"I know."
"You didn't say it back."
"I didn't…?"I trail off, staring in shock.Christ, no wonder she left in the middle of the night.She gave me her heart, and like a jackass…I didn't say it back.I made her say it, again and again and again, blown away every single time.I showed her how I felt about her, every way I could show her.I made love to her until we were both in tears.But shedeservedto hear it.
Tears slip down her cheeks, dripping off her chin.The sorrow in her eyes kills me.
I drop to my knees right there by the door, willing to do whatever it takes to convince this beautiful, brilliant woman that my heart beats for her and her alone.
"I knew you were mine before you ever stepped foot on the ranch," I say, my voice soft."Before I ever emailed you the first time, I knew you were meant for me, Cassia.When I saw Hamburger chasing you across the pasture, my heart stopped beating.For the first time since Cam nearly died, I tasted real fear, pretty baby.I thought I was going to lose you before I even had you."
"Cord," she whispers, crying hard.
"I fell in love with your heart long before we met, Cassia.But I fell in love withyouthe minute you looked up at me and told me you were a cattle thief.I've loved you every minute since," I whisper."My heart has never belonged to another, and it never will.It's yours, pretty baby.It always has been.It always will be.I love you."
"Cord," she sobs.For a long moment, she stays rooted in place, and then she's flying across the wooden floor toward me.
I catch her in my arms, dragging her down to me.She burrows into me, her tears soaking my shirt as she cries.I hold her tightly, breathing her in, thanking God she's in my arms again.Fuck, I can't believe I never told her that I love her.
"I'm so sorry, pretty baby," I whisper, tipping her head back to rain kisses across her face."I was so fucking grateful that you were finally on the same page, I didn't realize I never said it back.I'm an asshole."
"You're not," she sniffles.
"I am."
"Maybe a little bit."
"Forgive me," I breathe, pressing my forehead to hers.
"Fine, but I'm still mad at you," she says."I hate crying."
"Tell you what," I whisper, brushing my thumbs beneath her eyes to dry her tears."You be mad while you pack your shit.When we get home, I'll fuck you happy again.Then, I'll get on my knees and beg you to marry me."
Her breath hitches, her doe eyes going wide."M-marry you?"
"Marry me," I say, holding her gaze."I don't give a fuck where we live, pretty baby.I don't give a fuck what kind of cowboys you write or if I breed cows here or in Washington.All I want—all I need—is you."
"I want to stay here," she says."I love your ranch, Cord.I love Hamburger and your family.I love your house and your bed.I even love the stupid woods and the stupid mountain and the stupid curvy roads that lead up the stupid mountain."
"What about your brother?"
"I know you're a cowboy and all," she says, humor in her eyes, "and this may come as a shock to you, but try to stay with me, okay?They make these things called airplanes now.You get on one in one city, and you get off in ano—" She shrieks with laughter when I tip her over backwards.
"You didn't answer my question, smartass," I growl, coming down over her.
"Can I keep Patty?"she asks, wrapping her arms around my neck.
"I already took her off the books."
"Really?"Her eyes light up.
"Mmhmm."
"Then I suppose I'll marry you."
"You're a cheap bride," I mutter, pulling her t-shirt up."Most want a ring.All you cost me was a cow."I don't mention that the cow cost more than most rings.What she doesn't know won't hurt her.Besides, she'll be getting a ring anyway.The biggest one I can find.
"Oh, I want a ring too," she says, lifting up to allow me to yank her t-shirt off over her head."And a horse.Oh, and my own boots.Can I have a whip too?"
