Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
He nods. “Okay. I really want to go now, but I guess I can wait.” He sounds defeated, but he’ll be over it the moment Cash lives up to his word tomorrow – and the man absolutely will.
Cash then stands and looks toward my uncle. “If that’s all okay with you, of course.”
Uncle Jeffrey rolls his eyes. “As long as you’re trustworthy and so is your horse, and I’ve seen no evidence to the contrary. And you got Zack all excited already, so I guess you’ve got my blessing.”
My beau looks uncharacteristically shy as he adds, “I’ve got something else I want to ask your permission for, Mr. Michaels.”
More eyebrow raising from Uncle. “Oh yeah?” He looks at me. “Would this be about Cassie?”
Cash turns to me, and pulls me close in an embrace. “It is. I don’t know if you’ve picked this up, but I’m kind of crazy about your niece. Head over heels. As soon as I get a ring, I want to propose to her. Make her mine officially. But call me old-fashioned. I like to ask permission first.”
Uncle Jeffrey is still confused. “Why are you asking me? She’s her own woman, she can make a decision like this.”
I look into Cash’s eyes. “It’s the twenty-first century, Cash, despite you showing up on a horse. Not to mention, aren’t you supposed to be asking my father and not my uncle?”
“Yes,” Cash says, “but your father is very far away, and I’d like to get to the marrying part sooner rather than later. Maybe I’m just looking for a shortcut, but I’d be happy to ask your father if it’s important to you.”
I just cackle loudly. “You’re quite the man, Cash Rowdy. Full of surprises and adventure. You already know the answer when you get around to asking that question. After all, I’m always excited to go for a ride with a real cowboy, Cash. And I mean that in every way you can take it.”
“So Aunt Cassie likes horse riding too?” little Zoe asks, completely oblivious to the situation around her. Zack has returned to coloring and is ignoring the whole situation. “She seemed scared last time though...”
Every adult in the room looks at her, then one another. We burst out laughing.
The two of us may have come from very different worlds, but we’re going to gel together so beautifully.
He’s the perfect man to ride off into the sunset with.
EPILOGUE 1
CASH
Life’s only gotten more and more blessed for me in this past year, honestly.
Finally broke away from my father’s farmhouse and got my cousins to build me one of my own. They did a fantastic job and it’s my own little piece of paradise that I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life.
Of course, I wouldn’t have been ready for my own place without a wife to share it with, and the former Cassidy Michaels is the woman I’ve been waiting for.
I pull into the driveway and kill the engine. Yes, I’m driving a motor vehicle. Dad’s ranch is far enough away from where I live to justify it, although I can still ride Monterrey into town for errands, and to take my woman for the occasional joyride.
I have a box of cookies under my arm as I head into our house. It’s only been a year, so it’s a tad under-decorated right now, but Cassidy is always ready to remind me it’s a work in progress. We’ll collect plenty of heirlooms and lovely things as the years go by and our family only grows.
It’s all fine with me. As long as I have her and a comfortable place to sleep and do other bed-related things, I’m a happy man.
When I come inside, I find her singing to herself as she’s putting away the dishes, and I take my time in my approach, admiring her. She’s barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. I have to laugh a bit. She’s the walking cliche of a country woman now, but Cassidy has never been happier. She still looks after the Michaels twins, but now that they’re off to kindergarten, they need a lot less tending to, and she’s looking forward to having a kid of her own to look after.
“Got your cookies, Cass,” I say, stepping behind her, running my hands over her, enjoying the healthy bump that she has. I smile widely as I massage her, and she turns to get me to kiss her. I never deny her.
“Oatmeal chocolate peanut shortbread?”
“Exactly as you ordered them. Baker wasn’t even fazed by your strange combo. Guess he’s used to husbands coming in for their pregnant wives.”
She chuckles. “I’m still trying to nail down what exactly I want, but I’m sure they’ll enjoy the continued business and the cookies will be absolutely delicious either way.”
“One sweet thing deserves another.”