Page 101 of High Value Target

He finally lifted on his elbows, his palm brushing the hair from her neck tenderly. Then dipped his head to sprinkle kisses all over the length of it. “Was that selfish of me?”

“You didn’t hear me complaining.”

They slept for another hour until the sound of tires on gravel carried through the window screen.

Grady moved to the window and dipped to look through the blinds. “They’re early.”

“What is it?” Tinsley lifted on one elbow.

“Get dressed, baby. Got something to show you.”

She slipped on her panties and jeans, then slid her arms into one of his denim shirts, rolling up the sleeves. Moving to the window, she peered between the slats. A pickup with a long horse trailer sat idling. Two men got out.

She frowned. “That’s Sal and his son.”

Sal opened the back of the trailer and dropped the ramp, then backed Pharaoh slowly down.

Tinsley’s brows shot up. “That’s my horse.”

Sal’s son climbed in and backed out another big animal, then another. Tinsley slowly realized there were a half dozen horses inside the trailer.

“They’re thoroughbreds,” she whispered in awe. “Oh, look, they’re so beautiful.”

Grady came to stand at her back. “Thought you might want to get a start on that thoroughbred rescue. No time like today, right?” He dipped his head and kissed her ear.

“You did all this for me?” Her voice was soft, her throat tight with emotion.

“You bet,” he whispered against her temple.

She whirled and hugged him. “I can’t believe you did this.”

His arms came around her, and his chin rested on her head. “It’s your dream, right?”

She nodded, tears in her eyes, then pulled back to look at his face. “It’s the best gift ever.”

“Come on.” Grady led her outside, and they watched the men unload them all. The last horse out was definitely not a thoroughbred.

She frowned. “That’s a quarter horse.”

Grady took the reins from Sal and walked this one to her. “She’s yours, baby.”

“Mine?”

“You want to barrel race? She’s the best in Texas.”

Tinsley’s mouth fell open. “You bought me a horse?”

“Pharaoh is a great jumper, but he’s no barrel racer. You’re gonna give it a shot, you’ll need a good horse under you.” He lifted his chin to the pretty mare. “She’s the best.”

“Grady, she must have cost a fortune.” This man. How did she get so lucky?

He chuckled. “No shit. Best barrel racer in Texas. I was kind of hoping she’d convince you to say yes to this.” He pulled out a ring and got down on one knee. “It’s nothin’ fancy. It’s not five carats or however big Palmer was giving you. But it was my grandmother’s, and I’m hoping that counts for something. Plus, I come with it, so…” He grinned.

“It counts for everything.”

“Marry me, Tinsley Wyatt. Go on this crazy journey called life with me. I promise to love you, respect the woman you are, honor your dreams, and push you to achieve whatever your heart desires. I promise we’ll never be bored because we’ll be too busy living life to its fullest.”

“Yes, a thousand times, yes.” Tinsley held her hand out, and he slipped it on. “Wow, a horse, a dream, and a ring. Must be my lucky day.”

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