“Addison called yesterday,” I said. “She’s acing her pre-vet courses at A&M. Dating some ranch management major. She sounds so happy.”
“Good.” Rhodes stepped down from the ladder. “That kid deserved to find her path.”
“She still calls me every week.”
His laugh rumbled against my chest. God, I loved that sound.
“The cover story worked too,” I said. “Most people in town still think you’re just Dalton’s old college buddy who swept me off my feet. A few close friends know the truth now—that you were assigned as protection and the dating became real. They thought it was romantic.”
“Small-town Texas loves a good love story.”
“Speaking of stories...” I turned to face him. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
His eyebrow quirked. “Yeah?”
“I’ve been living here more than at my place. My stuff’s scattered between two houses, I’m always driving back and forth to grab something I forgot. It’s inefficient.”
“Presley Danforth, are you saying you’re bothered by inefficiency?” His mouth twitched.
“I’m saying...” I took a breath. “Maybe it’s time to make this official and stop keeping one foot out the door.”
He set down the ornament box, turned to face me fully. “Are you asking to move in with me?”
“I don’t know. Am I?”
Something vulnerable and hopeful crossed his expression. He cupped my face in his hands, those blue-gray eyes holding mine.
“I want you here,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “All the time. Officially. Permanently. Your stuff, your mess, you. Stop treating this like a temporary arrangement.”
My breath caught. “You mean it?”
“I mean it.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I love you, Presley. I’m done pretending this is casual or that we’re taking things slow. I want you here. With me. Every damn day.”
The words hit me square in the chest. Tears stung my eyes.
“I love you too,” I whispered, the truth of it overwhelming. “God, Rhodes, I love you so much.”
I’d felt it a thousand times these past months. Every morning when I woke up beside him, every time he made me coffee, every time his hand found mine without thinking. But hearing it out loud—saying it back—felt like falling and being caught all at once.
The kiss was soft and sweet and real. When we pulled apart, we were both smiling.
“So that’s a yes?” he asked.
“That’s a yes.” I laughed through tears. “I’ll start moving my things this week. Maybe turn the bungalow into office space for Crown & Grace like I’ve been considering.”
“Or rent it out. Whatever you want.” He drew me against him. “As long as you’re here.”
We stayed like that for a moment, just breathing together. The afternoon light slanted golden through the windows. Outside, one of the horses whinnied.
“Come on.” Rhodes released me, reached into his pocket and pulled out a small carved wooden ornament shaped like a lasso. “Found this at that craft fair last month. Been waiting for the right moment.”
I took it, running my fingers over the smooth wood. “It’s beautiful.”
“Hang it wherever you want. Your tree now too.”
I found a spot near the center where light would catch it. Our story in miniature—the cowboy and his pageant queen.
“There,” I said, stepping back.
