Page 4 of Claimed by the Cowboy (Havenstone: Mail Order Brides #3)

Kitty

Dinner with the Sutton family feels like something out of a dream I never dared to have.

Laughter echoes off the walls as stories flow around platters of pot roast and fresh cornbread.

Ben Sutton holds court at the head of the table, his weathered hands moving as he spins tales that make everyone chuckle.

Henry and Shay beam at each other like newlyweds, while Angus keeps one protective arm draped over Luna’s chair.

This is everything I’ve imagined a real family dinner should be. Warm. Chaotic. Loving.

And I want it so desperately I can barely breathe.

Delaney and I sit on either side of Tom.

I try to sink into the background while memorizing every detail.

The way Ben’s eyes crinkle when he laughs.

How Shay reaches over to squeeze Henry’s hand during quiet moments, the other resting on her pregnant belly.

The comfortable way Luna teases Angus about being overprotective.

Tom’s thigh presses against mine under the table, solid heat that makes me hyperaware of every shift, every breath. When he reaches for the butter, his forearm brushes mine, and electricity shoots straight to my core.

This is wrong. He’s here for Delaney, not me.

But my body doesn't care about right and wrong.

“So,” Ben says, gesturing toward us with his fork, “Tom’s told us about the arrangement, but we’d love to hear more about you ladies.Tom mentioned you've been working multiple jobs, Delaney?”

As my sister launches into her carefully rehearsed summary of our struggles, I observe the family dynamics around the table. These people genuinely like each other. They tease and laugh and support without keeping score of who owes what.

It’s everything Delaney and I never had.

“What about you, Kitty?” Luna asks. “Any career plans, or are you more focused on other things?”

Career plans? I barely finished eighth grade before our parents died. I’ve spent years being Delaney’s medical emergency, her burden, and her responsibility.

“I—” The words stick in my throat. “I don’t have any, on account of doing odd jobs here and there.”

“She's brilliant with plants,” Delaney says quickly, jumping to my rescue like always. “Could probably be a botanist or horticulturist if she wanted.”

“Oh, I love all things plants too,” Luna says enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up. “Angus and I dug a new plot behind the coop where we planted sunflowers for Ruth, and he’s building me a greenhouse.”

“A greenhouse?” I ask eagerly. “I’d love to see it. And I want to learn all about mountain herbs. I’ve read about medicinal herbs, but seeing them growing wild would be incredible.”

Tom leans closer. “Mom’s garden hash wild varieties. Echinacea, red clover, plenty of others.”

Hours ago, his mouth was half-numb from the dentist, his words thick and awkward. Now the haze is gone, leaving only that deep, resonant rumble. And God help me, it’s unfair how much more attractive his voice is when it’s fully his.

I lean toward him without thinking, drawn by the warmth in his tone when he mentions his mother. “You know about herbs?”

“My mom taught me.” His voice drops lower, rougher. “Could show you the best spots tomorrow. If you're interested.”

“I'd love that,” I whisper. More than I should.

His gaze drops to my lips for just a heartbeat before meeting my eyes again. “It's a date then.”

Delaney clears her throat. “Actually, Tom, I was hoping we could discuss our arrangement tomorrow. Timeline, expectations, that sort of thing.”

Heat floods my face as reality crashes back. Tom and Delaney need to plan their marriage, their future together. I’m just the tagalong sister who needs to figure out where she fits.

“Sure.” Tom’s eyes stay locked on mine. “Plenty of time for everything.”

The conversation moves to ranch operations and weather, but I can’t focus on anything except the man beside me.

Every casual gesture draws my attention—the way he cuts his meat with precise movements, how his throat works when he swallows, the play of muscles in his forearms as he stretches for the salt.

I’m in so much trouble.

“MAAAAAAHHHHHHH!”

The sound explodes from outside, loud enough to rattle windows. Everyone freezes for exactly two seconds before chaos erupts.

“Cheese Puff,” Ben, Henry, and Angus say in unison.

Tom shoves back from the table, his chair scraping against the floor. “Dear God, what’s she into now?”

Before anyone can answer, the front door bangs open and the mischievous goat crashes into the room. Her yellow eyes survey the dinner table with calculating intelligence.

“Cheese Puff, no!” Luna shouts.

Too late. The goat launches toward the table with surprising grace, clearly aiming for the cornbread basket. Tom moves like lightning, intercepting her mid-leap and wrapping powerful arms around the animal’s barrel-shaped torso.

“Got you, you hairy menace,” he grunts, wrestling with sixty pounds of pure determination.

But Cheese Puff has other ideas. She twists in Tom’s grip, hooves scrabbling for purchase, and somehow knocks over the water pitcher. Ice water cascades across the table, and everyone scrambles to save their plates.

“Get her out of here before she destroys something else!”Ben barks .

Tom staggers toward the back door with his furry burden, muttering what sounds like creative curses. I grab napkins and help Luna mop up water, but I can’t stop watching the spectacle.

Even covered in goat hair and clearly exasperated, Tom moves with complete confidence. He’s not angry or rough—just firm and patient, like he’s done this dance with Cheese Puff a hundred times before.

A man who can wrangle livestock with gentle hands instead of losing his temper? Who talks to animals like they’re misbehaving children?

Dear God. My body responds before my brain catches up, heat pooling low in my belly as I watch those capable hands work.

My ovaries explode.

“I’m so sorry,” Luna says, shooting apologetic looks around the table. “I thought she was secured in the barn.”

“That goat could escape from Alcatraz,” Henry says dryly. “ Don’t blame yourself.”

From the back door comes Tom’s voice, pitched low and soothing despite his obvious frustration. I can’t make out words through his dental slur, but the tone is gentle. Coaxing.

