“Thank God for that,” I mumble.
He rolls his eyes. “I’ve also been thinking about marrying you.”
My heart leaps into my throat. “Seriously?”
“I always have been.”
“I didn’t think you meantnow,” I mutter, toying with his soft, sun-bleached hair.
“It’s my turn to keep you on your toes.” He drags the tip of his nose across mine before laying a path down the front of my body to my center with his mouth.
My blood roars and I think he’s about to keep things going, then he comes back up to my eyes.
“As long as you and I are on the same page, we’ll figure out the rest.”
“Arewe?” I ask him.
He considers me and lifts my hand to his lips. “Yes, stubborn, only I’ve been waiting for you to turn the page.”
I scrunch my nose, and he chuckles, kissing each of my cheeks. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.
“It means I’ve got you.”
I press my lips together, struggling for words.
“I need to hear you say it. Do you believe me?”
I swallow, feeling the weight of his question. “Yes,” I rasp.
“I’ve got you baby, thick or thin. I’ve got you.”
A tear escapes my eye, and I tilt my chin, catching his mouth.
I had to face my insecurities for what they are, and learn that I was never going to be able to do it myself. It’s easier, it’s less risky. The natural lean toindependence can be more detrimental in life than allowing someone to come alongside you and say —I’ve got you.
Chapter 42
Mae
Musicplaysthroughspeakersaround the fairgrounds. Food trucks are scattered throughout, with games and rides off to the left of the large park. Barns sit on our right, full of animals from horses to cattle, goats, rabbits, pigs, and sheep.
“Daddy, I want to go see the rabbits!” Naomi says, tugging his arm.
“We need to get you checked in first,” he says, tugging her towards the arena.
“You alright?” Cooper asks.
“Just taking it all in,” I say.
He smiles and puts his hand on the small of my back while his other holds onto Naomi.
“I know it’s a lot. There’s always something going on. I grew up coming to the fair. They hold a lot of fond memories for me.”
“What did you do?” I ask him.
“Well, we showed cattle as a ranch, then I competed in the rodeo. They have open sign-ups at the beginning. Me, Fletcher, and Ledger would take turns doing roping or steer wrestling. We had a good time.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” I say.
