Page 48 of The Cowboy's Baby Dare

“Yeah, I did,” I reply honestly.

My mom sets a plate of eggs and toast in front of me. “You look like you’re in a good mood.”

The way she says it and the way she cocks her head make me think she’s suspicious.

“It’s a beautiful day,” I say, hoping that’s enough to satisfy her.

“Hm.” She sits down, looking like she’s trying to suppress a smile. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’ve become happier since coming back home. Could it be Fort Williams is finally growing on you?”

I think about it as I wrap my hands around a mug of fresh coffee, its warmth reaching my heart.

“Yeah,” I say. “It could be something like that.”

CHAPTER 17

JOSH

For maybe the tenth time in the last twenty minutes, I glance out my kitchen window at the long driveway. What’s different about this time, though, is that I finally see what I’ve been searching for.

Erin’s car drives towards my house, the wheels kicking dust into the sunset. A smile pulls across my face, and my insides do a kickflip.

Most days on a ranch are long, but today beat them all. I couldn’t wait to get to the evening, couldn’t wait to make dinner for Erin and have her in my arms once more.

I stop cutting veggies and go over to the window, watching as the car comes to a stop in front of my house. I walk towards the door, my heart beating faster as I think about the night ahead.

As I open the door, Erin steps out of her car and looks up at me with a smile. My breath catches in my throat as I look at her, still in awe of her beauty after all these years.

“Hey,” I say, trying to play it cool.

“Hey there.” She walks up my front steps, her jeans hugging her hips and toned legs. “How was your day?”

“Long.” I shrug. “But seeing you makes it all worth it.”

Erin blushes, and instinctively I reach out and take her hand. The moment our hands touch, I feel my heart lighten and my insides warm up.

“Dinner will be ready in a little bit,” I tell her.

“Is there anything I can help with?”

“You can take it easy.” I kiss her hand. “I just have to go shut the horses in the stable.”

“I’ll come with you.”

I nod, leading the way towards the stable. The sun is setting, casting an orange glow across the ranch. As we walk, something fills my chest. It’s a strange feeling, and at first I don’t recognize it.

But then I get it.

It’s satisfaction.

It’s just another evening closing up the ranch, but being here with Erin makes the experience more perfect than I ever could have imagined it could be.

Once we reach the stable, I open the door, and we head inside. Some of the horses are already in their stalls, munching on hay. Erin walks over to one of them, a beautiful chestnut mare named Bella.

“She’s so gorgeous,” Erin says as she strokes Bella’s mane.

“Yeah, she’s a heartbreaker,” I say, smiling at Erin. “Just like you.”

Erin blushes again, and I take that as my cue to make my move. I lean in and press my lips against hers, feeling the heat radiating off her body. Our kiss becomes more intense as I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.

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