My chest tightens with want. This is what strength looks like—not violence or dominance, but quiet competence and endless patience.

“Cheese Puff always calms down for Tom. It’s like magic,”Shay says fondly.

“Tom’s always had patience for those who need it most,”Ben adds, and I get the sense he’s not just talking about animals.

Tom reemerges a few minutes later, looking rumpled but victorious. His dark hair sticks up at odd angles, and he has a streak of something that might be slobber on his shirt.

“Crisis averted,” he announces, running fingers through his hair. “For now.”

“Where is she?” Angus asks suspiciously.

“Secure in her pen with grain to keep her busy.” Tom slides back into his seat, his thigh pressing against mine with deliberate pressure. “Sorry about that. She’s usually better-behaved during dinner.”

“Damn goat is lucky to be alive,” Angus mutters.

“The barn caught fire a few months ago, and Luna and Cheese Puff were trapped inside,” Tom explains at my questioning look, his voice tight. “We still don’t know who started it.”

“Arson?” Delaney asks, looking shocked and concerned.

Angus nods, a muscle flicking in his jaw.

My gaze moves to the pale, healing skin along Luna’s neck. “And Luna…”

“Saved the goat,” Angus finishes, his expression a mix of irritation and awe as he gazes at his wife. “Because of course she did.”

Luna gives a tiny shrug. “I couldn’t leave her.”

“Cheese Puff is special, but you’re irreplaceable,” Ben says, his affection for his daughter-in-law evident in his blue eyes.

Luna lifts her chin and says softly but firmly, “She was still worth saving.”

Angus shifts beside her, clearly not used to this many emotions in one meal. He curls a hand around hers without a word, but the look they share says everything. I get the feeling that these two people could exist in a bubble and never need anything else.

A pang hits me. That’s the kind of love I’ve only ever read about. The kind that doesn’t need big declarations or dramatic speeches, just quiet steadiness and knowing glances. The safety of someone who would run into fire for you without thinking twice.

It’s not loud or flashy. It’s real.

I realize how much I’ve been craving something like that. Something that feels like home—not borrowed or temporary.

Someone who’s mine.

Henry’s expression grows serious as he looks between me and Delaney. “Now that you’re family, you need to know what we're dealing with. Someone’ s been causing trouble—messing with our equipment, taking cattle.”

The warmth from dinner evaporates. These good people have enemies.

“That’s why we brought in Beckett for security,” Ben says. “Good man. His girl, Georgina, is the mechanic who keeps our equipment running—they live in the back cabin.”

“You're safe,” Henry says firmly. “Just wanted you to be aware of what’s been happening.”

My protective instincts flare. Apart from my sister, I’ve never had anything worth protecting before.

Across the table, Delaney’s brows draw together slightly, and I know she’s thinking what I am: Extra security? Who would want to harm Luna? Who would want to cause trouble for this loud, loving, wonderfully chaotic family?

They seem like they would do anything for each other.

“Well, I for one am thankful that both Luna and Cheese Puff lived to tell the tale,” Shay says in an obvious attempt to lighten the mood. She chuckles. “Remember when she ate Ruth’s entire herb garden in one afternoon?”

Tom smirks. “Luna or Cheese Puff?”

Laughter resumes, and the family launches into Cheese Puff stories that have me giggling uncontrollably.Most people would rehome the little troublemaker, but not the Suttons. Cheese Puff is a beloved but mischievous family member.

“You think that's bad,” Luna says, grinning . “What about the time she got into the grain shed and we found her passed out drunk on fermented corn?”

My eyes widen. “Actually drunk?”

“Completely wasted,” Angus confirms, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Tom carried her back to the barn like a sorority girl after a night of bottomless mimosas.”

The image makes me snort-laugh, which sets everyone else off. For the first time in years, I’m not watching from the sidelines. I’m part of something—this wild, messy, loud family that I want to be part of more than my next breath .

“You have the best laugh,” Tom says suddenly, and the way he’s looking at me makes my heart skip.

The table falls silent.

Ben clears his throat. “More pot roast, anyone?”

As conversation picks up again, Tom’s hand finds my knee under the table. Just rests there, warm and claiming, his thumb drawing lazy circles through my jeans.

I should stop him. Pull away. Remember that he’s marrying my sister in a few weeks.

Instead, I press my leg closer, silently begging for more of his touch.

The rest of dinner passes in a haze of sexual tension and family warmth. Every accidental touch sends fire racing through my veins. Every time Tom laughs at something I say, pride swells in my chest.

This is what it feels like to be wanted. To be seen as more than someone’s burden or responsibility.

And it’s the most dangerous feeling in the world.Because if I let myself want this, someone’s going to get hurt. And it won’t just be me this time.

After dinner, Shay offers to take us upstairs to our rooms.

“Breakfast is at six. Ranch days start early,”Tom calls out as Delaney and I gather our bags.

“Six is perfect,” Delaney replies efficiently.

“Wear comfortable shoes tomorrow, Kitty. For the garden tour,”?Tom adds.

The way he says my name makes me shiver. “I will.”

Delaney says nothing, but I see the flick of her eyes toward me. Not angry. Just… noting.

“Sleep well.”

His gaze follows me like a physical touch as we head upstairs. When I glance back from the landing, he’s still watching, his blue eyes dark with want.

The guest bedrooms we’re given are beautiful—antique quilts and honey-colored furniture that matches the rest of the house. But as I settle by the window in my room to stare out at the moonlit mountains, all I can think about is Tom.

I find myself counting the hours until morning.Until I can be alone with a man who makes me feel alive in ways I never knew possible.

Even if he’s supposed to belong to someone else.