Page 49 of A Sweet Deal for the Cowboy

GUNNER GAVE THE KIDSan extensive tour of the ranch, going slowly so little legs could keep up. Nova trailed along behind alternating between giggling in joy and crying with relief. She tried to hide the tears from the kids because she didn’t expect them to understand the emotional chaos going on inside her at the moment, but Gabby caught her a few times. All three kids took turns asking questions, and Gunner was ready with an answer for all of them even if the answer was, “I’ve never thought of that, and I have no idea.”

After a while it was obvious to Nova that Mona was flagging and was about to say something when Gunner wordlessly scooped her up and carried her for the rest of the tour. She knew how heavy that little girl was, but apparently she was as light as air to Gunner—even after the workout he had endured on the stairs.

Then it was time for supper, and Nova was grateful that they had bought the basic ingredients for spaghetti. She was exhausted and didn’t want to have to research or fake anything right now.

Despite the ease of the meal, she still felt self-conscious as she put it together, constantly stealing glances behind her to make sure no one was watching or criticizing her. But no one was. Gunner had gone back outside to do chores, and the kids were happy in the living room.

How could this all feel so peaceful already? Was the crisis really over? Not that long ago she had thought this crisis would never end—but then Gunner had swooped in with the plan of the century.

Yes, it was pretty weird that she was married now and that she was married to a practical stranger, but it didn’t seem so bad. Somehow she had landed herself a really good man. At least she was pretty sure she had. Maybe he would turn out to be a real jerk, but for now that seemed impossible.

Time would tell.

Chapter 33

Gunner had never enjoyed spaghetti more, which was saying something since the noodles were still crunchy in the middle. He was sure that Nova had been distracted while she was cooking, so he didn’t say anything. He was confident the woman knew how to boil noodles.

But despite the crunch, it was delicious—probably mostly because he hadn’t had to make it. And even though he would help Nova with the clean up after, it still was a great feeling that he didn’t have to.

He was no longer in this alone.

He put his fork down and watched the scene swirl on around him. He couldn’t stop smiling.

These kids were happy. Conley’s eyelids drooped from tiredness, but still he was slurping his noodles and then laughing when the sauce sprayed onto his face. And Mona had dragged her plate over and climbed onto Nova’s lap as soon as the exhausted woman had dropped into her chair.

Gabby was gabbing a mile a minute. Had Nova’s mother been a prophet, or had Gabby simply grown into her name?

When Nova offered him a second helping, Gunner declined—not because the noodles were crunchy but because he could see that the pot was running low, and Conley was still eating as fast as possible, making Gunner wonder if the kid had fasted since the last time he’d seen Nova.

Gunner could sneak down for a snack later. Right now he would much rather watch Conley eat like that because if he was eating like that, it meant that he felt safe.

Bull had quietly carried his supper into the living room, and Gunner couldn’t blame him. Now he could hear the television murmuring in the next room. Of course Bull would be welcome to eat with them, but Gunner could understand if he didn’t want to.

Conley finished slurping and spraying, and Gabby polished off the bottom of the pot as she talked. Now they were all just waiting for little Mona to finish, but no one seemed in any rush.

Gunner felt himself continuing to relax after his very long day. He hadn’t slept the night before. He would certainly sleep tonight—

Wait. Would he? They still hadn’t ironed out the sleeping arrangements. He’d bought her a twin mattress, but they hadn’t set it up yet, and he wasn’t going to kick the woman out of his bedroom. If she wanted to sleep in there, she certainly could, butmandid that make him nervous ...

He shook his head, trying not to think about it, trying to get back to his peaceful enjoyment of the moment. Against all odds, this old house was full of kids again, and these kids were going to have it much differently than Gunner had.

This was going to be a happy house from now on, and weren’t they off to a good start.

In the middle of a long sentence about hair gel, Gabby said, “Can I go watch TV?”

“Not tonight,” Nova said. “Someone else is watching it right now. “

“I’m done, boss,” came Bull’s voice from the other room. Seconds later he appeared in the entryway with his empty plate in hand. He hesitated and then kept his head down on the way to the sink.

Gunner made a mental note to tell him that he was still welcome in all parts of the house. And maybe he should buy the man a TV of his own for his room.

Gabby jumped up and looked at Nova expectantly.

Gunner could tell that Nova wanted to stick to her no, but he could also see her resolve weakening. “Just one show,” she finally said.

“Yay!” Gabby ran into the living room with Conley trailing closely behind. Mona dropped her fork onto her plate and buried her face in Nova’s neck.

Nova patted her upper arm. “Why don’t you go watch TV with Gabby for a few minutes? Let Opa clean up a little.” The girl didn’t stir. Was she already asleep?

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