Page 29 of Her Grumpy Cowboy
She’s quiet for a minute before she murmurs, “What are you doing today?”
I press a kiss to her temple.“Going to the ranch house to talk to Christopher.Tell him I’m in.I’ll start with Tyler.He needs something to push against that isn’t his own head.”
Her eyes shine as she looks up at me.“You’re really staying?”
“Yeah.I’m staying,” I say, the truth warm and heavy.“If you’ll have me.”
“I will.”No hesitation.
“Get dressed.”I drop a kiss on her nose.“Then I’ll drive you to work.”
* * *
I drop Angel atMistletoe Mug, checking that the power is back on before heading to Naughty List Ranch.I make the short walk to the main ranch buildings with my head clear and my hands steady, snow packing under my boots.Christopher meets me in the tack room with a lift of his chin and that quiet patience that let me be a kid and a mess and still be welcome.
“I’m in,” I say simply.“I’ll work with the kids who need it.Tyler first.”
Christopher doesn’t smile big.He never does.He nods once as if the ground just got sturdier beneath his feet.“Good.Mary will act like she didn’t know that already.”
“Mary always knows,” I say, and we both huff a laugh.
He pours coffee and looks at me over the rim.“You coming to the bonfire on Saturday?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.I’ve got a reason to stand still, finally.”
“Would that reason have blonde hair and a thing for shortcake lattes?”Christopher asks, eyes glinting.
I smirk.“Might.”
“Uh-huh.”He sets his cup down, brushing a bit of hay off his jacket.“Well, good.Mary says she’s got the two of you pegged already.”
“Of course she does.”
He snorts.“She’s already planning your wedding menu.”
That gets a genuine laugh out of me because, well, I don’t hate the sound of that.
“We’ll be there Saturday,” I say again, quieter this time.
Christopher nods, satisfied.“Good.You belong here, Grady.Always did.Took you long enough to figure it out.”
When I step back outside, my phone buzzes.
Angel:Mary wants to do cookie kits at the Mug this afternoon for kids stuck in town—can we rope Tyler into helping?
On my way,I text.Tell Mary I’m bringing muscle.
My life’s been made of exits.But now I’m staying.On purpose.For good.For her.
Because she doesn’t just feel like home.Sheishome.
Chapter9
Angel
The residents of Silver Bell Hollow show up even when the weather dares them to stay home.By noon, theMistletoe Mugis a riot of color and sugar—Mary at a card table like a benevolent cookie warlord, Jamie hauling in a second folding table because the first one is full, kids in knitted hats arguing about whether snowmen need eyebrows.The snow keeps settling outside windows, and the town keeps ignoring it.
Grady walks in with a blast of cold.Tyler is behind him, chin set like a dare and hair damp from snow.He’s carrying a milk crate of staples and a staple gun.My heart does what it always does now when I see Grady—stumbles, then steadies, like it can’t decide whether to rest or race toward him.
