Page 9 of Rescued by the Alien Bull Rider (Cowboy Colony Mail-Order Brides #6)

JOLENE

“ I just… I needed you to know that before you made a decision. If you’re even considering my proposal, anyway,” I said, my words rushing together.

Zohro was very still. His eyes retained that bright glow.

“Are you widowed?” he asked stiffly. “Or currently married…”

“No, nothing like that,” I said. “I just, er, played a little fast and loose with my birth control situation. I thought my pulse treatment was still effective and, well…”

Zohro made a sound of recognition. “The energy pulse that targets the ovaries and prevents ovulation for long blocks of time.”

“Yes! That one. Do you guys have something similar?”

“I read about it,” he said vaguely.

Well, he did say he was a surgeon. It made sense that he’d know about various medical procedures, even if they were human in origin.

“And what about the male involved?” he asked.

“Not in the picture,” I said, fighting embarrassment that I’d been so thoroughly and humiliatingly ghosted. “When I tried to track him down and get some support, he blocked me from all communication.”

Zohro’s eyes seemed to grow brighter, if that were possible. A withering blaze of white flame that I almost wanted to shy away from, but didn’t.

“I’m not ashamed of my daughter,” I said, lifting my chin to meet those burning eyes. “Or of how she came to be. And if you don’t want to help raise a child that isn’t yours, I completely understand. But I’d rather know now.”

And I truly did want to know. Whatever the answer. Because I’d promised Baby Girl – and myself – that I wouldn’t bring her somewhere she’d be a burden.

But still…

Still, a (probably very stupid) part of me hoped Zohro might be on board anyway.

I liked him, I liked his pretty alien horse, I liked his property, scary reptile cat predators and angry bulls aside.

The thought of trying to marry another Zabrian rancher now, leaving Zohro and this place behind, made my whole body want to wilt.

“You have been abandoned by your male,” Zohro said.

I grimaced.

Jesus. Doesn’t mince words much, does he?

“Pretty much. Though he wasn’t ‘my male,’” I clarified. “Just mine for one night. Or, a few hours of it, anyway…”

“And now, heavy with child, you come seeking stability. A house and husband.”

“Yes,” I said honestly. There was no point in obfuscating my goals here. I was looking for a house and a husband. And a horse, if possible. Somewhere safe to raise my child. Somewhere I could contribute.

“But there’s more than that,” I added hastily. I wasn’t sure why I was suddenly compelled to add this bit. It made me feel all hot and vulnerable under Zohro’s hard white stare. “I hope… I hope to find happiness. With… With someone. I don’t just want a house. I want a home. A family.”

Oh, God. Somebody kill me now.

I sounded pathetic. I should have stuck with the more practical and mercenary explanation.

That I was pregnant and homeless and needed somewhere to go, end of story.

None of this wishy washy, won’t somebody love me?

crap. If he was on the verge of accepting me before, no doubt he’d send me packing now.

Under the light of the moons, stars, and his own bright eyes, I could see every muscle in Zohro’s frame tightly corded. His jaw was knotted with tension.

“I’ll do it.”

“You’ll…”

“I’ll marry you. Be your husband. Provide for you and your child.”

Sweet relief, like Terratribe II honey, poured through my veins. My knees nearly buckled with the sensation.

“Oh,” I said, blinking back tears and beaming at him. “Thank you! You’re sure?”

He looked offended by the question, his black brows knitting together over his glowing eyes.

“Why the blazes would I not be sure?”

“I just… I’m just checking,” I replied. I stroked my stomach. His gaze followed the movement of my hand. “It’s a lot to commit to. I’m just… Making sure you want to.”

He took in a rough breath, then growled, “I am not in the habit of doing things I do not want to if I can help it.”

“So… You want to marry me, then?”

His throat muscles leaped, as if with a sudden hard swallow.

“Yes,” he rasped. He stabbed his tail towards the house. “Now get inside and wash your hands. We have more to discuss.”

“You got it,” I said with a grin, hurrying in ahead of him. Ahead of my fiancé.

I was officially engaged.

Things were finally looking up.