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

“Forgiven.” He shook his head. “I don’t want us moving forward with secrets or regrets.”

She stepped forward then, pressing her hand to his cheek. “I only regret that it wasn’t me you were in love with. Me, me. Not Eden Caraway.”

“You’re you, Eden. You’re the woman I love with my whole heart. And if you’ll have me, if you’ll let me, I’ll be the best damn husband and father I can be.”

Her hazel eyes bore into his, searching. “At the ranch? In Stonewall Crossing?”

He nodded. “It’s a good home. Good enough for you, for Ivy and Lily. If you want.” He knew she could say no. After his outburst, he wouldn’t blame her. But he hoped. Oh, how he hoped.

“I do? Yes,” she agreed. “The best home.” She smiled.

He could breathe, finally. “Then marry me.” He cupped her cheek, knowing his hand was shaking and there wasn’t a thing he could do about. “You know I love you, that I need you and the girls. You know I’m stubborn and...uptight at times. But I’m asking, anyway. Eden, will you marry me?” His voice was gruff, thick.

“Yes, Archer, yes. There’s nothing I want more.” She stepped closer. “I love you. I’ll always love you.”

He lifted her left hand, sliding a thick metal band onto her finger. “It’s a ring I made from a horseshoe nail. Wish I’d bought you something pretty, but I didn’t think—”

“It’s beautiful. More so because you made it.” She stared down at the silver nail he’d shaped and polished. The ring he should have given her the night before. She rested her hand on his chest and looked at him. “I never thought I’d see you here. In the city—away from the ranch and home.”

He grinned. “You are home, Eden. Though I’m not a big-city driver.” He loved her giggle, the way she melted into him when he pulled her close. “Whatever you want, whatever you need, I’ll do my best to see you have it.” He brushed his lips against hers.

“I already do. My girls are happy. I’m happy.” She pressed a kiss to Lily’s cheek, smiling at the sleeping baby, before standing on tiptoes to kiss his lips. “I have you, Archer Boone.”

Epilogue

Archer carried Lily past the first stall, admiring how closely she paid attention to everything he did. She was going to be like her mother, a horsewoman through and through.

“Hee,” she said.

“Horse,” he agreed.

She smiled at him.

He walked on, glancing again at Eden in the pasture. She was standing next to her father, Dylan Quaid. The two were in deep conversation over Fester and his blind lady love—the little paint now named Kitty. Ivy stood between them, her pink cowboy hat and brown boots—with sparkles—shining in the mid-morning sun. Dylan had arrived a few days before their wedding. And in the three weeks since, he and Eden had grown closer every day. It warmed Archer’s heart to see her finally get the love of her father.

Not that accepting her mother’s infidelity was easy. It wasn’t. Archer had held her many a night, wishing there was something he could do or say to make the hurt she felt ease. Eden knew that her mother must have really loved Dylan. And the last pack of letters had proven that.

Holding her seemed to help both of them. He held her a lot. He went out of his way to let her know he was, and always would be, there—loving her. But lucky for him, she did the same. A smile here, a touch there, a kiss on his cheek when he sat at his desk. He was a happy man.

“Hee,” Lily repeated as River stuck his head out. “Rivi.”

“Yep, River’s saying hello.” Archer stood close enough that River could explore Lily with his nose. She was like her momma, keeping her hands down and staying still. Respectful of the animal.

“He likes you, Lily,” Archer said, smiling as Lily stared into River’s eyes. “You’re his little bug, too.”

She smiled at Archer, four little white teeth showing. “Rivi.”

“Any plans this morning?” Eden asked, walking into the barn with Quaid. “Clara and Teddy wanted to take the girls into town to get food for the kitten and a new jingle ball.”

“Taffy will love that.” Archer chuckled. Ivy had her orange tabby. Taffy ran all over, especially in the early morning hours. Her favorite thing to do, other than playing with Ivy, was batting her jingly ball down the staircase. “Can we look into a ball without a bell?” he asked.

“Tired?” Eden asked, sliding her arms around his waist and dropping a kiss on Lily’s head. “Part of fatherhood, Dr. Boone. Sleepless nights.”

“I’m not complaining, Mrs. Boone,” he assured her. “But the bell seems like asking for trouble.” He kissed her temple, drawing in her scent. “If the girls are going into town, I can think of a few things I’d like to do with my wife.”

Eden’s cheeks flushed, her gaze falling to his lips and making him ache to be back in their bed.

“Hey, hey, now,” Dylan said. “Let me take Lily up to the Lodge so you can kiss her proper, boy. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do—and that means keeping his wife happy.”