Page 62 of A Cowboy's Trust
“Perfect. You’re my escort, then? Give me your arm.”
Ten-year-old Carter made a face. “Okay, but you’re too tall for me.”
“It’s good practice for when you get bigger and end up taller than all the girls in your life. You’ll have some perspective.” Tansy slipped her fingers over his elbow, adjusted them slightly, then nodded her approval. “Lead on.”
The kid was a gem. He lifted his chin and got into it, back poker straight as if he were a gentleman. They slow marched all the way through the house from where she’d been daydreaming quietly on the front porch swing to the back garden where the rest of the family was gathered.
Jake glanced over from where he stood with Walker and Chance, his grin widening as he spotted her. Jake pivoted on a heel and made an interception course.
“May I take over?” Jake asked Carter politely.
“Nope.”
Tansy bit her lips to keep from snickering as her nephew laid a possessive hand over her fingers and locked her in place. Carter lifted his chin, stubbornness written on every inch of him.
Jake straightened. “No?”
Carter shook his head. “Mom said if I found Auntie Tansy, I got an extra piece of cake. I’m not messing with that. I’m delivering her.”
Amusement shot sky high. It was a great reason to be fought over. “In that case, I agree. No changing of the guard at this point.” Tansy winked at Jake. “There is cake on the line.”
Jake raised his hands in the air in surrender, smiling as he backed away.
In a tradition they’d started years ago when Tansy had first joined the family, she and Rose linked hands and cut into the simple pan cake for their shared thirty-third birthday celebration.
Everyone sang the birthday song, then Walker played his guitar and sang a few more of their favourites. Rose ignored her fiancée and tugged Tansy with her to the tire swing, curling up together as if they were once again thirteen years old.
Rose’s eyes shone as she took in the gathered family, lingering on Chance before moving over Jake. “He fits in pretty damn good,” she offered.
Tansy leaned into Rose’s side, left arm curled around her sister’s waist. “He’s a good man, Rose. I’m really enjoying having a steady boyfriend for the first time ever.”
“That’s good. But don’t be afraid to take the next step when it’s time,” Rose said softly.
“Does this mean you’ll take your own advice and pick a date for your wedding?” Tansy teased.
Rose’s expression went thoughtful. “Yup.”
Well damn. “Really?” Tansy demanded.
Her sister grinned back. “Midsummer. See how easy that was?”
Easy, huh? Tansy stared across the garden at Jake, coming to the conclusion that as much as she wanted more, it was too soon, all things considered.
For now, she’d just keep enjoying their here and now. Keep practicing looking into the future and not at the past.
Jake strodethrough the living room toward the front door when he realized for once no one else was around in the High Water ranch house. Just him and Tansy, who was busily cooking, with pots on the stove and ingredients all over the counter.
It was too good an opportunity to miss.
He pivoted on the spot, stopping directly behind her, hands on the counter on either side of her hips. He pressed against her back and nuzzled his lips to her neck. “Hello, beautiful. What’re you up to?”
“Making enchiladas. I thought you were out with the hands all day dealing with the arrival of the new flock?”
“Headed there soon enough,” he said nipping at her earlobe. “Only, I’m hungry.”
“There are leftovers in the—Oh my God, Jake.” Tansy’s head fell back on his shoulder because he’d slid his hands under her shirt and upward until he cupped her breasts. Working her nipples through the soft fabric of her sports bra, he kept up the assault on the sweet spot on her neck he knew drove her crazy.
Two and a half months. That’s how long they’d officially been doing this, and Jake couldn’t imagine it getting any better.
