Grand-Prize Cowboy

by Heatherly Bell

  Even if those comments had thrown Sofia, she handed over her portfolio. “These are some of my ideas. You might remember that I received my fashion design degree from Montana State. I would really love your input.”

  Considering it had taken Sofia three years to come up with the nerve to share her work with Alexis, this was a watershed moment. Do or die. She reminded herself that Alexis wasn’t the only person she respected in this field. If Alexis didn’t appreciate Sofia’s work, there were other contacts. But at least she’d taken the first in possibly a long line of steps. Her fingers trembled with anticipation. In a few minutes, she would know whether Alexis believed that she had any kind of talent.

  Alexis pulled out the first sketch, briefly glanced at it, then suddenly stood up. “Are you not happy here? I don’t want to lose you, Sofia! You’re my best stylist.”

  “What? No, I love it here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Alexis went hand over heart. “Oh. Okay. Thank you.”

  “So, what do you think?”

  She sat, pulled out a few more sketches, and looked them over. “You have a real eye, that’s for sure. I’m not at all surprised. If you’d like to someday design for one of the lines, well, I have some contacts for you to get started. It might take a while, because it’s a tough business, as you know, but it’s a start.”

  “Thank you, Alexis. That’s all I can ask of you. It means a lot to me.”

  “Of course, honey.”

  She wanted to text Boone immediately and tell him what she’d done. She felt nearly giddy with excitement. But this was something she should tell him in person, maybe over a bottle of champagne.

  A while later, Sofia stood behind the counter counting the day’s receipts when her phone buzzed.

  Let’s go away for the weekend. How about next weekend we go to Telluride, Colorado? I want to spoil you.

  Could this day possibly get any better? First, her new tires. Next, her praise from Alexis, setting her on a path toward her dream. Now Boone wanted to spoil her. She felt like the luckiest woman alive today.

  Take me away, cowboy. I’m yours.

  She couldn’t wait to go away with him, some place where they could be alone all weekend, trapped inside like they’d been on Sunday. No one would have ever guessed she’d fall so deeply for someone who was different from her, but on the other hand exactly like her.

  She said goodbye to Alexis, who promised to update her, and headed to her car. Shoppers were out in force today, so she’d had to park a block away from the boutique. As she walked, up ahead in the distance she spotted the back of Boone’s head as he entered Beaumont and Rossi’s, the premier jewelry shop in Bronco Heights. It was the same place where Sofia had helped Jordan choose the honker of an engagement ring he’d given Camilla last year.

  Suddenly, Sofia couldn’t breathe. And then she started breathing too much. Of course, he might be getting her a tennis bracelet or something fun like that. Surely that was it. She was getting way ahead of herself. He’d already asked to take her away for the weekend. To spoil her. So it could be just a little sentimental gift. Nothing huge and life-changing like an engagement ring.

  She texted Boone, knowing he’d be honest:

  What are you doing right now?

  His answer came a few seconds later:

  Can’t tell you, it’s a big surprise.

  She took in a few deep breaths, telling herself it didn’t have to mean a marriage proposal.

  Are you still coming by later for dinner?

  She replied that she’d rather go out, suggesting DJ’s Deluxe, which was practically their hangout. Sofia didn’t think Boone would ask her to marry him in such a public place. That’s probably why he’d made the reservations to go away together.

  Surely he wouldn’t... No. He wouldn’t ask her to marry him, right? They’d already been over this, and he’d listened when she wanted to slow down, take her time. But a thought gnawed at her brain that everything was different now. They’d fallen in love. Love did extraordinary things to people, as she’d already seen with Jordan and Camilla.

  Sofia was finally on her way to her dream, and marriage and children didn’t fit in. Not now, and maybe not for a long time. She couldn’t possibly get married now, but she also couldn’t say no to Boone. That would really hurt him. She couldn’t say no and still keep him. And she wanted to keep him. So she had to figure out a way she could.

  For now, that meant she’d have to make excuses for why she couldn’t go away next weekend.

  * * *

  Boone tucked his phone away and went back to the diamond rings that the owner had set out. This was the place where both Morgan and Holt had picked out their rings, so he knew they would have what he was looking for. A bright and shiny bling for the woman who’d stolen his heart. He’d already made the reservations next weekend at a five-star resort. The plan was to pop the question there on bended knee.

  “May I ask who the lucky lady is?” The salesclerk was an older woman with graying hair and kind eyes.

  He appreciated the vibe she gave off, like someone that could be trusted. Since he was about to make the most important decisions of his life, he wanted someone calm who could assure his racing heart that he was going to find and buy the perfect ring for the perfect woman.

  “If you can be discreet.”

  The clerk went hand to chest as if she’d been injured. “I’m almost offended. This kind of information is top-secret around here.”

  “Okay, well, it’s Sofia Sanchez. Do you know her? Do you know what she’d like?”

  Maybe Boone should ask Camilla. He wanted to get the perfect ring, but he also wanted to get something unique. Special, just as she was. One of a kind.

  “Of course I know Sofia.” The clerk held up her finger and dived into another box. She opened it with a flourish. “These are some of the flashiest rings we have.”

