Page 42 of Marrying a Cowboy

“Emma,” he whispered. There was so much he wanted to tellher.

She closed her lips and shook her head slightly. He wanted to continue but kept his mouth closed. If she was asking him to stay silent then hewould.

“So, yes. Our marriage was a whirlwind one. But I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.” From where he was standing, he could see tears forming on herlids.

Gran was studying her. She sighed and fiddled with her phone. After a few seconds, turned it around. “So, what does this mean?” she asked, moving to phone over so Austin could seeit.

It was a picture someone took over Emma’s shoulder. A text to Vincent. Gran held it steady as he readit.

Things with Austin arebad.

“Jasmine told me that she took this just yesterday at the bar. Wanna tell me what itmeans?”

Austin’s heart broke as he reread the words he’d seen earlier. Why he wanted Emma to care about him, he didn’t know. A smart person didn’t let people into their lives. They kept themselves separate from everyone. That way, they never got hurt. Why did he let Emma into hislife?

“Mrs. Maverick, that was my fault. In an emotional state, I texted that to my ex. I didn’t mean it. Austin and I are still trying to figure each other out. I’m sorry I ever saidthat.”

When Austin met her gaze, he couldn’t turn away. She was sorry. There was a look in her eye that told him, she cared. How much, he didn’t know. But their arrangement had quickly moved from platonic friends to somethingelse.

“Truth is, the more I get to know him, the more I find myself caring for him.” Her voice dipped down as she turned to stare out thewindow.

Gran sighed, glancing from Emma over to him. “This true? Is that how you feel aswell?”

Austin stepped closer toward Emma. Was it wrong that he wanted to yell his answer? It felt as if it would burst from hischest.

“Gran, Emma is the sweetest, nicest”—he lowered his voice—“sexiest woman I’ve ever met. I’m lucky to have met her and even luckier that she said yes to marrying me.” Emma turned to look at him. A tear slipped down her cheek. Not fighting his feelings anymore, he took the two big steps and brought her into his arms. Reaching up, he gingerly wiped the tear from her cheek. “And I love her,” he said, his voice so full of emotion that he could barely get the wordsout.

“Austin,” she whispered as she leaned closer tohim.

When she looked up at him, all he wanted to do was bend down, and kiss her on the lips. Not in the way he’d kissed her that morning. But in a gentle way that showed him just how he felt abouther.

He felt her hands make their way up his shoulders and behind his neck. Everything about being this close to her intoxicated him. He could barely breathe and yet, all he wanted to do was breathe her in. Memorize the feeling of her body next to his. In this moment, he realized, she couldn’t go back to NewYork.

That he couldn’t go back to life before he met her. It was foolish to think that he could be with anyone else, much less alone here. His life would never be thesame.

She pushed up onto her toes, until her lips were inches from his ear. He closed his eyes, as he allowed his heart to swell with feelings for her. Feelings that he’d never felt for anyone. Georgia’s memory was a distant blip on his past. And right now, Emma was his entirefuture.

“Do you mean it?” she asked. Her voice was breathy on hisear.

He hesitated. What could he say to that? Tell her that yes, it was all true. That he meant every word of it? What if she didn’t feel the same? What if she was just pretending? Suddenly, the memory of standing on the strip alone hit him like a Macktruck.

He desperately wanted to tell her he had feelings for her. But, how could he do that and protect himself at the same time? His feelings could take over his heart, but his mind was fightingback.

“Did you?” He pulled back to look at her. He wanted to see her reaction. Her expression would tell more than herwords.

There was a look of uncertainty in her eyes. For a moment, he allowed himself to believe that she cared for him in a way that was building up inside of himself. In a way that was rapidly making him realize that there was no turning back. His life could never be thesame.

Gran’s loud sigh drew their attention over toher.

“Well, I have to say, if you’re lying, you both are pretty good at it.” She narrowed her gaze in his direction. “But, if getting married was my stipulation then I guess you fulfilled it.” She walked over and grabbed her discarded purse. “I’ll head into town and find Porter, if he hasn’t been run out of town from malpractice. I’ll sign the papers and head out tonight. I’m needed in Orlandotomorrow.”

Austin pulled back from Emma and nodded. “Thanks, Gran.” He moved to give herhug.

When he pulled back, she raised her hand and rested it on his cheek. “I just wanted you to find happiness. Not make you miserable and push you into something you don’t want. You have to knowthat.”

Austin nodded and then dipped down and kissed her cheek. “I know,Gran.”

She smiled up at him. “I can be stubborn, but I love you.” Then she turned her attention over to Emma. “Take good care of my grandson. And you’ll be okay in mybook.”

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