Page 143 of The Cowbears of Curvy Bear Ranch

Kate gasped and stared at him while Milton’s eyesnarrowed.

“Is that true, sweetheart? Are you marrying this backward piece of crap?” Miltonasked.

“Yes, I am, and I’m not selling, so please leave,” Katesnapped.

Although Logan could feel her trembling against him, the anger in her tone was enough to send Milton scurrying to the SUV. When he reached the driver’s side door, he yankeditopen.

“You’d better watch your back,” Milton snarled. “You wouldn’t want to see anyone in your family hurt,wouldyou?”

“You ever come back here, I’ll shoot you on sight,”Logansaid.

Milton’s eyes narrowed as he hopped into the SUV. He raced away in such a way that made Logan confident that he would never return to bother his mate, or hisfamily.

Kate slipped out of his grasp and turned to face him. “Did you mean whatyousaid?”

“About shooting him?” He knew what she meant, but just in case she thought he was kidding, he wanted to give himself awayout.

“No,” she said. “About gettingmarried.”

He didn’t hesitate as he dropped to one knee. As he reached for her left hand, her right hand flew up to cover hermouth.

“Kate, I know I wasn’t the nicest guy back in high school,”hesaid.

“You wereajerk.”

“I was,” he agreed. “But I’ve changed, and so have you. The last few days have made me realize that I need you in my life. The thought of losing you is too much to bear. Hell, my bear’s going to rip out my heart if I can’t find a way to makeyoustay.”

“He doesn’t have to,”shesaid.

“Hedoesn’t?”

“No.”

Buoyed by her responses, he regained his composure. “I love you, Kate. I’ve probably loved you my whole life but was just too stupid to see it. I’m not perfect, but if you’ll have me, I’ll build you the biggest house Hebgen Lake’s ever had on itsshores.”

“And who’s going to clean this huge house?” she asked with anarchedbrow.

“Well you are, of course,” hejoked.

“Barefoot, pregnant, and cleaning… I can’t wait.” She slapped his shoulderplayfully.

“Seriously though, I love you. I want you in my life—no—Ineedyou in my life. I want to spend every day for the rest of my life loving you and protecting you.” When she smiled, he continued, “I would have waited to do this proper, so I don’t have a ring yet, but honey, will youmarryme?”

“Yes.”

She flung herself into his arms, toppling them both over into the snow. He gave her a kiss hot enough to melt a glacier before scooping her into his arms. It wasn’t until he’d crossed the threshold into her bedroom that he realized she hadn’t said she lovedhimyet.

He gently set her down on the bed then stood beside it, staring at her like a fool. If he came out and asked her, she might not give him a genuine answer. But just when his chest started to implode, she pushed him down ontohisback.

“Logan, I’ve really only known you for a handful of days. But in that time, you’ve helped me see that love is possible, and that it’s all around you if you really look for it. I love you. More than I ever thought I could love anyone. I’ve had all this love locked up in my heart my whole life, but never had anyone to give it to until you.” She leaned across his chest and lay her head over his heart. “I love you, now andforever.”

His throat went raw. He pulled her on top of his body so he could feel the solid weight of her. God, he loved thiswoman.

“Tomorrow morning, we’re going into town and I’m going to find a perfect engagement ringforyou.”

“I can’t wait.” The vibrant smile in her eyes morphed into something dark and sensual. She shimmied down his body and straddled his thighs. As she unbuckled his belt, she murmured, “I want you again.Rightnow.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with asultrygrin.

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