The realization shook her.
She buried her head in her hand.
What was she going to do now?
#
Ryan arrived at the office just after dawn.
He hadn't slept more than a few winks last night. He'd been trying to figure out how everything had gone from a fun date night, celebrating his college graduation and rife with possibilities, to Ashley accusing him of taking advantage of her parents.
If she'd have thought it through, she would've seen that he'd done it all for her. Wouldn't she?
He finally gave up on sleep and headed to the store. Figured he'd work on the inventory reports due to the accountant later in the month.
He flipped on the office light and sank into the desk chair.
A lesser man might've called in sick today. Truth be told, he'd thought about it. What was he going to do when Ashley came in later? She'd been in every day since she'd returned.
He didn't want to face her, not now. He'd told her he loved her and been slapped down. Accused.
Would she fire him? If she learned the routines, she could run the place easily. What would he do then?
He scrubbed his hands down his face. Sighed.
When he reached to press the power button on the PC, he froze.
There was a plain white envelope lying across the computer keyboard. No name on it.
He picked it up and saw the flap wasn't sealed. What was this?
A single sheet of college-ruled paper slid out easily. He unfolded it to find a handwritten letter in what looked like a child's scrawl. As if a six-year-old had written it. Slanting letters, some falling off their lines.
Dear Cowboy,
His heart pounded in his ears when he read the salutation. He looked over his shoulder, but the hall outside his office was dark, and he couldn't see anyone back there. Everything was quiet.
I thought I could prove my bravery by going to war, but you've fought more battles than I have right here in Redbud Trails.
I thought you were irresponsible and incapable of being serious, but you've proven me wrong.
I thought you were a goofball, and maybe you are, but you're also creative and smart and tenacious and caring.
I never really thought you would steal from my parents. I was afraid.
Because I love you, too.
Will you forgive me?
With love,
Your Soldier Girl
His heart had gone from pounding to overdrive. Adrenaline pumped through his veins so that his hands shook as he folded the letter and slid it back into the envelope.
He had to find Ashley. It was early, and none of the other employees were scheduled to arrive for at least another hour. He could go to her.
He got to his feet.
A noise in the hallway. He turned, and there she was. Hanging back in the darkness, unsure. Was Atlas with her, or was she alone?
"I saw your truck pass the house," she said softly. "Did you read my letter?"
He lifted it so she could see. "I was a little afraid it might be a pink slip."
She winced slightly. "So you"—she cleared her throat—"didn't read it?"
"I read it."
Her hand flexed at her side, the only sign of her agitation. "I read yours, too. Finally. And…I'm sorry."
He couldn't hold back any longer. He rounded his desk and crossed the small office to reach her, then hauled her into his arms, burying his face in the crown of her hair. "I didn't mean to keep anything from you. At first, I barely gave the lease a thought. I'd written to you about it…"
She shook her head, her nose and chin brushing against his chest with the motion. "It doesn't matter. I knew—deep down, I knew that there was no way you were cheating them. After everything you've done…"
Her voice sounded teary, and he tipped her head up. He kissed her deeply, trying to communicate that his feelings hadn't changed. She sighed against his mouth and he ended the kiss, but he couldn't let her go. He placed a kiss on her cheek and held her close, giving them both the chance to catch their breaths.
"Don't misunderstand," he said between pants. "I would've been here for Joe and Mary regardless of your feelings. My dad left a long time ago, and your parents are like family."
She moved back slightly but didn't try to leave his embrace. "I don't know what I'm doing here yet. My dad, he needs a lot of care. And I've missed so much with my mom. I'm still finding out who I am. Even though you…you love me," her voice squeaked on the words, and he kissed her again, kissed her until she was melting in his arms.
He tucked her head beneath his chin. "I love you," he said softly, because his mouth was so close to her ear. "I love you whatever happens. With your dad. With what you decide to do with your life."
He lowered his mouth a minuscule amount closer to her ear. "And I'd really like to hear you say it back to me."
He felt more than saw her smile widen against the side of his jaw. For a moment, he wondered if she would torment him, make him wait, but she whispered, "I love you."
"I liked your letter," he whispered back.
"Good. It took me about as long to write it as it took to read all of yours."
Knowing how difficult it had been for her to write it with her left hand made him treasure the effort even more.
"We don't have to have everything figured out right now," he said against her cheek, slowly making his way back to her lips.
"That sounds like a Ryan thing to say," she murmured, and he kissed her again. She broke away slightly to say, "But I'm game to try."
THE END
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Dear Reader
Dear reader,
Thanks for reading With Love, Cowboy. I hope you enjoyed it!
All reviews are appreciated, whether positive or negative. If you liked this book, you might also like Kissed by a Cowboy, a contemporary romance. Here's a snippet:
Prom night - 12 years ago
Maddox wanted to kill his sister.
Not for the date. He'd met Haley a couple times before, and she seemed all right. Maybe a little shy, but not starstruck like a lot of the other high school kids.
Tonight was supposed to be three or four hours hanging out with Haley and his sister's friends. Home by midnight. No big deal.
But he hadn't counted on the other kids. They followed him around all night until he felt like a celebrity trying to avoid the paparazzi.
About halfway through the evening, he finally spotted a patch of daylight in the crowd and broke into the open field. Out of the decorated banquet room. All the way outside. There was a little church next door with a small playground and he made a beeline for it like he had a linebacker on his tail.
He probably shouldn't have pulled his date out with him. It had been sheer reflex to grab her hand when he'd made his escape.
But now that they were alone, he had second thoughts and dropped her hand. Maybe he should've left her in there with her friends. She was so quiet—it made her seem more mature or something—he kept forgetting she was a year younger than him.
The cool night air felt good against his hot face, but he still couldn't breathe. He loosened his tie, sticking a finger down his collar to try and alleviate the choking sensation.
Everyone's expectations were stifling. Even his mother! He remembered her whispered words before he'd left the house that night. "Just don't get her pregnant—you don't want to ruin your life." How embarrassing, and really, did his own mother not know him better than that? And what about ruining Haley's life? His mom didn't seem to have spared a thought for Haley at all.
He should be used to the pressure. After his dad drank himself to death when Maddox had been fourteen, she'd started calling him man of the house. He'd worked early mornings befo
re practice and into the night, keeping the farm out of bankruptcy after his dad had almost lost it all.
And now that there was a hint of fame on the horizon, his mom had become obsessed with Maddox's football career.
The expectations wore on him.
Football season didn't start for months, but he already felt like he was about to be blitzed.
Read the rest in Kissed by a Cowboy, available now.
If you would like to connect with me or learn about my other books, you can reach me through my website www.lacywilliams.net or www.facebook.com/lacywilliamsbooks. Thanks for reading!
-Lacy
Lacy's Books
Heart of Gold
Marrying Miss Marshal
The Homesteader's Sweetheart
Counterfeit Cowboy
Courted by a Cowboy*
Roping the Wrangler*
Return of the Cowboy Doctor*
The Wrangler's Inconvenient Wife* (August 2014)
A Cowboy for Christmas* (December 2014)
*Wyoming Legacy series
Kissed by a Cowboy
With Love, Cowboy
With Love, Cowboy [Love Letters from Cowboy] Page 7
