Page 10 of Cowboy Bodyguard
I reach into my pocket, and rub my finger over the tiny box inside it. The ring inside is for Lizzie. I can’t allow her to go back to Michigan. I want her with me; forever.
My hand brushes hers as we trade places. It’s my turn to tell about what Joey did to my partner. He’ll finally pay for my friend’s death.
Joey is convicted, and will never see daylight again. I wish this were Texas, so he’d get the death penalty, but I’ll have to be content with him dying in prison. The ringleaders will face court next, including the big boss. After I apprehended the four on my ranch, they gave up the names of the rest. This mess ends with us.
***
Lizzie asks to return to the ranch instead of remaining in the hotel room the Marshalls paid for. I oblige because she’s been through more than anyone should have to. I have called ahead, and asked a favor of Hank. He’s setting up a surprise for my cowgirl.
In the glow of the security lights, I can see that progress has been made on the new barn. The ground is cleared of debris, and the foundation is done. There are walls to be raised when the sun rises on a new day. The cats are roaming over the foundation, seemingly picking out a spot to make their home.
I don’t lead Lizzie to the house. Instead, I take her to the corral behind it. Fairy lights cover the fencing. A table is set for two outside the gate, and our horses are watching us as we approach.
“What’s all this?” Lizzie asks in wonder.
“This is for you,” I say. “Thunder and Blaze want to say thanks for saving them.”
“That’s so sweet. How did they tell you they wanted this?” she asks with laughter in her voice.
“Just like moms can tell the difference in their baby’s cries, I can tell what their neighs mean,” I answer with a straight face. However, the look she gives me has me bursting out laughing.
Thunder adds to the moment by whinnying, and we both crack up.
On the table is a bowl with apples, and we feed them to the appreciative horses, who truly do thank Lizzie by rubbing their heads on her shoulder. She no longer pulls away from them. She’s grown used to their affection, and that of the other animals on the ranch. The animals love her, as do I.
I pull out her chair, and she sits. Her gaze runs over the offerings, which include steak, a salad, and her favorite apple pie. Before she gets busy eating, I fall onto one knee, and begin my proposal.
“My darlin’ cowgirl,” is all I get out before the tears start falling from her beautiful green eyes. “I think I fell in love with you as you stepped out of Dave’s rental car. I know I gave you my heart under the tree at the river. I don’t want it back. I actually need you to keep it safe for me the rest of our lives. Thunder, and Blaze agree with me. You can’t leave. We love you more than life, and would give our own for you. Please, cowgirl, say you’ll marry me, and live here forever.”
“I do love you, Jack. I want to stay; I really do. But, what about my job, and you’re constant risk of death with the U.S. Marshall’s? I’ll be terrified every time you leave,” Lizzie replies.
I know that argument is coming, and I’m ready for it. “I’m already semi-retired from the Marshalls. I’m starting to make a good living off the ranch, so I’ll make the retirement official. The book you are writing is captivating. It’ll get published, I’m sure. That’s how you can make a living, sweet thing. Keep writing, and help me here. We’ve got a charmed life ahead of us. Don’t think about anything else except how we are together. Marry me, baby. Please!”
Lizzie’s eyes light up, and she smiles. I think I’ve convinced her, but I really need to hear her say it out loud. She understands me like no one else, and answers, “Wherever you are is home to me. I love you, cowboy. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
We don’t eat. Instead we head inside for a few hours to seal our love with kisses, and more…. well, you know!
Chapter 12~Epilogue
Five Years Later
Lizzie
“Hold on tight,” Jack tells our son, James. “Kick your feet against the pony’s belly, and he’ll start moving.”
James is four. He is learning to ride the pony Jack bought for his birthday. His giggles, and squeals prove his delight in the choice of present.
Jack is almost as happy as our son seems to be. He glances my way, and laughs when he notices Lily, who’s one and a half, toddling after the cats. Each time she gets her little fingers in their fur, they run away leaving her giggling with a handful of hair.
The ranch is more prosperous than ever. We’ve hired more ranch hands to help us, and added horse breeding to our many duties. They’re multiplying faster than our little family. Although, I have a secret I haven’t shared with Jack yet. We’ll be adding another baby this winter. It’s the consequence of not being able to keep our hands off each other for very long.
I’m happier than I’ve ever imagined possible. I’ve published two books, and they’re best sellers. Now, I’m writing a fiction novel about how Jack, and I met. It’s been long enough for me to get past the horror of what Joey did, and I can guarantee my cowboy’s heroic story will get me lots of sells, especially if he agrees to pose for the cover. No female will be able to resist that ass in a tight pair of jeans.
“Me ride,” Lily states as she tugs on my shirt.
“Okay, baby,” I reply, picking up the red-headed miniature version of me. James looks like his dad, so he’ll be a heartbreaker when he gets older.
“Lily wants a try,” I say as we enter the corral.