Kissed by a Cowboy 1 & 2: Sweet Cowboy Romance (Redbud Trails)
Page 15
She just didn't think she could step foot on it.
"What if something happens while we're gone?"
Maddox smiled patiently at her. "What if nothing happens?"
"Elijah—"
"Is fine," he countered.
They'd left both Livy and Elijah with Ryan and Ashley last night in preparation for this early-morning flight.
"It's four days," her husband said. "Elijah and Livy will survive. And so will you."
How could he be so sure?
Passengers started trickling past the gate attendant and then disappearing down the jet bridge.
"We've come all the way," he coaxed. "You've planned and over-planned for the entire trip."
She might've gone a little overboard. She'd written a daily schedule for Elijah for each of the four days they'd be gone. And color-coded it.
And if Ashley didn't stick to the schedule, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Elijah was a happy, healthy baby. Four days of eating a little off-schedule and not sleeping enough wouldn't damage him.
Probably.
Over the past six months, she'd opened up to Maddox and her support group about the challenges—and wins—of caring for her son. Just talking about her fears had minimized most of them. She'd also had several appointments with a therapist and learned some coping techniques to help her deal with the more pervasive irrational fears—like that she'd accidentally bump the soft spot on his head or that they'd be in a car accident or that she'd drop him after his bath.
She knew her brand of mom-crazy was rearing its head right now. But she hadn't been away from Livy on an overnight trip in years. And she'd never been away from Elijah for more than a few hours.
Maddox leaned close to murmur in her ear. "Think about the couples massage we booked. And the beach, just waiting for you to arrive with your book in hand." He kissed the spot behind her ear. "And the great big king-size bed."
He was right. She needed to unplug, even if it felt painful at just this moment.
Clutching her ticket and passport in one hand and her husband in the other, she tugged him toward the gate attendant. "Come on, honey. Our vacation is waiting."
"That's my girl."
She was. Forever Maddox's girl.
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Enjoy this sneak peek from Book 2 in the Heart of Oklahoma series
She just had to figure out what to do with her life now. Before her injury, she'd thought she would be career military. That dream had disappeared with her arm. In combat situations, her amputation prevented her from both carrying a weapon and controlling her dog—and she refused to put her partner in danger. So here she was.
Back home, where everything had started.
She and Atlas were on the emergency exit row, so he'd have more room at her feet. As a MWD, he was allowed in the cabin. But he was retired now, like her. Discharged because he'd lost hearing in his injured ear.
At least she'd been allowed to keep him. He'd been a big part of her life for the last several years. They'd trained together, been at war together. Those kinds of things bonded you. And... almost dying together? They were linked, that was for sure.
The seatbelt light blinked off, and it took twice as long to unbuckle her belt with only one hand to release the mechanism. She stood, and took care to settle her carryon bag over her shoulder and adjust the strap before she picked up Atlas's leash and moved into the aisle. If it started to ride down her arm, she would have to completely stop and settle the dog before she could fix it. Limitations.
In the terminal, passengers streamed along in an unchoreographed dance. Businessmen in suits with rolling luggage. Soccer moms trying to corral their kids. Young people with backpacks slung over their shoulders. None paying a bit of attention to the returning veteran.
Until Ashley stepped out of the secured passenger area and into the public terminal. A crowd had gathered around. Several people were waving flags. She wasn't three feet beyond security when they started clapping and whistling. Her face flared hot. Her hand tensed on Atlas's leash, and he looked back at her, waiting for instructions, just like always. Asking her with those warm brown eyes if this was a situation they needed to control.
She reassured him with a smile. This wasn't dangerous—not in the way he understood danger, anyway.
In front of the crowd was a tall figure holding a handmade sign written on poster board that read, "Welcome home, Ashley" and was signed "Love, Cowboy." Her heart sped up for one intense moment. But the incorrigible grin and dancing eyes beneath his brown Stetson made it hard to believe anything Ryan Michaels said—or wrote.
She spared a thought for the packet of letters she'd tied with a ribbon and stowed at the bottom of her bag. Unopened.
She should've known he was behind this fanfare. Her parents never would've done something like this.
Her feet moved toward him on autopilot, Atlas at her side. She was still scanning the gathered crowd for her parents when she reached him.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" She almost had to shout to be heard over the still-applauding group.
A shadow shifted behind his expressive brown eyes. Blond curls peeked from beneath his hat. "They sent me to get you."
It wasn't the whole story. But maybe now wasn't the time to push for answers, not with all these people watching.
And chanting.
Chanting?
It started low, with only one or two voices calling out, but then the crowd picked up the refrain and the hum became audible.
"Kiss her! Kiss her!"
Ash's face flamed even hotter—burning like the hot sands in the desert where she'd been stationed.
"Don't you dare," she growled at Ryan.
The shouting might've drowned out her voice, but she would bet he could read her lips. He grinned and shrugged, affecting a what can you do? air. He stepped closer, and Atlas looked up at her again, probably confused by her uncertain body language.
She used a hand command to make the dog sit but the moment of lost focus meant that Ryan was that much closer when she looked back up at him.
"Kiss her! Kiss her!"
His hands came to rest gently on her hips. She held up her arm to fend him off, lips parted to protest, and that's when he did it.
Kissed her.
Right there in public.
His lips were cool, and she felt the very faint scrape of stubble when his chin rubbed against hers. His Stetson brushed the top of her hair, and he smelled so good—like man and leather and cowboy...
He smelled so good that for a moment, she got lost in the kiss. Somehow her hand tangled up in his shirt—she hadn't really clenched her fist to hold him there, had she?
And then he was looking down on her, his brown eyes dancing.
Though she couldn't hear him over the cheers and wolf whistles of the crowd, she saw his lips move. "You wanna get out of here?"
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