Page 115 of Nanny for the Cowboy

“Thank you, bud.”

Brooks takes my chin and kisses me again. The moment lingers, and I forget everything around me until Darby clears his throat.

“Too much kissing?” Brooks cocks a brow at his son.

“Yes! Ugh!” Darby laughs, though, and I know he’s still so glad to see his father actually happy for a change.

Then my dad suddenly appears behind the two of them, and he scoops up Darby into a hug before setting him down.

“You ready for our sleepover, kiddo?”

Darby nods happily. “Heck, yes! Let’s go, Pop!”

I raise my brows, a little surprised. “Now? I thought it wasn’t until later?”

“Nah, they’re set to go after the show. I have somewhere special I want to take you.” Brooks is all mischievous grins and knowing eyes with my dad.

“What are you up to?” I furrow my brow at them both, but the glare lands on Brooks—playful and suspicious.

“You’ll see. Let’s go.”

Before I can think, Brooks has me moving, and we walk to the truck. Leo and Darby head off back to my dad’s farmhouse for the weekend, and I sit in the passenger seat, very much on edge to see what Brooks has up his sleeve.

It’s not that long of a drive before Brooks pulls the truck over near the oak tree on the ranch and comes around from the driver’s side to let me out. It’s a chivalrous move from him, and I know he’s trying to lay it on thick.

Smiling, I take his hand and let him help me down. “What’s going on, Brooks?”

“You’ll see.” He grins—so wide and so damn charming, his dimples showing on his stubbly cheeks. “Wait here for just a moment.”

I oblige, my heart pounding against my ribs. I’m so curious what he’s up to and so thrilled to be a part of it. Brooks has definitely shown that gifts and big gestures are his way of showing his love.

I amnotcomplaining.

As I wait near the front of the truck, I can hear Brooks walk over by the tall oak tree we’re parked near, and I keep myself from looking. He’s trying so hard with the surprise. I don’t want to ruin it.

Suddenly, a string of lights that I didn’t notice until now flickers to life. The bulbs create a soft glow, and I smile. They wrap around the tree trunk, and I turn over my shoulder just a bit to see Brooks lifting up another strand and draping it along the edge of the truck bed.

“Almost there,” Brooks calls out, and I wiggle in place, excitement building.

The sound of the cover pulling off the bed is loud, and I realize that I didn’t even see that it was closed. I wait a few more minutes, and then Brooks comes up to me, taking my hands.

“Come on.”

He walks me around the truck, and I see that in the bed, he’s created a little picnic for us. There are pillows and blankets piled into the back and a basket of food, with a bottle of wine poking out the top.

“Oh my God, Brooks.” My hands go to my mouth as I look on in shock. “This is incredible! You did all this for me?”

“Nope, for someone else, but she never showed.” I whack his arm as he laughs. “Yes, of course it was for you.”

“I love it.” Walking up to him, I pull Brooks close and kiss him again. “So, can I get in or what?”

He grins. “yeah, I suppose.”

Brooks helps me into the truck bed. I kick off my shoes, not wanting to get things dirty, especially considering the blankets and pillows are a soft, almost beige shade of off-white.

Snuggling into the oversized pillows, I wait for Brooks to join me. He does, sitting down next to me, and then he goes for the bottle in the basket. When he pulls it out, I realize it’s not wine but champagne.

“Oh? Are we celebrating something?” The bubbly gold liquid fills two cups, and Brooks hands one to me.

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