Page 31 of Chance (Wild River Ranch #3)

J oy’s first thought when she awoke to the soft glow of the light filling the room was, once again, she was in heaven. Glancing to the left, she gazed at the peaceful face of the cowboy angel sleeping beside her and knew her first thought was true. She hadn’t died, but she was absolutely in heaven.

She thought back on the tragic events of the month before, sad that the life of Detective James had been so much less than it could have been.

One good thing that had happened as a result was that Eddie’s case had been given to an honest detective who had arrested Eddie after viewing the photograph and hearing her story.

It looked like Eddie was going away for a very long time.

With a sigh, she tried to slip out of bed without waking Chance. She should have known it was a wasted effort. Slipping an arm underneath her waist, he pulled her across the bed to spoon him. "And where do you think you're going, little gypsy?"

"I thought I was going to get my Daddy a tray and some of Ruby's yummy biscuits and honey, so we could eat in bed."

With a grin, he opened his eyes, the sunset blue of them stealing her breath. Grinning, he said, "It’s funny you should say that. I was also thinking of eating in bed this morning. But I’ll find my honey without leaving the bed."

You’d think after waking up with him every morning for the past three weeks, she would be used to his pillow talk. The blush heating her cheeks clearly stated you would be wrong. "That's not exactly the honey I was talking about, Daddy."

Rolling on top of her, he slid down on the bed, meeting her eyes before he disappeared beneath the covers. "I don't see why this has to be an either-or situation. Do you remember what I told you would happen the next time you snuck out without giving me my treat first thing in the morning?"

Oh, she remembered all right. She couldn’t meet anyone else in the family in the eye for three whole days. He said some of the wickedest things sometimes. “Daddy, you wouldn't really kiss my princess parts in the kitchen, would you?"

"Gypsy, I will take my treat wherever I find it. If you don't want me eatin’ in front of the others, you should make sure I find my treat in our bed."

Later that morning, after Chance had finished his treat and she had a treat of her own, she snuggled against him.

“I love you, babygirl. Yesterday, when I realized your tracker wasn’t attached to your anklet, I had a vision of what my life was like before I met you. I would have told you I was happy, but that’s only because I didn’t know what real happiness was until I met you.”

Her heart melted with his words. He was indeed her cowboy angel. “I love you, too, Daddy. You’ve given me a family and a home. I never thought I’d have either. There is nothing more I’ll ever need.”

Reaching across her, he pulled out a small box wrapped in glossy red paper. “Well, I guess I’ll have to return this then.”

“For me? Why? I mean, what’s the occasion? ”

“Well, I know we have a room for almost everything in this house. But it occurred to me something was missing.”

“If that’s true, I have no idea what it could be. There’s a theatre and bowling room, and you can skate downstairs in the basement. Um… roller skate. Kenzie, Tildi, and I go down there sometimes. Kenzie’s the one who figured out it was the place to roller skate.”

Her pussy fluttered at the stern look he gave her. “I’m filing that away for future discussion, little girl. And I’ll want to see the skating area. But this thing is something that isn’t in the house, or wasn’t. I had it done just for you.”

Now he really had her interest piqued. “Can I see it?”

“Yes, Gypsy. I’m excited for you to see it, too. But first you have to open your present here.”

The moment he placed it in her hand, she ripped the paper off and opened the box. Inside, she found a single gold key.

“What is it a key to?” she asked.

“I’m glad you asked, Gypsy. Put on your robe and come with me.”

Excitement strummed through her. She made a thousand guesses as the walked to an area of the lodge she’d never explored. It was above the garage, and had it’s own private entrance.

“You mean I can go in and out of the lodge now without anyone knowing?”

Chance raised a brow. “No, that is not what it means. Would you like to see inside?”

She clapped her hand, bouncing on her toes. No one had gotten her anything but the most practical gifts before. She’d certainly never been given a whole room.

“Well, you are holdin’ the key, babygirl. I’ll help you through the door, so you can keep your eyes closed. I’ll tell you when to open them.”

“So mysterious!” she said. It thrilled her heart that he would do to such trouble for her. He’d have to be careful, or she’d get spoiled. Okay, so that ship had probably already sailed, but still.

“Close your eyes, little girl.”

She did as she was told. Something about the room spoke to her before she even opened her eyes. “Can I open them now, Daddy? Please. I want to see what it is!”

He led her several steps into the room. “Okay, babygirl. On the count of three. One. Two. Three!”

She opened her eyes, and for a second, she thought her brain must have short-circuited. Her heart soared as she tried to process what she was looking at. She had no words.

He’d gone to… well, she couldn’t imagine the lengths he’d gone to.

She couldn’t believe it. He built her a photography studio. But not just any photography studio.

Spinning to face him, she said, “You brought my photograph studio all the way from Nameless?”

She walked through her studio. Every piece of the business she’d adored. The one she’d built over years of collecting exactly the right thing, from the cameras to the props, to the bed, and even the pictures she’d had hanging on the wall.

Her life, the best, most important part of her life, before she’d met him. The life she’d willingly left behind to stay with him. Somehow, he’d given it all back to her.

She threw herself into his arms. She’d never understood the tears of happiness thing until now. She was bawling like a baby.

“I never said anything. I didn’t even tell you where it was. How? How did you do this?”

He sat in an open-sided settee and pulled her into his lap, rocking her until she calmed down. “I love you so much, Daddy. You are the most wonderful person I’ve ever met. I’m so excited to live the rest of my life with you.”

“Me, too, babygirl. This room doesn’t come close to giving you all that you have given me. Now, at the risk of sparking more tears, I wanted you to see this. This is for you to decide. I took the first step for you, but I only want this for you if you want it.”

She took the envelope he held out to her and opened it. It held two official-looking papers, a business license for Smile, Beautiful of Wilder, and a marriage license. Her wide eyes shot to his.

“No rush on that second one. We can fill in the date when you’re ready. I just wanted you to know what I mean when I say forever.”

He held her close. “All my heart, little one.”

She held him closer. “All my soul, Daddy.”

Forever.

THE END

I hope you enjoyed CHANCE and thank you for reading my book.