Page 79 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Because we pay attention,” Nia says. “And because it’s obvious. Blayne’s like the most eligible bachelor in town. Was the most eligible bachelor. Now he’s taken,” she finishes with a huge smile aimed at said ex-bachelor.

“Very taken,” he agrees with a returned grin, and they freaking fist-bump.

Annalise giggles. “Good, because I don’t want to share him.”

“You don’t have to share me, princess. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You promise?”

He turns a sweet smile her way, and my poor ovaries explode like fireworks. “I promise, sweetheart.”

Twenty Two

Blayne

“Blayne, can you give me a hand with the grill?” Mel calls from the back patio, where he’s been wrestling with some brand-new contraption for twenty minutes.

“Sure,” I reply, setting down my drink. Behind me, I can hear Reggie laughing.

“Damn thing came with forty pages of instructions,” Mel mutters. “When the hell did grills get so complicated?”

“When they started putting computers in everything. Thing’s got more buttons than my truck.”

“Sarah said the old one was a fire hazard.”

I chuckle. “The old onewasa fire hazard, Mel. Saw you using a coat hanger to hold the door shut.”

“That coat hanger worked just fine.” I laugh, shaking my head.

I mess with the controls and get it fired up. “There you go.”

“Thanks, son.”

“Blayne!” Annalise comes running over, grass stains all over her pretty dress. “Look!” She throws a perfect spiral across the yard.

“Wow, not bad at all, princess.”

Beaming, she runs off to show someone else.

Mel starts throwing burgers on the grill. “She’s crazy about you,” he says. All of them are. Haven’t seen them this happy in a while.” I just keep quiet. Too happy and emotional for words. “You know, always hoped Reggie would end up back here.” He gives me a look. “With you.”

“Mel…” I start.

“I’m not blind, son. Seen how you two look at each other.”

Before I can figure out what to say, Sarah shows up with enough food to feed the whole town.

“How are my guys?”

“Just talking,” Mel replies with a huge smile.

“Good. Blayne, honey, hope you’re hungry.”

I look at the table she’s setting up. “You went a little overboard, Ms. Sarah.”

“We’re celebrating.” I raise a questioning eyebrow. She laughs, shaking her head. “You and Reggie, of course. About time you two quit being idiots.”

“We weren’t being idiots.” I chuckle.