Page 28 of Cowhand Crush
“Lead the way,” he said. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”
I took Bowen to my room. He started unloading clothes from my closet while I went through my dresser drawers. A few minutes later, I heard Dad’s voice ring out with a firm command.
“Avery, Bowen. Come out here. I’d like to speak with you.” A pause lingered in the air before he added begrudgingly, “Please.”
Definitely Birdie’s handiwork. She was prodding him into some semblance of decency.
I glanced at Bowen. He took my hand, brushing his knuckles against my cheek.
“Let’s go see what this is about,” he said. “And if it starts turning into an argument, I’ll pull you out. All right?”
I smiled up at him.
“Have you told you lately how much I love you?”
“Believe me, I will never get tired of hearing it.”
Bowen and I found Dad in the living room, standing by the massive fireplace. Birdie perched on the chair next to him. She tugged on his sleeve when we appeared. Dad turned around and his gaze immediately fell to our joined hands. He cleared his throat.
“So, I guess this means your decision is final.”
“Yes, it does,” I replied.
Dad faltered, scrubbing the back of his neck.
“Go on,” Birdie prompted.
He sighed, but I could see the fondness in his eyes when he looked at her. She might have worn him down, but he still adored her for it.
“Avery, Bowen, you both know me very well. I’m an old dog, set in my ways. It’s damn difficult to teach me new tricks. But…” He inhaled a breath and blew it out. “It’s not impossible. I thought I would never marry again after my divorce, and then Birdie came along and proved me wrong.”
She smiled sweetly at him. He cupped her chin for a moment, sweeping his thumb over her lower lip.
“It seems I’m learning another lesson now,” Dad continued. “There’s no reason why you should move out.”
“If you tell me I can’t be with Bowen—”
Dad held up his hand.
“No, I’m not saying that. I…will admit that I need time to get used to it. But I won’t forbid you from being together.”
Relief washed over me. I swayed where I stood, closing my eyes as I rested my cheek against Bowen’s shoulder.
“Avery, you were always supposed to take over the ranch someday,” Dad went on. “It makes sense that you have someone by your side who knows how to run the place just as well as you do. And Bowen, you don't have to worry about the cops asking questions about that stunt you pulled in town. I called in a favor. No one will say a peep about it."
“Why the change of heart?” I asked. “Earlier today, you said that Bowen was too old for me.”
He made a noise of dismay.
“I’m still not exactly thrilled at the age difference between you two. And I certainly don’t appreciate how all this came about. Bowen, I would have preferred it if you were more honest with me about your feelings toward my daughter.”
“Yes, sir,” Bowen replied.
“And Avery, I would have preferred to welcome Bowen into the family properly—maybe invite him to dinner—instead of finding the two of you—”
He broke off with an uncomfortable wave of his hand.
“In bed together?” I offered.