Page 55 of What the Cowboy Wants
“So, talk,” she said while waiting for the coffee machine.
He was burning up and she wanted to talk.“Now?”
“You’re the one hell-bent on talking.I don’t know what else you want to say.You don’t want anything serious, I know.You just want a fling until you want to move on, I know.Anything else you want to add?”
Taking the box from his pocket, he got down on one knee.“Yeah, I have something to add.”
*
Rose sighed.Seriously,what else did Cooper want to say?She’d made it clear she understood what he wanted and didn’t want, why did he have to drag this out?Taking a deep breath, she turned around.And promptly lost her breath.
He was on one knee, his shirt still open, giving her a glimpse of his muscled chest, but what drew her eyes at the moment was the small box he had in his hand.Her heart skidded to a standstill before it bravely tried to resume its beating.
“Rose Dalton, I lost my heart to you the moment I saw you.I’m no prize, believe me, I know.I live on a ranch with my interfering family and a sister who knows things.I talk to animals, I feel my family’s pain.The reason I didn’t want to get married was because I was worried I won’t be able to handle one more person’s pain.But then you showed up, hurt and wet but so brave, I fell head over heels in love with you right there, standing in the rain next to your car.You told me a while back what kind of man you would want when you ever fall in love again.Well, I’m that man.I never want to be without you if I can help it.And when I’m with you, I don’t notice anyone else.I’m the someone you were looking for to love you.Will you please marry me and be my wife and live with me and Prince and Charlie and Ebony and Lady?”
By the time he’d finished talking she was on her knees in front of him, tears streaming down her face.“And Scarlett,” she sniffed.“You remembered my words.Tell me again?”
In the depths of his blue eyes she could see his love, but she was finding it hard to believe it.“You were so adamant about not getting married and here you are, on your knee with a ring.Are we talking about a wedding?”
“We’re talking about a wedding.”he said with a grin.
“You do know what that means?There will be people.And I want the whole shebang—flowers, dress, cake, lights, the works.It doesn’t have to be a big wedding, I’m happy with just family and friends, but are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I told you everything has changed.I love you, Rose Dalton.Last night I told you in all the ways I knew how much.For you, I’ll do anything, even a wedding.”Smiling slowly, his gaze slid over her face.“What about you?You haven’t told me how you feel.”
“Can’t you feel it?”
His eyes were dark pools of emotion.“The words, Rose, I need to hear you say it.”
She put her hands around his face.“I love you, Cooper Weston.And yes, I’ll marry you and share your house with you and your furry friends.I’m not sure what Ebony is going to say about another woman in her house, though.”
His smile took away her last doubts.“She wants you to know you’re very welcome as long as you remember she was there first.”
“Noted,” she laughed.
Cooper opened the little box.A green stone with diamonds on either side winked at her.
“It’s my mom’s ring.”His voice wasn’t quite steady.“That’s why I was late tonight.My dad gave it to her when I was born.We can get you something else if you don’t like this…”
As she lifted her hand, her heart finally settled into place.“It’s beautiful.I’m honored to wear your mom’s ring.”
With his eyes on her, he took out the ring and slipped it on her finger.
“So, are we engaged?”she asked breathlessly lifting her hand to admire the ring.
Getting up, Cooper shrugged off his shirt.Before she realized what he was about to do, he picked her up.“Yes, we are.And now I’m taking my fiancé to bed, I’m done talking.”
“Finally!”She grinned as she put her arms around his neck.
*
Deep in thenight, Cooper opened his eyes.For a moment he was disorientated but he became aware as he inhaled, the scent of wildflowers all around him told him he was next to the person he always wanted by his side—Rose.
The beams from the full moon fell across the bed.Turning on his side, he found Rose with her hands tucked beneath her face, looking at him.
“Hello, beautiful.”With their eyes locked, he slid a hand down her arm.He waited for the question he saw in her eyes.
“What made you change your mind?”
