A Cowboy to Call Daddy (The Boones of Texas 4)

“Put your hands in your pockets,” she said. “When you want to reach for me.”

He swallowed. “Is that so?”

She nodded, dumping Clark’s coat and briefcase on the floor and crossing the room to him. She stood inches away, staring up at him. But something out the window caught her eye.

“Fireflies,” he said.

“I haven’t seen them since I was little,” she said, staring out the window. “I used to catch them with my mom. It was hard work.”

“Keep them as pets?” he asked.

She shook her head, frowning up at him. “No, we’d catch them. Then let them go. Didn’t want to hurt them.”

He stared, studying her.

“You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind, Dr. Boone.”

He nodded.

She reached up, smoothing his brow. “I’m a problem solver. A doer. If you want help?”

He shook his head.

“No? Then I need a favor. It won’t take long,” she said, her gaze traveling over his face.

“Okay,” he agreed, his hands itching to touch her.

She hooked her finger through his belt loop and tugged him toward her door, smiling. “This way.”

He followed, ready and willing for whatever she had in mind.

She closed the door behind him, then pushed him forward, toward the bed. “Sit,” she said.

He sat.

She lifted his foot, eyeing his boots. “Off.”

He smiled, tugging his boots off.

She hopped on the bed beside him. Once his boots were off, she pushed him back on the pillows.

“Eden—”

“Hush,” she whispered, snuggling tightly against his side. “I need this, please.”

His arms wrapped around her, tugging her close against his side. He closed his eyes, soaking up her scent, the slight weight of her arm and hand on his chest, the silk of her hair as he ran his fingers through the long locks. He felt the moment she drifted off to sleep, the way she went pliant and her breath grew slow and steady. He waited, wanting to hold her all night, but knowing he had no right.

When she rolled over, he slipped from the bed. He tugged on his boots, taking a long look at the woman he loved before he headed to the refuge.

Chapter Fourteen

Eden bounced Lily, wincing as her daughter’s shrieks grew louder and louder. She glanced at Clark. “Maybe you should take Ivy,” she suggested.

But Ivy’s eyes filled up with tears. “Momma, you have to see the parade. Hush, Lily.”

Eden took Ivy’s hand in hers. “Your daddy can take you.”

“Come on, Ivy, we’ll have fun,” Clark offered. “I can put you up on my shoulders so you can see the horses better.”