Page 41 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Okay, calm down, sweetie. Let’s go answer the door like civilized people.”

But she’s already running down the hallway, and I’m left to follow behind, trying to prepare myself for seeing Blayne in his suit.

I’m not prepared.

Not even close.

He’s standing on my porch looking like every goddamn freaking fantasy I’ve ever had come to life. The charcoal suit fits him perfectly, emphasizing his ridiculously broad shoulders and narrow waist. His hair is combed back, and he’s holding a small bouquet of purple flowers that match Annalise’s dress. Just kill me now. But it’s the expression on his face when he sees her that nearly brings me to my knees. Pure wonder, like he’s looking at something precious and perfect. Gah!

“Princess,” he rumbles softly. “You look incredible.”

“Do you like my dress?” She does a spin, smiling brightly at Blayne.

“I love your dress. But more importantly, do you like my suit?”

“You look very handsome,” she replies very seriously. “Like Prince Charming.”

“Well, every princess needs a prince for her first dance.”

He hands her the flowers, and she practically vibrates with excitement.

“These are for me?” she yells.

“Inside voice, baby,” I instruct with a huge grin of my own.

My daughter doesn’t even register the reminder.

“Mom, look! Blayne brought me flowers!” She keeps yelling.

“I see that, baby. They’re beautiful,” I reply, still smiling huge too.

I’m trying to keep it together, but watching this big, gruff man be so sweet to my daughter is doing things to my heart I’m not ready to deal with.

“We should get pictures,” I say, grabbing my phone. “Stand together.”

Blayne crouches next to Annalise, and their size difference is my undoing. She barely comes up to his shoulder even when he’s kneeling, but they both look so happy that I take about twenty-thousand photos to immortalize the moment.

“Mom, can you take one of me, Blayne and you?”

“Baby, this is your special night with Blayne.”

“But I want one with all of us. Like a family picture.”

The word ‘family’ hangs in the air for a second, and I see something flicker across Blayne’s face. Something warm and beautiful.

“If your mom doesn’t mind,” he says, looking carefully at me.

“I don’t mind.” I grin wide, letting my expression show him what I feel.

So I hand my phone to Nia, who’s been watching this whole thing with barely concealed amusement, and we arrange ourselves for the photo. Annalise in the middle, me on one side, Blayne on the other. His hand rests on my lower back, just barely touching, but I can feel the heat of it through my shirt.

“Perfect,” Nia says, taking the picture. “You all look very… domestic.”

“Nia,” I warn.

“What? I’m just saying.”

Jaylen appears in the doorway, looking like he just woke up from another nap. “You guys leaving?”