Cowgirl Up and Ride (Rough Riders #3)(128)

Once a week he sent her a package. Sometimes the items were funny, like a miniature windup dancing horse he’d picked up at the farm supply store. Or sweet, like a silvery camisole that he claimed matched her eyes. Or thoughtful, like a pair of flannel pajamas because he knew she was always cold. Or raunchy, like the fur-lined adult novelty handcuffs.


No matter what he sent, he included a hand-written note with the words I LOVE


YOU written in all caps and underlined. Heavily underlined. Ky frequently contributed a drawing to the weekly mailing, in addition to demanding to talk to her at every opportunity.


If she thought she’d loved Cord before, it was nothing compared to the way she felt about him now.


AJ looked at the clock and smoothed the wrinkles from her denim skirt. Cord would be here any minute. Lord. They hadn’t seen each other in over four months. Longest four months of her life. And yet, getting to know Cord on a non-physical level gave her a whole bunch more to appreciate about him.


She’d taken her last test and was officially a certified massage therapist. Seemed weird not to have a graduation ceremony. Seemed even weirder not to have a plan firmly in place about her future. She just hoped Cord was in it.


Three knocks sent her scurrying to the door. She flung herself into Cord’s arms the second he stepped inside.


“Oh God. You’re here. You’re really here.”


Cord kicked the door shut and just held her. He tipped her face back to look into her eyes. “Before I kiss you, before I touch you, let me say this: I love you. Sweet baby Jesus. I love you so damn much.” He kissed her with a mix of tenderness and passion that had tears springing to her eyes.


When she broke away, she whispered, “I love you too.”


“Then marry me, AJ. Not because we’re compatible, or because you are a born ranch woman, or because you’d make a good mother. Marry me for me. Marry me because I’m a selfish bastard and I want you to be mine forever. Marry me because I don’t know if I’ll survive the rest of my life without havin’ you by my side every damn day. Please say yes, baby doll. Make your home with me. With us. Make me the luckiest man in the world.”



“Yes.”


Cord kissed her again.


All the need and hunger that’d been dormant inside her ignited like a brush fire. She tugged him toward her bedroom.


He gently dug his bootheels into the carpet. “Nuh-uh. No hanky-panky until you’re wearin’ my ring and you’re my wife.”


“But—”


He lifted an eyebrow. “That’s one.”


“Can I have the swat now? I’ll even take my skirt off. Shirt too.” Her hands went to the buttons on her blouse.


“Amy Jo. You ornery cuss. Keep them clothes on.”


“I missed you. I want you. I don’t wanna wait.” She nipped his chin and scraped her teeth down his throat. “Bet I can getcha to change your mind.”


“Probably. But we ain’t got much time, so there’s two things we hafta talk about first.” He reached inside his suit coat pocket and removed an envelope. “Your mama gave me this to give to you.”


“What is it?”


“I have no idea.”


AJ opened the letter and her heart caught at the familiar formal handwriting: Sweetheart-I’m glad Cord finally knows the truth about what you did to keep our ranch going.


I’m thrilled he’s asked for permission to marry you and I know you’ll be happy to be home in Sundance where you belong and with a man who loves you like crazy.