Page 85 of Cowboy Dragon's Rose

It’s like something out of a cowboy Hallmark movie—except this one has Dragons and magic and other things I never knew existed.

It’s amazing, knowing about this secret supernatural world that’s always seemed to live alongside the human one I grew up in.

I mean, sure, I love a good fantasy movie or a fairytale retelling as much as the next girl, but I never thought I’d be living one.

I have to say—I don’t hate it.

I watch my man walk around the front of his truck to my side after his murmured, “Wait there.”

Shivers race up and down my spine. Goosebumps appear on my arms.

The way he takes care of me? How big and strong and utterly masculine he is?

It just takes me to places I never knew existed.

See, Zeke isn’t chauvinistic. He isn’t about false machismo or misogyny.

He’s a born caretaker.

Well, for me, anyway.

And I love that about him.

Hell, I love everything about him.

My heart squeezes inside my chest as Zeke helps me out of the truck like it’s second nature.

He holds my hand as we walk up the path to the front porch. And the second we step through the big wooden front door, I know something’s brewing.

I thought we were here to tell Max what’s going on and to ask for sanctuary, but it appears to be a full house.

I mean, they’re all here.

Every single one of them.

Avery and Dante. Penny and Max. Jezebel and Emmet. Arliss and Kian. Even Jed, looking grumpy but holding a plate of cookies like he baked them himself—he didn’t, from the way Avery is glaring at him, my guess is he stole them from one of the pregnant women and is now feeding them to one of his Dollies.

I sniff and grin, wiping at the single tear sliding down my cheek.

The air smells like cinnamon and fresh linen.

Laughter hums in the background.

The kids are all tucked away in the nursery, and Mrs. O’Hare waves from down the hall as she herds two toddlers into a play pen like a damn magician.

On the table, in the living room, are even more plates of cookies and pitchers of herbal tea and lemonade.

There’s not a single raised eyebrow, not one look of judgment.

Just support.

Warmth.

Family.

It’s amazing.

But it’s almost too much.

---