Page 34 of Lucky Cowboy

“Done. Now, let’s make a pact. Nothing will prevent this from happening. Even if something comes up for one of us, the other will go to them. Yes?”

“One hundred percent.” He’d never agreed to a pact faster.

As he might’ve predicted, that next month dragged like a sickly sloth. Their letters practically flew back and forth as if each were trying to get in as many as possible in the interim. It helped a little. But nothing could dampen his enthusiasm for being in her literal presence again. He didn’t think wild horses could hinder him.

His only fear—and he was trying hard not to catastrophize—was that something might occur simultaneously to each of them. That would be the one instance that would ruin their plans. But even though it was outside the box thinking for him, he did his best to visualize everything happening like they wanted it to. Because he needed this. He was certain they both did.

He would show her around town and stroll with her through the square, maybe even get a photo of her with the founder and his horse. He’d take her to The Steer House, just like he’d thought, and most pertinent of all, he’d hold her.

Mark might not ever be willing to let go of her again, either.

On her side of things, she’d suggested riding horses together at her little homestead and stables. Not only did she have Maybelline, but she boarded a couple of other horses there, as well. Mainly for the money.

This was a recent update that Mitzi had suggested, and so far, it’d worked out great. Mark agreed to everything. He’d agree to do anything she wanted. And the notion of again enjoying an old hobby of his just made him happier.

If felt almost surreal when he picked her up at the Overlook Grand Mountain Lodge where she’d be lodging. But at that point, he would’ve picked her up on the moon if she’d asked him. The first thing he did was what he’d promised himself as he held there right there in the lobby for five entire minutes.

Their embrace went on for long enough that they started getting stares, and he knew the local gossip mill would be reporting on this like it was major news. But he didn’t give a hoot. He’d waited an inordinately long time for this, and he refused to apologize for doing what had been delayed for far too long.

He nearly zeroed in on her lips for a kiss, but the manager of the hotel approached.

“Sheriff, is there anything I can help you with?” Couldn’t the guy see that he wasn’t in uniform? And that Val was in Mark’s arms? Was he blind?

“No. I’m good.”

“Well, it’s just that we’ve never had the honor of your presence without there being some official business afoot.”

The guy wasn’t even looking in Val’s direction. Mark took in a breath. “Nothing happening now. Don’t worry.”

He’d only glimpsed down at Val for a split-second when the manager continued to bulldoze forward. “Sheriff?—”

“Listen, Mr. Jacoby? Is that your name?” she interrupted the man.

“Yes,” Jacoby finally registered who Val was. “Ms. Bernard, I heard that you’d be with us for a few days. If there’s anything I can personally do to ensure that your stay is an excellent one, please let?—”

She cut him off again, smiling the whole time. “One thing you can do is let me be with my man, here. The sheriff and I have some private business to attend to.”

“Oh, of course. And let me upgrade your regular room to one of our suites at no extra charge and have our bellboy see to your bags. Sorry to intrude.”

“That’d be lovely. Thank you.”

“You know,” she leaned in to whisper in Mark’s ear. “Right now, you’re off-duty. And soon, you’ll be coming home with me to ride horses.”

“That’s true.”

“So how about you temporarily relinquish your sheriff title and trade it in for cowboy.”

“Cowboy, eh.” He smiled at her. “I like that.”

“Yes,” she said, pinning him up against the wall of a nearby alcove that was more out of the way. “Mycowboy.”

And with that whispered announcement, she kissed him.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Although kissingMark like this had come to Val as a solution to both missing him and the intrusion of a certain hotel manager, now that it was actually taking place she had to appreciate the impulse. Because having her lips pressed to Mark’s was a revelation. Even a benediction.

All that time she’d spent pining for him culminated in this one moment. Everything else fell away. The background of the other guests strolling by in the corridor. Her worry for her dad. Her near miscalculation at her latest show. Even Biggs. All of it disappeared as she became completely consumed with the warmth of his arms belting securely around her shoulders as they breathed the same air at the same time.

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