Page 81 of Dating a Cowgirl

She reached for his hand. “Besides, this is a small town. Do you really want the guys you fix trucks for to think you’re too scared to get on the back of a horse?”

“But you hate this sort of thing. It’s dangerous.” He found himself making excuses, not because he didn’t want to compete, but because he wanted to make sure she was certain of her decision.

Faye’s smile faded but only slightly. “I want you to be happy more than anything. Men make a career out of this. You’re just wanting to cross it off your bucket list, right?”

He grinned at her, tilting his head. “Well…”

Her mouth dropped open. There it was. That concern showing through. This was harder for her than she had let on.

Adam laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not the least bit interested in making a living from being thrown off horses that don’t want me riding them. I think I’ll stick to keeping my head under the hoods of the trucks that come into my shop.”

Relief flooded her features, then she pushed him playfully. “Don’t scare me like that.”

They made it to the arena, where several other rookie cowboys were preparing to take their turns. There were waivers to sign and rules repeated. Adam had a hard time remaining focused on any of it because he could feel Faye’s gaze on him from her position in the stands.

He really was the luckiest man alive. He’d finally found where he belonged. It wasn’t a town or a city. It wasn’t a specific job. It was knowing he had the love of a good woman and a future they could share together.

EPILOGUE

Four months later

Faye

The wind tousled Faye’s hair as she stood at the edge of the clearing. She closed her eyes, breathed in deeply and allowed the smell of the Colorado hills to wash away all the turmoil she’d gone through several months ago.

Fall was setting in, and with every step she took, the smell of fallen leaves filled her senses. It had rained that morning, making everything appear clean and fresh. The sun would be setting soon. She only had a short amount of time up here before they’d need to head back.

Two strong arms wrapped around her waist, and Adam’s chin rested on her shoulder. His low, warm voice made the hairs on the back of her neck lift and the churning in her stomach start up all over again.

“You’re right,” he said.

Faye chuckled. “I usually am. But what am I right about this time?”

He spun her around, his eyes piercing hers and that knowing grin on his face like he had a secret he didn’t intend on sharing. “This place is amazing after the rain.” Adam gestured toward the sky, lit in red, purple, and pink. The sky opened up around them, framed by the mountains and the tall trees of the valley below. “I get it now—why this place is one of your favorites.”

She tilted her head, draping her arms around his neck.” I don’t know. I think your favorite spot is pretty nice too. Maybe after dinner we can take my mom’s truck up on the lift.”

Adam peered up at the sky overhead. “I’m not sure we’ll get to see much. The sky is still pretty much covered from the storm clouds rolling out.”

She grimaced. “You’re probably right. Well, then we’ll go tomorrow or the next day.” She leaned into him, holding him tight. “As long as I’m with you, I’ll be happy.”

“I wanted to talk to you about that.” There was an edge in his voice that wasn’t there before, and it set off all kinds of warning bells in her head.

Was he going to try to join the rodeo again? No, it couldn’t be that. Four months ago he’d participated in the bronc riding, and he’d done well and checked it off his bucket list. Afterward, though, when she’d asked him if he would ever do that again, he’d said no way. That it was exciting and terrifying all at once. But dating a daughter in the Zeke Callahan family fulfilled that role in his life. He didn’t win the cash prize, but he’d won Faye’s heart, and he said that was so much better.

Adam pulled away, grazing her jaw with his thumb. “You are the best thing to ever happen to me. I need you to know that.”

“What’s going on, Adam?”

He offered her a smile, but it did nothing to ease the tension that continued to grow in her gut. “I left Copper Creek in search of something. Then I left the city to come back, still trying to find my place—to find what’s been missing in my life.” Adam slowly dropped down onto one knee, and Faye gasped. He held her hand firmly in his. “I never dreamed the part of me that was missing was you.”

One hand flew to her mouth. She’d figured they were on this path—to a future together—but she had no idea Adam had already gotten to this point in their relationship.

Still holding her left hand in his, he pulled out a ring from his pocket. He had it pinched between his finger and thumb and stared at it a moment before lifting his gaze to hers again.

“I love you more than anything. Wherever you are, I belong. Make me the happiest man alive and be mine forever.”

The diamond was set in white gold and surrounded by other smaller stones. It wasn’t large by any means, but that didn’t matter. Just like the man who offered it to her, it was perfect. Her voice caught in her throat, and she wasn’t able to voice all the emotions coursing through her body.

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