Page 62 of A Sweet Deal for the Cowboy

“I’m so sorry,” Wynona said. “That’s not like them. They do a lot for a lot of people. I’m so sorry you fell through the cracks.” She straightened. “We won’t let it happen again.”

Frankie looked down at her phone. “So can I tell them yes?” She sounded excited. This was a woman who loved her parties. “You won’t have to do anything.”

Still unsure, Nova felt herself nodding. “Sure. I guess.”

It really was a whole new world.

Chapter 43

Gunner stood at the living room window watching Ryker back out of his driveway. Frankie, Waylon, and he were the last guests to leave, and though Gunner had enjoyed the unplanned get together, he felt some relief to have his house back. He turned to head back toward the kitchen. “So, what did you think of my family? Are you doing okay?”

Nova laughed. “I think they’re pretty spectacular, and I think that they love you a lot.”

Gunner kissed her on the forehead. “You did great. I think they love you too.”

She laughed. “Cool idea about the cowboy church.”

Oh no. “Don’t even start. I really don’t want strangers in my barn.”

She laughed. “I wasn’t going to ask you about the barn. I just think the church is a good idea. They can do it in someone else’s barn.”

He wasn’t so sure. “Nothing against Wynona. I think her intentions are good, but we already have a church. If she starts pulling people away from it, Ma Bannon is going to lose her mind.”

“Hey, speaking of her. She and some other ladies from church want to throw us a wedding reception.”

Yikes. “Do I have to go?”

She laughed. “Yes, you have to go.” She glanced at the counter, which was covered in casserole dishes. “I ate too much, but there’s still plenty of food left. Do you think we couldjust have everybody eat the leftovers instead of making supper tonight?”

Gunner nodded. “Of course. That’s a good idea.”

“Good because I kind of wanted to go frolic with the goats for a while.”

Gunner laughed. “Frolic?”

“Yes, I’ve been so busy that I’ve been neglecting them.”

“So that’s what all the screaming has been about.”

She laughed. “Would you like to go frolic with me?”

Gunner had a thousand things he needed to do, but he said, “Sure,” and followed his wife out through the back door. She made a beeline for the smaller pasture where he kept the babies. He wasn’t surprised. As soon as she stepped into the pasture, they all ran for her, swirling around her legs and letting out their little baby bleats. It was adorable.

“Kash asked me when we were going to start doing goat yoga.”

Gunner made a mental note to punch Kash in the throat. “That’s an easy answer.”

She looked up at him, her eyes questioning.

“The answer is never.”

Her face fell.

“What, you really want to do goat yoga?”

She plopped down on the ground and two different kids climbed into her lap as the rest tried to follow their lead. “I do. I think it would be so fun, and it would bring in some extra money. But I won’t if you don’t want to.”

“Let me ask Tucker to look into insurance, and if it’s possible, I don’t care. Just make sure it happens when I’m on the opposite side of the property.”

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