Page 9 of Claimed By the Cowboy
“I’m never living this down, am I?” I say, surprising myself by laughing instead of dying of embarrassment.
“Not a chance in hell,” Henry confirms cheerfully. “Welcome to the family, Klitty.”
The way he says it—with genuine warmth and mischief instead of cruelty—makes something tight in my chest loosen. I’ve spent my whole life blending into the woodwork. But memorable for all the wrong reasons? That’s oddly liberating.
“Could be worse,” I say, grinning at Tom's mortified expression. “At least it wasn’t during a wedding ceremony.”
Tom's blue eyes lock on mine. “Wedding’sh not for a few weeksh yet.”
He’s talking about marrying Delaney, but his gaze is fixed on me.
Dangerous. So dangerous.
Luna meets my eyes briefly, her smile soft and genuine. For a heartbeat, I feel something I haven’t in years—welcome. Like maybe there’s room for me here.
Then I glance at my sister. She stands perfectly composed, polite smile in place, but I know her tells—the tension in her jaw, the way she shifts like she’s ready to bolt.
No one’s ignoring her, not exactly—but she’s not the one being smiled at, spoken to.Seen.
The thought doesn’t comfort me. It makes my stomach twist. Because I shouldn’t be the one feeling like I belong here.
Not when she’ll be wearing Tom’s ring.
Sharing his bed. Having his babies.
That reality makes me grit my teeth.
I catalog every detail of this place that already feels more like home than anywhere I've lived. The golden light through the windows. The peaceful lowing of cattle.
But mostly, I’m aware of Tom beside me, his presence like a warm flame Iwant to move closer to.
I’ve spent twenty-one years being invisible, being the burden, the one who doesn't get chosen. I’m good at staying in the shadows. Safe there.Yet this place makes me want to step out of the shadows.And this man makes me want to step into the light.
The ranch I can handle. My health I can manage. The real danger is how my heart races every time Tom Sutton looks at me like I matter. How his accidental touches make me crave things I’ve never dared want. How this place whispers home when I should be grateful for any shelter.
And that’s dangerous for everyone involved.
Because this is the first time I’ve wanted something that belongs to someone else.
And he’s looking at me like I might be exactly what he’s been searching for.
Chapter 4
Kitty
Dinner with the Sutton family feels like something out of a dream I never dared to have.
Laughter echoes off the walls as stories flow around platters of pot roast and fresh cornbread. Ben Sutton holds court at the head of the table, his weathered hands moving as he spins tales that make everyone chuckle. Henry and Shay beam at each other like newlyweds, while Angus keeps one protective arm draped over Luna’s chair.
This is everything I’ve imagined a real family dinner should be. Warm. Chaotic. Loving.
And I want it so desperately I can barely breathe.
Delaney and I sit on either side of Tom. I try to sink into the background while memorizing every detail. The way Ben’s eyes crinkle when he laughs. How Shay reaches over to squeeze Henry’s hand during quiet moments, the other resting on her pregnant belly. The comfortable way Luna teases Angus about being overprotective.
Tom’s thigh presses against mine under the table, solid heat that makes me hyperaware of every shift, every breath. When he reaches for the butter, his forearm brushes mine, and electricity shoots straight to my core.
This is wrong. He’s here for Delaney, not me.
