Page 42 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Yep,” Annalise says. “We’re going dancing!”

“Have fun,” he says with a small smile, shaking his head at his baby sister.

“We will! I’m gonna show Blayne all my best moves!”

“I’m counting on it,” Blayne replies, standing up. “Ready to go?”

“Ready!”

They head toward the door, and I follow, grabbing my purse.

“Where are you going?” Blayne asks, giving me a puzzled look.

“To drop you guys off,” I reply, just as surprised by his question.

“I can drive.” Shit, I didn’t think he’d just want to scoop my girl away.

“I know you can drive. But I want to see you two walk in together.”

“Mom,” Annalise says, “you should come dancing too!”

“It’s a father-daughter dance, baby. Just for daddies and their girls.”

“But Blayne’s not my daddy, and he gets to come.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

I look at Blayne. How do you explain to a six-year-old that some rules are flexible and others aren’t?

“How about this,” Blayne says. “Your mom should totally come with us for a while, but then it’s just you and me on the dance floor. Deal?”

“Deal!”

Twenty minutes later, we’re walking into the elementary school gymnasium, which has been transformed into something that actually looks pretty magical. White lights are strung everywhere; there are balloons and flowers on every table, and a DJ is playing music that’s appropriate for six-year-olds but doesn’t make the adults want to run screaming. Who knew?

“Wow,” Annalise breathes. “It’s so pretty!”

“Almost as pretty as you,” Blayne replies, and she giggles.

We find a table near the edge of the dance floor, and I watch as Blayne helps Annalise into her chair like a perfect gentleman. Other father-daughter pairs are scattered around the room, and I have to admit, Blayne fits right in. He’s definitely the best looking, and he’s treating this whole thing with the same serious attention they are.

“Can we dance now?” Annalise asks, impatiently tapping her feet to the rhythm of the music.

“Absolutely. Reggie, you okay sitting here for a few minutes?”

“I’m fine. Go have fun.”

Then I get to watch Blayne Madison slow dance with my six-year-old daughter, and I’m pretty sure my ovaries explode on the spot.

He’s so careful with her, holding her hand gently and letting her stand on his feet so she can reach. She’s chattering away as usual, probably giving him a detailed play-by-play of her dance moves, and he’s listening like it’s the most important conversation of his life.

Other people are watching too. I can see the moms at nearby tables whispering to each other, and I know they’re wondering what the story is here. Green Fields is small enough that everyone knows everyone, and Blayne showing up with Annalise is definitely going to be the talk of the town tomorrow.

But right now, I don’t care. Because my daughter looks happier than she has in months, and the man I’m falling for is treating her like she’s the most important person in the world.

When the song ends, they come back to the table, both of them grinning.