Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68594 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 343(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
We both froze as my words echoed around us.
“You love me?” she whispered.
I chuckled dryly. “Leave it to me to pick the least romantic spot to say it, but yeah, I love you, Quinn Harper. I don’t know when or how, but somehow, I fell for you.” I bent and kissed her. “Even when we argue, I love you. Nothing is gonna change that, and certainly not because you’re not a horse fan. I kinda like that you’re not big on cowboys.”
“I’m a Farmer John fan,” she said, her eyes glowing, her voice low.
“Then we’re good.”
“And I love you too. I don’t know how either, but I do, John. I love you so much.”
I swept her into my arms and kissed her. There was nothing left to say.
19
QUINN
John slid his hand over mine in the truck on the way back to the farm. Abby was asleep five minutes after we headed home, exhausted from her horseback riding, full from the delicious piece of cake she’d eaten, and delirious with joy when she was told she could come back anytime and ride Ginger.
“She’s so pretty, Momma! And she ate an apple from my hand and kissed it! She likes me.”
“Pumpkin had a good day,” he mused.
“She did.”
“I was thinking of buying Ginger for her. We could stable her at the ranch.”
I gaped at him. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, John. She loves it today, maybe not in a week or a month.”
He pursed his lips. “She’s a steady little thing,” he said, looking thoughtful. “I think she’ll keep wanting to go. And when she shows she can do it, we can move the horse to the farm, and she can care for it there and ride her anytime she wants.”
I felt a flutter in my chest at his words. I still hadn’t gotten over the fact that he’d told me he loved me. Now, he was talking future plans.
Talk about steady.
When I had joined Sadie, she’d filled up a coffee mug and slid it my way. “Nice to see John look happy.” She winked. “That’s rare.”
I had laughed and taken a sip of my coffee.
“He’s crazy about you and the little one,” she mused.
“Why would you say that?” I asked, curious.
“The way he looks at you. Both of you, actually. Protective. Loving. His father used to look at his mother the same way. They were a wonderful couple.”
I felt myself blush. “He is pretty awesome. The gruffness is to keep people away.”
She nodded, looking thoughtful. “I’ve known him a long time. He became gruffer the past few years.” She eyed me knowingly. “And I’m sure you know why.” She tutted under her breath. “That woman was awful. He deserves so much better.” She patted my hand. “And I think he’s found it.”
“I think I’m pretty lucky.”
She eyed me over the rim of her cup. “I’m a pretty good judge of character. I’d say he’s lucked out as well.” She smiled at my red cheeks. “Now, tell me about your plans.”
“John,” I admonished gently. “We don’t have to rush things.”
“Not trying to rush anything.” He shrugged. “Those are my thoughts, so I’m letting you know. No worries.” He glanced at me. “I’m a straight shooter, Quinn. I love you. I said it and I meant it. I plan on moving forward with you and Pumpkin. You want that too, right?”
“Yes. But—”
He shook his head. “But nothing. We’ll do what we want, when we want. I have never let society or anyone dictate my life to me, and frankly, you let someone else dictate to you long enough. You tell me what you want, I’ll tell you what I want, and we’ll figure things out. And what I want is a life with you and Abby in it.”
The words were out before I could stop them.
“Do you really want children?”
He flashed me a wide grin. “With you? Absolutely. I want to make a few of her all over again.” He indicated Abby sleeping in the back seat. “Get to be there with you to go through everything. Hold them as a baby. Watch them take their first step.” He paused. “As long as you want more.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then we agree.”
“Um, not like tomorrow.”
He laughed, lifting my hand to his mouth. “Good. I want to spoil you for a while. Let you get to know me and all my bad habits, then decide if you want to risk my DNA mixing with yours.”
“I love mixing our DNA.”
He winked as he pulled into the driveway. “Later, darlin’. I promise you lots of DNA later.”
I squeezed his hand. “Okay.”
Abby woke up as we parked, and we headed down to the watering hole, the coolness refreshing on our skin. She splashed and played, John tossing her into the deeper water, staying close to make sure she was safe. I watched how natural they were together. How in tune he was with her, and I could only imagine him if I was pregnant. The protectiveness I saw in him would be multiplied.