  But they were all large and gaudy. Apparently, the clerk didn’t see Sofia the way he did. He couldn’t see her wearing anything quite that...artless, in his opinion. The clerk kept bringing out boxes, noting carefully that each one was more expensive than the other, until he told her he lived at Dalton’s Grange. After that, she didn’t hold back. It took him several more minutes, but he found the ring. A two-carat solitaire diamond, surrounded by smaller encased stones: emerald, ruby and sapphire. Perfect for Sofia. Plenty of vibrant color for the woman who meant everything to him.

  “This is the one.” Boone paid and palmed the ring box into his leather jacket pocket.

  He didn’t know how he was going to resist giving it to her immediately, but he wanted the moment to be perfect. So he’d have to be patient. Next weekend couldn’t come soon enough. Next week would arrive wrapped in possibilities. He’d make sure that she always remembered the moment he asked her to be his forever.

  Boone drove home, amazed once more that his brothers’ stupid prank had resulted in him finding true love like this. Not just a good time. Not just a beautiful woman to hang out with. He’d certainly had the last laugh. Thank God he’d gone into the store and met her, instead of brushing it all off as a mistake.

  He stopped in at the family house to see his mother. She’d not so subtly indicated to him after Sunday’s dinner that she was impressed with Sofia. That he’d better straighten up his act, fly right and keep that treasure. And he intended to do just that.

  He found her sitting before a crackling fire, a book on her lap. “Dinner should be ready in another hour.”

  “Thanks, but I didn’t come by for that. I’m having dinner with Sofia.”

  She shut the book. “What’s going on? I can see it’s something huge.”

  His mother had always been able to read him. “How do you feel about having another daughter-in-law?”

  “Boone!” She stood. “Are you serious?”

  “I’ve never felt like
this before. Yeah, I’m sure. She’s it for me.” His mother’s eyes glistened with tears and he reached for her hand. “Wow, Mom, please don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry, honey. They’re happy tears.” She swiped at them as they ran down her cheeks. “I honestly never thought...you...”

  “What?”

  “I thought we’d ruined you for marriage, all of you boys. But I was especially worried about you. You’ve always been the peacekeeper in our family, and you had a lot of peace to make in those earlier years. Maybe I should have left your father then, I don’t know, but I loved him. That’s not so easy to walk away from. I had faith in him and hung in there.”

  “I don’t know of anyone else who would have.”

  “You’re right. It’s rare to find unconditional love like what I feel for him.” She went hand to heart. “He’s my heart.”

  That’s all Boone had ever wanted. To be the heart of a woman the way Neal was for his mother.

  “You’re a hell of a woman and a good example to me of love.”

  “Whatever you do, hang on to her. Never give up.”

  “She has to say yes, but I’ll always put her first. Always. I know that Sofia wouldn’t tolerate anything less than that.”

  Neal walked in then, his brow furrowed. He immediately came to his wife’s side, rubbing her back. “What’s this? Why are you crying?”

  “Boone is going to propose,” she replied.

  “To Sofia? Well, well, that’s something.” He turned to Boone. “That’s pretty fast.”

  “I just know,” Boone said. “I’m ready for the first time in my life.”

  “And she’s on the same page?” Neal asked.

  “Who would say no to one of our boys?” his mother said.

  “No one, I hope. If they know what’s good for them. But there’s no better man than Boone.”

  For the first time in a while, Boone felt that Neal’s support was given without expecting anything in return. Not buying his forgiveness.

  “Thanks, Dad.” He met Neal’s eyes, and something nameless clicked into place.

  Boone wouldn’t call it forgiveness, but a quiet type of understanding passed between them. They were both now men who’d experienced finding their soul mate, their true love, the one woman who’d changed them forever. A good thing to have in common with his father.

  And Boone found this to be as good a place as any to start forgiving.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Boone arrived early to DJ’s Deluxe and waited outside the entryway for Sofia. He’d rarely been this excited about life. The closest to this feeling might have been the time years ago when he’d retrained a horse that wound up winning in the National Rodeo. Loving Sofia had infused him with a jolt of energy.

  All his plans for their life together played like a movie in his mind. In the past, he’d had an idealized version of the perfect wife. He’d realized lately that he’d always imagined himself marrying a woman not all that different from his mom—a woman who put home and family first. But he’d fallen hard for Sofia and had to admit that one of the main reasons was her passion for her work. He’d never ask her to give up her dream for him.

  When she arrived, he hauled her into his arms, stepped to the side for privacy, and kissed her until he could feel the pattern of her breathing change.

  “Oh, Boone. I missed you.”

  “Missed you, too.” He trailed kisses down the column of her neck.

  Taking her hand, he led her inside to see that DJ was already there to greet them. He clapped Boone on the back. “Haven’t seen you two for a while. How are my favorite customers?”

  “Favorite? How about regular?” Sofia laughed.

  “I’m going to tell your sister you like my restaurant better than hers.” DJ laughed as he walked them to their usual table.

  “Don’t you dare,” Sofia said. “You’re just closer to the boutique, that’s all.”

