Page 67 of Seaside Cowboy's Fairy Tale

“To her, they’re not just shiny stones. The idea of being a part of the fairy tale story enchanted her.”

“Not all fairy tales have a happy ending.” He let her hands go and peered over at the runaway dog. “Time to chase Tiny Tim again.”

When Tex walked back carrying Tiny Tim this time, she picked up a different kind of stone and threw it in the water, then glanced back at her footprints in the sand. She didn’t know yet where her path in life would lead, but she wanted to leave an imprint that wouldn’t be erased by water or time.

“I’m so proud of you for going to college,” Tex said when he got closer. “I know you’ll ace those classes. I’m sure Tiny Tim supports it, too.”

Tiny Tim barked as if to confirm it, but mostly, he was demanding to be put back on the sand. Especially considering he was missing out on chasing a bird that flew not too far away.

She smiled. “Thank you for helping me study and get good scores for admission. And for the offer to pay tuition, but Irene said she’d got it covered. She created a college fund for me that my dad and stepmom couldn’t access, but my stepmom kept it secret from me.” Rachel grimaced at all the deceit, the pure spitefulness of it, but she didn’t want bitterness to keep her down. “Until classes start, I’m happy helping Saylor at the animal shelter.”

Tiny Tim barked again, probably remembering the first decent meal he’d gotten in years.

“That’s very kind of you.”

She basked in his praise as much as she basked in the sunshine. “It aligns with helping those who can’t help themselves. It probably brings me more joy than it brings them.”

“Is it okay to ask why you led such a frugal lifestyle?”

“At first, it was out of necessity. Then I wanted to make sure I had enough to live on if something happened. I wanted to have the safety net I didn’t have in childhood. And then... I guess all the expensive sparkly shiny things don’t mean as much to me as they do to other people.”

“That’s admirable. I spent a lot on expensive sparkly things to impress other people, to elevate myself from the scared little boy I’d once been.”

“Well, you impress me a lot just as you are. If you lost everything tomorrow, I’d love you just the same.” Her heart beating faster, she moved closer.

His hands wrapped around her waist, the intensity in his eyes making heat pool in the pit of her belly. “Then I’d still have everything because you’re everything to me.”

Her temperature increasing a notch, she raised herself on her tiptoes, and then he claimed her lips with his. They’d kissed a lot since his confession, and yet every kiss felt incredible. She felt as light as a feather, and a wave of pleasure swept her up into a world that had been elusive to her until now. A world where love and happiness weren’t just possible but lived already.

When she came up for air, still in a daze, she nearly stumbled back at Austin and Kennedy walking to them. “I should’ve been more vigilant. There could be other people, um, sneaking up on us.”

Tiny Tim tilted his head as if to say he wouldn’t have let it happen.

Tex looked into her eyes, so much love in his. “There’s no more danger. And there’s a reason Austin and Kennedy are here. As much as I love Tiny Tim, I don’t want him to trample something.”

Austin winked at his brother as he picked up Tiny Tim’s leash. “Or get burned by accident.”

Puzzled, Rachel looked from Tex to Austin and back. “Trample? Get burned?”

Tex smiled at her, but some nervousness left that smile taut. “You’ll see soon enough. But first, get on my back, then close your eyes. I’ll give you a piggyback ride to the place.”

Rachel looked at her friend. “Kennedy, whatishe talking about?”

Kennedy raised her hands in a mocking surrender. “Sorry! I was sworn to silence. Just trust us.”

Trust didn’t come easily to Rachel, but Tex had helped her learn it.

While he carried her, she did her best to figure out what the surprise was going to be, but the seagulls’ cries weren’t exactly informative. Her heartbeat increasing, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

What could this be?

As she listened to the ocean’s murmur while hugging him close, her chest swelled with gratitude over all the wonderful things that had happened to her already. There was one thing that would make her world complete, but could she dare hope for it so soon?

“I’m going to put you down on the sand, but don’t open your eyes yet.” His warm breath caressed her cheek.

“Okay.” Her feet felt for the ground, and she loosened her hold on him. Was that lavender she was smelling? Standing on her own now, she braced her feet on soft sand and could barely resist the curiosity to peek from her eyelashes. The wait seemed an eternity.

“Now please open your eyes.” He didn’t need to ask her twice.

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