Page 122 of The Cowboy's Unshakeable Love

She laughed. “Oh, you will, will you?”

He nodded vigorously. “I might seem like a teddy bear most of the time, but I should warn you that I might turn into a territorial grizzly bear if I think some guy’s after my woman.”

“I probably shouldn’t tell you this, it’s probably just another old-fashioned way of thinking that I shouldn’t admit to, but I kind of like the idea of you getting all territorial.”

He had to smile. “I’m glad. I thought you might be mad at me, but I had to say it anyway.”

She shook her head slowly. “No. It makes me feel like you care.”

“You know I do. No way am I going to let some young buck try to steal you away from me. I love you. You’re all mine.”

They’d reached town by now, and Travis pulled into the parking lot of the Civic Center, where the fundraiser dinner wasbeing held. He parked in one of the accessible spaces and hung the tag on the rearview mirror.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to leave the truck here,” he told Retta. “It’s just while we get you inside.”

“I can go with them, while you move the truck,” she said, pointing to where Trip and Shelly were walking across the parking lot toward them.

Travis grinned. “Okay, but let me get you set up in the chair first.”

“You know I don’t want to use it.”

He held her gaze. “And you know that I choose my battles. If there’s even the slightest chance that I can get a dance with you later, I want to take it. But that’s not likely to happen if you’ve already worn yourself out just getting inside.”

“Okay! You win. I’ll go in the chair. But I’m telling you now that you owe me a dance later.”

He grinned. “Be happy to, darlin’.”

They were soon inside and found the table where the others were already waiting for them. Deacon and Candy, and Ace and Ari all got to their feet to greet them.

After they’d all said hello, Travis looked around for Libby.

“Libby texted to say that she’ll be here a little later,” said Candy.

“She is still coming, though?” Retta asked.

“Yes, she just got held up a bit.”

Travis leaned back in his chair and watched Retta chat with the other women. He loved seeing her out like this. Candy and Ari were both dolled up and looking great, but as far as he was concerned, Retta was the most beautiful woman in the room.

Libby arrived just before dinner was served. She looked a little harried, but brushed Ace’s concerns off when he asked her about it.

The meal was wonderful, and it tickled Travis to be out with his friends and their women like this.

Trip caught his gaze and gave him a puzzled look. “What are you smirking to yourself about?” he asked in a low voice.

Travis chuckled. “Just at the situation – the four of us being out together like this. When you think of all the situations – the hellholes – we’ve encountered over the years, it’s hard to believe that this is where we are today.”

“I guess it is. I’m glad we made it this far.”

Travis made a face at him. “If you’re going to go thanking me again ...”

Trip laughed. “That wasn’t what I was thinking – although we both know that I’ll never stop thanking you for saving my life. What I meant was that I’m glad that the four of us are here now.” His smile faded. “Call me greedy if you will, but I’ll be even happier if the day ever comes when the rest of the guys are here with us.”

“Yeah,” said Travis. “Even if we can get everyone together again, though, can you see them all being here with their women? – Having women to be with? If Mav isn’t with Libby, I can’t imagine him with anyone else. And Cash … the same goes for him. I can’t see him and Jenna ever finding their way back to each other, but I can’t see him settling down with someone who isn’t her. Then there’s Emmett – he lost Emily, he has the girls – do you think that he would ever open his heart to another woman? And Blane…” He chuckled “… Do you think there’s a woman on the planet who could put up with his grumpy ass?”

Trip laughed with him. “You’re forgetting someone.”

“Who?”

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