Page 74 of Christmas with the Cowgirl
“You think so?”
“You sure as heck motivate me,” she said, grinning.
Her lure worked, and it was some time later before they resumed their planning.
*
Miles didn’t wantto think about how much it had cost her for a charter flight here on Christmas Eve, and now a return flight on Christmas Day afternoon.He was still adjusting to the knowledge that Riley was, in simple terms, beyond rich.In the world he was used to, most women in that position would have trumpeted it, both in demeanor and presentation.But here was Riley dressed as she always was, except for a less worn pair of boots and jeans.
But that was the world he’d been used to.The world he was now leaving behind.Oh, he knew he’d have to come back now and then, but he’d make sure it was as infrequent as possible.Not just because the revival ofStonewallwould be in Last Stand, but because the people of Last Stand were the kind he wanted to spend his time with.
His life with.
When they touched down in Whiskey River, he got a business card from the efficient, genial pilot, thinking this might be the best way to make the trips he couldn’t avoid.It took only a matter of minutes to get to where Riley had left her SUV, even with the three bags he’d packed this trip.There would be a lot more packing and moving to do, but it could wait.He had what he needed now.And he couldn’t help looking at Riley when he thought it.
“I almost forgot,” she said as he was loading in his last bag into the way back.She reached for a box tucked up against the back seat and pulled it toward her.He could see it was new, and saw the subtle label sayingYippee Ki Yay.Then, to his surprise, she turned and handed it to him.
“What’s this?”
She grinned at him.“Jeremy’s idea, but we all voted on it.”
Brow furrowed, he undid the ribbon holding it closed, and lifted the lid.When he saw what was inside, his throat tightened.He looked up at this woman who had remade his life into something more beautiful than he’d ever dared hope for.
“You’ve earned it, my love.”
“I’m not…so sure of that.”
“Would it make you feel better if I told you about half of Last Stand, including a couple of the Highwaters, were in the store to help me pick it out?Believe me, what you’re going to do, makeStonewallreally Texas, convinced any last doubters.Put it on, Flint.”
He reached in and lifted out the pristine cowboy hat, in a sandy-blond color with a darker, narrow hat band.
“Oh, good.It matches your hair as well as I thought it would,” Riley said happily.
Miles felt his ears heat up, and quickly put the hat that was so much more than just a hat on to try and hide it.When he met Riley’s steady gaze again, she was still smiling, but her eyes were sparkling as if wet.As if she were feeling the same tangle of emotions he was.
“Now that fits,” she said softly.
“I love you, Riley.”It was all he could think of to say.But didn’t it say everything?
Then she was in his arms, and he was hanging on to her as if she were the only thing keeping him earthbound.And he thought maybe she was.
He’d never taken more care getting into a vehicle than he did now, with that hat on his head.Just the feel of it made him proud.
As she was about to start the engine her phone chimed.She pulled it out and read a text.It made her smile.She sent a quick answer, and put the phone back in her jacket pocket.Then she looked at him.
“That was Ariel.Chance thinks he’s found our dog.”
Our dog.
It sounded so darned good he couldn’t help grinning at her.She grinned back.
He could see the glint of the late afternoon sun on the Pedernales as they headed for Last Stand.As they got close, Riley gave him a sideways glance.
“Mind if we make a stop?”
“Nope,” he said happily, smiling as he looked out the window.“Anything you want.”And I mean that in all ways.
“It’s just I promised Nic and Jackson…a report.”
