Page 61 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

I love you too, I think, the words catching in my throat. But is love enough?

As I get ready for bed, my mind won't quiet. I think about Ashanti, about the life I want to give her. I think about Shane,about the future he's offering us. And I think about Jordan, about the last time I let myself believe in a man's promises.

I climb into bed, my body exhausted but my mind alert. As I drift off to sleep, one thought echoes in my mind: I'm engaged.

I lift my left hand and look at my ring finger. Marriage is something I never gave much thought to until I gave birth to Ashanti. Laying in the hospital bed alone with my bundle of joy caused life to take on a new meaning. The sacrifices my mother made to raise three children alone, barely having enough of anything—money, time, energy.

In that bed, I had never felt more alone, and the reality that Jordan would be no help rang true and loud. I assumed I'd be like my mother. Raising my daughter on my own. And as I stand on the cusp of a new reality, I'm unsure how I feel.

Am I afraid? Am I still independent? Am I ready to be Shane's wife?

Just as I'm about to fall asleep, my phone buzzes. I reach for it, squinting at the bright screen in the darkness. My heart stops when I see the message:

Jordan Hendricks:Congratulations!

I sit up, suddenly wide awake. The peace I'd found crumbles, replaced by a familiar fear. As I stare at the message. Then, it buzzes with an incoming call. It's Shane. My heart skips a beat as I answer.

"Hey," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Hey." His voice is laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

I take a deep breath, the weight of Jordan's message crashing over me again. "I...I need you here. Now."

There's a pause, and I can almost see him nodding, understanding without needing further explanation. "I'm on my way."

Relief washes over me, and I end the call, my hands shaking slightly. Part of me can't believe I'm doing this—letting someonein, allowing myself to be vulnerable. But the thought of facing Jordan alone is too much to bear.

It doesn't take long for Shane to arrive. I hear the crunch of gravel outside as his truck pulls up and then a soft knock at the door. I open it to find him standing there, his expression a mix of worry and determination.

"Come in," I whisper, glancing toward Ashanti's room. She's asleep, blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling around us.

Shane steps inside, his eyes searching mine.

I tilt my head up, meeting his gaze. His eyes are soft, filled with a tenderness that makes my heart ache. Without a word, he leans down and kisses me, pouring every ounce of emotion into that single moment.

I take his hand and guide him to my bedroom. He pulls the door closed, and without a word, he starts to undress, stripping down to his boxers. I feel a flush creeping up my neck as I watch him, my body reacting to his proximity in a way I can't control.

I gesture toward Ashanti's room, and he nods, understanding my silent request.

"Trust me," he murmurs, his voice low and reassuring.

Those two words hang in the air between us, loaded with meaning. He's asking me to do the one thing I swore I'd never do again—trust a man with my heart. But as he stands there, waiting patiently beside the bed, I realize that's exactly what I want to do.

I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. "Please don't break my heart," I whisper, the words slipping out before I can stop them.

Shane's eyes blaze with an intensity that makes my pulse race. "Never," he says fiercely. "Breaking your heart would be like breaking my own."

His words hit me like a physical force, and I feel the walls I've so carefully constructed around my heart begin to crumble. It'sas if Shane has become an integral part of me, woven into the fabric of my being without me even realizing it.

When did he go from being the cocky ranch hand to beingmyShane? The man I want to spend the rest of my life with, the man I'm willing to risk everything for?

I sit and pat the bed beside me, and he crawls in, pulling me into his embrace. His skin is warm against mine, and I exhale slowly, feeling a sense of rightness settle over me. This is where I belong—in his arms, safe and loved.

We sit in silence, our bodies intertwined, drawing strength from each other's presence.

"You awake?" I whisper.

He rolls over, his blue eyes meeting mine in the darkness. "Yeah."

---