Page 66 of Unforgettable Cowboy
He laughed and wrapped her in his arms.“We’re perfect, Bailey.”
“Green slime and all?”
“Green slime and all.”
Epilogue
The winter thatswept down from the north at the end of December proved to be one of Montana’s finest, with high winds, freezing temps, deep snow and a persistent refusal to allow the sun to shine for more than one day in a row.Bailey loved every minute of it, temporarily cocooned as she was on the Tree Fork Ranch with Hayes.
Her trailer had significantly more miles on it than it had when she left Marietta the previous September.Hayes had helped with a good deal of the mileage, thanks to his brothers taking turns on the ranch, leaving him free to travel to some of Bailey’s shows with her.He’d become adept at setting up and breaking down the exhibits and had become friends with the people who frequented the same shows as Bailey.His puppy, Lucille, was a hit at the shows that she was allowed to go to, and Storm had become Lucille’s mother figure.The two were as inseparable as Bailey and Hayes had become.
“Are you sure thatI’mnot taking overyourlife?”she’d asked him as they’d traveled home from her last event of the season, just prior to the winter taking hold.
He gave her a raised-eyebrow look that said,“Yeah, right.”Answer enough.
They’d had their moments as Bailey wrestled her demons into submission, but every battle left her a little stronger and a lot closer to the man she loved.
Would she ever get enough of him?
“Did you hear from Trev?”she asked as Hayes closed the laptop.They were supposed to leave for Havre in a week’s time and it was still touch and go as to whether Trev would be able to take over ranch duties.
“He finally got his PTO approved along with some unpaid leave, so he can be here through calving season, then Jordan will take over until the end of the semester.”
A wave of relief went through her.“You have good brothers.”
“Yeah.”Hayes smiled slowly.“I’ll keep that on the down low.If their heads swell, then their hats won’t fit.”
“Right.”Bailey crossed the room to take the computer off his lap and set it on the sofa beside him.He tugged her down to take its place, wrapping his arms around her.Lucille immediately poked him with her nose, and Storm jumped onto the couch to curl up against Bailey’s backside.
His arms tightened around her.“I can’t believe I’m trying to become a computer cowboy.It’s so…”
“Potentially less dangerous than riding broncs?”
“Only if I avoid lightning storms.”
When Hayes had spoken of finding a career last fall, she’d assumed he’d go for something along the journeyman lines.He surprised her by telling her that he’d been accepted to Montana State University North where he planned to study Agricultural Operations Technology, integrating computer science into ranching.After a brief period of consideration, she surprised him by saying that she was going, too.Her career was portable, and she didn’t want to be without him.He hadn’t fought her decision, not even a little bit.
“Am I too old to be a student?”
Bailey pushed herself upright and looked Hayes in the eye.“No.You’re too old to ride broncs.I want you to practice saying that until you get it right.Student, yes.Broncs, no.”She had no issue with his rodeo career, but he’d ridden for over fifteen years.It was time to give his body a rest.
“Got it.”His lips curved up as he spoke.“And you’re right about my brothers, I couldn’t do this without them.I owe them.”
The Parkers had not returned in late October as planned, having concluded that ranch work was too strenuous for a guy with eight pins in his back, meaning that Wade needed reliable help.Thankfully, upon hearing that Vera Parker wouldn’t be taking over the household duties, Estelle had decided to remain in the position of housekeeper.Bailey was of the opinion that she and Wade secretly loved their mini battles.Wade certainly hadn’t complained about his nemesis staying on.
“I’m sure you’ll return the favor to them.”
Hayes made a noncommittal sound and Bailey took his chin in her hand, gently turning his head so that he looked directly at her.It was obvious that he, the man who rode outlaw broncs without a second thought, was a bit intimidated at the thought of going to college for the first time.And that kind of melted her heart.
“I know it sucks to have to ask for help, but that’s what family is for.And for the record, I think computer cowboys are sexy.”
The corners of his eyes crinkled.“But are they dangerous?”
“Only to my hormones.”
He growled, but it turned into a laugh.Bailey eased away to dig into her front pocket.Time for a distraction.
“What do you have there?”he asked in the voice that always made her want to relieve him of his britches.She held up a sterling ring with an inlaid gold pattern.
