happened after Grady ‘helped you get home’?”
I groan and sink lower into my chair.“Fine.He carried me up the stairs.”
Callie’s eyebrows shoot up.“Likebridal-stylecarried?”
“He offered.I said no.He grunted,‘I want to.’And then he just...did it.”
“Well, damn.”
I shake my head, eyes on my mug.“He’s steady.And a bit grumpy, but”—I shrug—“he makes me feel a certain way.”
“You like him.”
“Yeah, I do,” I say quietly.
Callie smiles into her latte.“So...funny thing.”
I glance over.“What?”
“I may have developed feelings for someone, too.Nate.”
I blink.“Who’s Nate?”
“One of Mary and Christopher’s boys,” she says.“From back when they were fostering.”
