Page 92 of Owned By The Cowboy

“Hell yes. You think some rich asshole from the city scares me?”

“He should. He’s got money, lawyers, connections…”

I smirk, and it’s a mean, evil expression I know I haven’t worn in a long time. “Baby, I got all that, and something he doesn’t.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve got a family who loves me. Kids who trust me. A woman who’s worth fighting for.”

“Blayne…”

“And I’ve got years of being part of this community. People here know me, trust me. That matters.”

“Maybe.”

“Not maybe. Definitely.”

I pull her into my arms, and she melts against me like she always does.

“We’re gonna be okay,” I tell her.

“You sure?”

“Positive. Richard can bring all the lawyers he wants. But at the end of the day, this is about what’s best for the kids. And what’s best for them is staying here, with you, in a place where they’re happy and loved.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am right. We’ll figure it out.”

“Together?”

“Together.”

She pulls back to look at me, and I can see some of the worry fading from her eyes.

“I love you,” she says.

“I love you too. All of you. And that’s not changing, no matter what your ex tries to pull.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay. We’ll face whatever comes next.”

“Damn right we will.”

Twenty Five

Reggie

I’m in my new sewing room working on a wedding dress for Mrs. Robles’s daughter when I hear a car in the driveway. Not Blayne’s truck, I know that sound by heart. This is something else.

My stomach drops even before I look out the window. Richard’s standing next to a shiny black BMW, wearing one of his perfectly tailored suits and looking around Blayne’s property like he’s calculating its value. He looks exactly the same, still handsome in that polished, country club way, still carrying himself like he owns the world.

I haven’t seen him since the day I signed the divorce papers months ago.

“Shit,” I mutter.