  “Sure, sure,” DJ said. “Admit it. No one can resist my potato skins.”

  “I had some not long ago at the Library, and let’s just say you have some stiff competition, mister. Don’t get cocky.”

  Sofia sat at their small table for two and as usual, Boone pulled up the chair close.

  Not surprisingly, they were interrupted a few times by Sofia’s friends, since she seemed to know everybody. Boone had already met more people through her than he had in the two years he’d been in Bronco. Brittany Brandt Dubois with her husband, Daniel, and their little girl, Hailey, stopped by on their way out. They were followed by Cassidy Ware and Brandon Taylor, whom Boone finally met for the first time. He had nothing to worry about in the way of an old boyfriend coming back around, because Brandon couldn’t take his eyes off Cassidy. Not that Boone had been at all concerned, but it was still good to see.

  Their waitress came and took their orders and then they were finally alone.

  “You know I love you, right?” Sofia said, giving him a small smile. “No matter what happens?”

  “I would hope so. Why?” He narrowed his eyes, wondering where this would lead.

  She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Because I can’t go away with you next weekend. I’m sorry but I forgot that I have a previous commitment. With Camilla.”

  “No problem. I’ll just reschedule. How about the following weekend?”

  “Um, yes, sure. I guess.” She bit her fingernail, something he’d never seen her do, and a jolt of nameless alarm swept through him. Something was wrong. “I’ll check with Alexis and see if that weekend is clear. She relies on me, you know. It’s getting close to the holidays.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  She pulled at her hair with her free hand. “There are a lot of personal stylings that go on for the huge holiday parties. The Association’s holiday gala, that sort of thing.”

  That damn Association. Just the name irked him, and the way they’d denied his family membership.

  “Doesn’t Alexis have other help?”

  “Yes, sure. She just prefers me.”

  Boone was fast losing his appetite. He could literally feel his shoulder muscles clench. “So do I. And it almost sounds like you’re avoiding going away together.”

  Clearly, she didn’t want to go away with him. She was making one lame excuse after the other. He couldn’t understand what had happened, when and why she’d decided to pull back.

  She let go of his hand. “Oh, guess what happened? I finally showed Alexis my portfolio, and she said she’d put me in touch with one of the designers she knows.”

  She’d circumvented his last statement with true skill. “Baby, that’s so great. I’m happy for you.”

  She brightened. “It was easier than I thought it would be to ask for her opinion. I was worried she’d hate my designs.”

  “I’m surprised. You’re always so confident.”

  “Well, sure, but this is so important to me. It’s been a dream my whole life.”

  While he understood and encouraged her dream, he couldn’t lie. He didn’t love that her career seemed far more important to her than he did. He’d been supportive, and that would never stop, but he wanted to be a priority to her.

  Just as she was for him.

  “Tell me more about that dream.” He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tightness there.

  “I’ve already told you.”

  “Not in much detail. You mentioned a trip to New York City someday. I obviously know that you like your job. I’ve seen your designs and I know you’re talented.”

  “I’ve worked so hard for this. I put myself through school at Montana State in the fashion design program. Got straight As. I’ve worked for Alexis since right after I got out of college. I’m always the first one at work and the last one to leave. I style all her best customers. I volunteer for the jobs no one else wants to do, like rea
ding a hundred entries for the makeover contest. Alexis finds me indispensable. I figured that after I worked at the boutique for a few years, I could make contacts and find a way to get my designs into the hands of someone who could take me to that next level.”

  Boone swallowed. “The next level?”

  “My own design label. It would be like having my own business. Vera Wang, Valentino, they all started that way. That’s why it was so important to show Alexis my designs. To let her know I’m serious about this.” Sofia spoke to him from under hooded lids.

  He ran a hand down his face. His future plans were falling apart before they even got off the ground. His stomach rock hard, there would be no meal for him tonight. Even though he loved his work as a wrangler, and working with traumatized horses, he’d be willing to put Sofia first in everything. That happened when you really loved someone. But the feeling clearly wasn’t mutual. And he was an idiot.

  “Interesting how I’m not in any of your future plans. Us.”

  “That’s not fair. Of course you are. I mean, you will be.” She cleared her throat and bit her lower lip. “I’m just not ready for any of this. I love you, but I’m not...ready. For everything you seem to want. Marriage, children. I’m... Look, I think we should take a little break. I’m going to be busy these next few months, through the holidays. Not to mention that if I get any real interest in my designs, I’m going to have to put in a lot more hours of work on that end.”

  “You want to take a break. Now.”

  Sofia tapped her fingernails on the table and wouldn’t look at him. “Just a little one.”

  Boone’s heart beat hard enough to feel it in his eyes. This was all slipping away from him. She was slipping away. He couldn’t help but think that if Sofia knew how serious he was about the two of them, she wouldn’t want a break. Maybe she wasn’t ready for a romance when she didn’t know where this would lead in the end, but she’d appreciate the comfort and security of having a husband. Someone in her corner.

  Yeah, he could do this.

  This wasn’t the way he’d wanted his proposal to go, and he’d left the ring at home, but a little spontaneity never killed anyone. He wasn’t going to lose her without a fight.