Page 94 of Never Left You

God, she was adorable.I grinned. “I love a bratwurst, grilled preferably. Favorite things include reading, rodeos, and you. Green is my favorite color, and in my spare time…I like to draw.”

Abi’s eyes widened. “Draw? You draw?”

“Not very well, and I haven’t in a long time. Actually, I just bought a sketchbook a few weeks ago. I’ve doodled in it.”

Her jaw dropped slightly as her smile widened. “Can I see them?”

“I’ll bring it to the ranch tomorrow.”

She rolled her lips and stepped back, her hands trailing down my arms to find both of my hands. “What do you draw?” she asked, her body spinning to walk back towards the food truck. Stetson was already in line, standing with his hands in his pockets, stance wide, his hat perched on his head…a true cowboy in the making.

“Horses, bulls, barns…things like that. Again, Abs, they aren’t very good.”

“I doubt that.” She pulled me closer. “What’s something you’ve drawn recently?”

One of the last things I drew? Her and Luna in the field. Taking a deep breath, I decided to be brave. “A couple weeks ago, I saw you and Luna out in the field, just resting.”

“Yeah, we like the time together.” She smiled, lifting her chin.

“I drew that. It’s messy and…”

“You drew…me?” Her voice dropped, her eyes seeming to fog.

I nodded. “I draw what I see.”

After the soft smile left her lips, a sigh following, she raised herself on her toes and kissed me. Her fingers locked on my nape as our mouths moved together flawlessly. Sparks flew betweenus as we got completely lost in each other. I could kiss this woman for the rest of my life if she’d let me.

“Mom!” Stetson called. “We’re next!”

Abi chuckled. “Come on, Cash. He may lose his mind if we don’t get him a funnel cake.”

We caught up with Stetson and ordered funnel cakes with lemonade, easily the best fifty-four dollars I’ve ever spent. Once they were gone and Stetson was fully sugared up, we went to watch the rodeo. Stetson cheered for the bareback riders, and complained it was too late to sign up for mutton busting. Once the barrel racers began, I started watching all their maneuvers. Stetson clapped and cheered for each girl.

“Quinn should have signed up for this one.” Abi shouted over the screaming crowd. “Youshould have signed up for this one.” She nudged me.

I let out a laugh. “It’s one thing in your arena back home, not here.”

“Not yet,” Abi whispered. “But it could happen.”

“I won’t say never…just…I need some more practice rides first.”

“More rides.” Abi rested her chin on my shoulder.

“Uncle Cash!” Stetson shouted, catching my attention.

I turned to the boy sitting at my side. “What’s up, Stet?”

“Bulls are next! Can we stay? Mom never lets me watch the bulls.”

Taking a deep breath, I looked at Abi. Her eyes were heavy on her son. She twisted her lips, and her jaw tensed. She didn’t watch the bull riders, even when Oakes did his practice run before finally signing on to train, she stayed out of the arena. She hasn’t outwardly said why, but I knew the reason. The last time she saw a man on a bull, the rider died. I could imagine how hard this could be for her, and I didn’t want the night to end with thisfeeling. Her eyes looked up at me and sighed, a silent plea in her look.

“Nah bud, let’s head—"

“We can stay,” Abi interrupted me.

“Yes!” Stetson fist pumped.

“You sure?” I whispered

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