Page 81 of The Cowboy Who Worked Late

“Henry—Marshall,” the announcer said, and Angel got first-hand experience for how loud the Marshall family could be. She really felt like adding her applause and whooping wouldn’t do anything, but she did it anyway, satisfied when Daddy whistled and applauded as well.

The keenest, most powerful sense of pride Angel had ever felt marched through her as Henry confidently strode acrossthe stage. He shook hands with the four men there, accepted his certificate, and just like everyone else—he wasn’t special—he turned toward the crowd and held up his degree.

His family went nuts again, but Angel clasped her hands together and held them at her throat. She’d never been in love before, and she wondered if this was what it felt like. Like his accomplishment was hers, and she suddenly realized that she had not prepared properly to celebrate this with him.

She knew how hard it was to graduate from farrier school. She’d seen countless men do it and double that amount drop out. Even more couldn’t even get in. Henry had gotten in. He’d stuck with it and graduated at the top of his class. He’d been their only apprentice last year, and within a year, he’d been promoted from team lead to captain. The man exuded charm and charisma, and everything about him was special to Angel. Her emotions wavered and shook and vibrated through her whole body, almost like she might burst into tears.

Did love do that to a person?

How could she be in love with someone after only three months of dating?

You’ve known him for a lot longer, she told herself.How long do you need anyway?

She worked with Henry every single day. They talked all the time. She knew about his work ethic. She knew about his religious commitment. She’d seen him with his family. He’d seen her with hers.

About the only thing they hadn’t talked about was marriage and kids, and she wasn’t really sure how he managed his money. She should probably talk to him about those things. But otherwise, Angel wasn’t really sure what other crucial conversations she needed to have to decide if Henry was worth sticking with. She sure liked him. She felt comfortable with him. He cared for her.

As he walked down the steps and off the stage, and somebody else took the spotlight, Angel couldn’t tear her eyes from him. Marriage was a real commitment. She knew that, but Henry didn’t seem afraid of it.

She wanted to talk to him about it. The fight-or-flight reflex inside of her wanted her to jump out of the stands and run toward him right now, leap into his arms, and start asking questions. She put her hands on her knees almost to keep herself in her seat.

As Henry made it back to his, the names continued to be called. After the four-year degrees, the special certificate ceremony started. They had an additional speaker, and Angel’s anxiety started to bleed through in the form of her foot tapping.

Daddy reached over and put his hand over hers. Angel looked at it, the way his skin was older and more weathered. She turned her hand over, curled her fingers into her daddy’s, and looked over at him with a smile. He looked at her with plenty of questions on his face, but he didn’t vocalize any of them. Angel wouldn’t have been able to answer anyway.

When Flint’s name was called, Angel jumped to her feet and cheered as loud as she could. Daddy whistled. And of course, Flint’s family was there to celebrate with him as well, a few rows back and to her left.

When everything ended, Angel breathed easier. She looked over to Chelsea and said, “Well, that sure was fun.”

“Yes, every one of these men has worked so hard for today.” Chelsea stood and shouldered her purse. “You guys are still okay if we come back to the ranch?”

Angel grinned at her and said, “I think there’ll be a riot if you don’t show up with the food.”

They laughed, and Angel turned to leave with her daddy. She wasn’t sure if she should stay to celebrate with Henry or not. Surely he would meet his family, and they’d hug and takepictures. She suddenly found herself wanting to be in them, wanting to be at his side, simply wanting to be in his orbit because he pulled her in so powerfully.

Before she could decide, she and Daddy went down the stairs, underneath the bleachers, and outside the arena when Henry called her name. She turned back and found him jogging toward her, his blue robes billowing behind him and revealing his black slacks and white shirt—what he might wear to church.

“Hey,” he said as he gathered her into his arms. He swept a quick kiss across her cheek and then moved right to Daddy and hugged him. “Thank you so much for coming, sir. Hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

Daddy grunted, this time in total surprise. Angel couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her daddy hug a cowboy, and she turned her face away to hide her smile. Henry stepped back, grinning from ear to ear, that powerful charm on full display.

“I’m gonna go meet my parents, but we’re still okay to come for lunch, right?”

“Yes,” Angel said. “Everyone’s counting on it. Tables are set and ready.”

He took her hand, his fingers strong and warm. “Do you want to come? I saw you sitting by them.”

Angel looked at Daddy. Daddy looked at her. And she met Henry’s eyes again. “Yeah, I want to come. Can I be in some of the pictures?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” He squeezed her hand, and maybe for the first time, Angel had one of those silent conversations that she’d seen her momma and daddy have.Thank you for inviting me to be in your graduation pictures.

“Come on, Daddy,” she said, taking his hand with her other one. “We don’t have to get back to the ranch anyway.”

“No,” Daddy grumbled. “But I don’t want to be in no pictures.”

Angel laughed and said, “That’s just fine, Daddy.” She released his hand, and he walked alongside her as she hugged Henry’s arm and said, “You looked so good up there, baby. You should have seen yourself walking across that stage.”

He laughed. “Yeah, you think so?”

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