Brandon chuckled, his body shaking slightly behind hers. She loved lying with him on the couch like this, the light fading from the day as they talked about the things they’d done, and their plans for the future.
She couldn’t believe the night-and-day difference in her mood from this morning to tonight. All she’d done was make a drive and force herself to say everything she’d finally found in her heart.
And Brandon, as good, and kind, and wonderful as he was, had forgiven her immediately.
Lenore sighed happily and closed her eyes as Brandon’s arm came down over hers. “Mm, you smell good,” he said.
“It’s so amazing having a shower in the house.” She twisted in his arms, her face so close to his. “No more showering at the truck stop. You can bring your stuff here and shower.” She smiled as he did. “The water is really hot, too.”
“Now you’re just teasin’ me,” he whispered.
“I’m not,” Lenore said soberly. “Go take a shower right now.” She started to roll again, intending to get off the couch.
His arms tightened around her. “No, I don’t want to shower right now.” He touched the tip of his nose to her cheekbone. “I have a few other ideas.” He touched his lips to hers, and Lenore melted into her lava-hot kiss with this man.
“I love you,” he murmured, and Lenore grinned. “I was sort of planning to get a bunch of pecan pie tarts and just show up on the front porch.” He chuckled. “Then beg you to take me back.”
Lenore kissed him again, the powerful passion of being with the person she loved so overwhelming. “It wouldn’t have been a bad move,” she whispered.
“I probably would’ve had to sketch it out first.”
Lenore giggled and tucked herself against his chest. Her pulse skipped, but she told herself to be brave. She’d already said things that were hard to get out of her mouth today. She could do it again.
“So, a family, huh?”
“Yeah.” Brandon cleared his throat. “I really like kids, and I think I’d do a decent job as a father.”
“I think you’ll be the best daddy in the whole world,” Lenore said. “I don’t feel very maternal, but I’d do my best.”
“You’re super maternal,” Brandon said, holding her tightly against his chest. “I’ve seen you with those chickens, sweetheart. You care and youtakecare in amazing ways.”
Warmth washed over Lenore, because she felt like she’d smothered her emotions since her parents had passed away, andnow she didn’t have to do that anymore. With Brandon, she could be herself.
“And the wedding?” he murmured. “Are we thinking spring, summer, fall, winter?”
Lenore tipped her head back again and looked at her handsome cowboy. “I’m thinking I’d marry you whenever you asked me.”
“Maybe we could talk to my mother,” he whispered. “I’ll do whatever you want, Lenny, because I want to give you the world. Would you—?” He swallowed, and Lenore didn’t like the twist of apprehension in his mouth.
“I don’t have a mother to plan a wedding with,” Lenore said. “Do you think Zona or Caroline or your mother would help me?”
“That’s what I was just going to ask.” He smiled and lightly kissed her. “I think we’ll finally get to see Zona cry if you ask her to help you plan our wedding.” He chuckled, but Lenore didn’t think he was kidding. “And she never cries.”
“I can’t imagine she does,” Lenore said. “I’d love to get married here at the homestead. Would everyone be willing to make the drive here?”
“Of course they will,” Brandon said, so sure of himself and the support he had. What a blessing that was, and Lenore needed to start thinking and believing like him. Perhaps, with a little time and more people showing up for her, she would.
“Then I think we should do it in April or May,” Lenore said. “The homestead will be beautiful then.”
“April or May?” Brandon asked, his voice pitching up. “Lenny, that’s like, two months from now.”
She frowned. “Yeah…is that a problem?”
“Arizona willlose her mind,” Brandon said with a grin. “We should totally do it.” He growled and kissed her, his smile disappearing as he deepened their connection. He broke the kiss and moved to sit up.
“But seriously, we should text her, because I’m going to have to get a ring, and propose, and we might not be able to do everything in two months.” He pulled out his phone and started tapping. “Like, you need a dress, and we need to…I don’t know. Feed people.”
“We don’t have to do dinner,” Lenore said, fear striking through her. “Brandon, I can’t afford a lot.”
