Page 70 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

Magnolia’s jaw dropped. There were so many questions running through her head right now, starting withWhen did you change your mind?Obviously, Lucas had been making plans.

“I guess y’all are getting along better than you let on,” Layla said, giving Magnolia a coy grin.

A shaky laugh left Magnolia’s throat. “I guess so.”

“Will y’all be back by New Year’s Eve?” Layla asked.

“We’re not sure yet,” Lucas answered, “but we’ll keep you posted.”

The conversation moved to other topics, but Magnolia hardly heard a word. All she could think about was that Lucas had agreed to marry her! Her head was teeming with all sorts of thoughts and plans. There was so much to do! So little time. She had to book flights to Asheville, call the wedding planner and give her Lucas’s tux measurements. Well, first Magnolia had to get the measurements from Lucas. She needed his belt size.Shoe size. She needed to coach him on how to deal with her grandfather.Yikes!That would be tricky. Oh, and Lucas needed to know how to navigate Eric Stanford, the attorney over the estate. She would need to take Lucas shopping, buy him some tailored clothes that would fit into the Bentley world.

She thought past the wedding. Where would they live? She could work from anywhere. Would Lucas choose to purchase a ranch nearby, so he could be close to his family? Magnolia looked around at the group. She couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, that she’d felt so comfortable in a family setting. It would be easy to come to adore Layla and Dylan. Sitting here with all of them, the fanciful side of Magnolia could almost make herself believe that she and Lucas were actually a couple. That they were as blissfully in love with one another as Lexi and Asher were.

Magnolia knew she was daydreaming, but it was a wonderful dream. She sighed as she glanced at Lucas, admiring the clean edge of his strong jaw. The faint dusting of freckles across his nose gave him a boyish appearance. His spiky hair was as cute as it was reckless. A smile tipped her lips.

Lucas gave her a quizzical look. “You okay?” he whispered.

“Yep,” she quipped, “I’m great.” She would continue indulging in the fantasy a little longer, if only for tonight.

Chapter Four

Magnolia hugged her arms, trying to ward off the frigid air seeping into her bones. After dinner was over, the group moved into the living room where they swapped stories and enjoyed one another’s company. When it was time for Magnolia to leave, Lucas offered to walk her out. Being out here alone with Lucas sent a shot of adrenaline through her veins. She turned to him. “What made you change your mind? About marrying me?” Her breath came out in puffs of mist that froze into droplets the instant they left her mouth.

He rested his back against the handrail. “A funny thing happened today. I was at work. The feeder shorted out. I wanted to call my buddy Walter McIntosh who’s been begging for our business, but Jaxson wouldn’t have it. He insisted on calling Vance Bryant.” He grunted in disgust. “The old curmudgeon charges a fortune. I wouldn’t put it past him to just slap a band aid on the problem, knowing good and well that we’ll have to call him every month or so to come back out. Jaxson and I had a few words. As always, it’s either his way or the highway.” He paused, giving Magnolia a meaningful look. “I got to thinking about your offer, how nice it would be to get out from underneath Jaxson. To have my own ranch.”

She swallowed the curious disappointment that lumped in her throat. The fantasy was over, taking all the pleasure of the evening with it. This was all business. She forced her voice to go light. “And here I thought I’d won you over with my cornbread.”

A lopsided grin tugged at his lips. “Well, that too.”

Their eyes met as the moment slowed. It would be so easy to fall for Lucas all over again. She traced the outline of his lips, her breath coming faster. An erratic energy ricocheted through her. If she kissed him right now, would everything be ruined? Yes! Most definitely! Her emotions were running away with her. If she weren’t careful, they’d run right off a cliff.Get a grip, she commanded herself as she took a step back to put distance between them. Time was on her side. All she had to do was get Lucas to the altar. Then, she’d have five glorious years to make him fall in love with her. She flinched at the direction her thoughts were taking. She was jumping the gun here, thinking love when Lucas didn’t even like her.One thing at a time.

“What happens next?” Lucas asked.

She clasped her hands, the practical side of her brain taking control. “We’ll need to get you some new clothes.”

His eyes bugged before narrowing into slits. “What’s wrong with my clothes?”

“Nothing,” she said lightly, “when you’re working on the ranch.” She paused, trying to figure out how to phrase the rest.

“Spit it out,” he demanded. “You don’t wanna be embarrassed by me.” His mesmerizing eyes held a direct challenge. He was so formidable. So passionate about every little thing. So deliciously exhilarating.

“No, that’s not it at all. I’d never be embarrassed by you. I think it’s awesome that you love what you do.” That was the honest truth. Lucas was the type of man that any woman who had an ounce of sense would be proud to claim as hers.

His expression was suspicious. “Really?”

She nodded. “Really. This doesn’t have anything to do with what I think. It’s what my grandfather and Eric Stanford, the attorney over the estate, think. They have to both consent to the marriage.”

He rubbed a hand across his jaw. “This is a whole horse wagon of crazy.”

“Tell me about it.” Suddenly, she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t take this cowboy, who had such a wonderful life and family, and taint him with the Bentley wealth. She had to think of what was best for Lucas, instead of only thinking of herself. Her eyes prickled with moisture. “This isn’t going to work.” Rocks settled in her stomach. “I’m sorry,” she uttered as she turned to leave.

Lucas caught her arm. “Wait a minute.”

She turned to face him.

He pushed out a heavy breath. “Fine, I’ll get new clothes.”

Laughter gurgled in her throat. “This isn’t about the clothes.”

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