Hard-Riding Cowboy (Kinky Spurs 3)

He slid his hand across her belly. “It’s the who that’s going in this room that matters the most, I imagine.”

He dropped his chin, and she gave him a quick kiss. “Maybe you’re right.” Perhaps it wasn’t the space at all that made this room so special, but how emotional she felt being in a room with a crib and knowing that this would be their baby’s safe place.

Without much more than that to show he liked the house, he headed back down the stairs to the backyard. Megan studied him, watching his every move, trying to gauge his reaction as he took a good look at the patio.

“I doubt my grill will fit back here,” he said. “We’ll need to sell that too and grab a smaller one.”

Megan searched for disappointment in his voice or his expression, but there wasn’t any. He was simply dealing with the hand he had been given and finding ways to make it work.

Her shoulders began to sag as he moved to the edge of the deck, examining the grassy part of the backyard. He was getting rid of everything that was his. His house, his furniture . . . and his massive truck didn’t even fit in the driveway when they arrived, so that would likely have to go too. She cleared her throat, trying to push past the emotion. “I was thinking we could put a swing set over there.”

Nash nodded. “Yeah, and maybe a sandbox too.” He grabbed the railing on the deck and gave it a good shake.

“You weren’t kidding about the builder. This work is solid.” Again, Nash glanced from left to right, taking it all in before looking back at Megan again. “You made a good choice. It’s a fine house.”

A fine house. When did Nash ever live in a fine house? No, he lived in a rugged log house that didn’t have neighbors. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Are you really okay with this?” she blurted out.

The side of his mouth curved. He moved closer, taking her hand. “It’s a little tight, but we’ll get used to it.”

Her chest tightened even more. He settled, all to make her happy. But this wasn’t making her happy at all. “We don’t have to get this place. There are still conditions on the offer that haven’t been met.”

He gathered her in his arms, glancing down at her. His eyes were warm and soft. “You fell in love with this house. You put in an offer. I’m okay with staying here.”

Megan glanced at Gus who sat in the middle of the backyard, looking utterly confused at the fences. She’d been originally so excited about the house. But now suddenly she felt less excited. It still was a great house. Beautiful and charming. But it felt like her house, not theirs. Nash was a country boy. Hell, she was a country girl at heart too. “I don’t think Gus agrees with you.”

Nash followed her gaze and chuckled. Gus lay down, head on his paws, ears back, with the saddest look on his face. “He’s only sad because there are no more kittens for him to love all over. But soon”—he placed a hand on her belly—“this little one will be here, and Gus will be in his glory.”

She stared into the strength of Nash’s eyes. “I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy.” He dropped his mouth to hers and grinned. “I have you.”

She parted her lips to dig deeper, but Jannie came into the backyard. “We’ll have to head out soon,” she said. “I have another appointment in fifteen minutes.”

Megan frowned. She wanted more time to show Nash the house and get a feel for how he truly felt. That might have happened if Jannie hadn’t rambled when they first arrived. From “Oh, you had me so fooled, Megan. I thought you wanted to get a bigger place,” to “Everyone knew you two would eventually get together,” to “How do your parents feel about the baby?” Jannie had tried desperately to get the goods for her gossiping train, but Nash had expertly deflected the questions.

“It’s a really cute place, isn’t it?” Jannie asked, sidling up to Nash.

Megan cringed. Cute. This place didn’t suit Nash at all.

He nodded, his arm wrapping around Megan’s shoulder. “It’s perfect.”

Jannie began chatting his ear off about all the house’s features. Nash winked at Megan before following Jannie.

Megan sighed and dropped down on the patio steps. Gus climbed the steps then rested his head onto her lap and whined. “Yeah, I know, buddy,” she said softly, stroking his soft head.

This house wasn’t perfect. Not anymore. And the only one not hiding that fact was Gus.

Chapter 19

Two weeks later, Nash arrived at the guest ranch full of a hearty breakfast and a couple cups of coffee. To even his surprise, his log home had sold the day he proposed to Megan. A retired couple from Wisconsin came in with an all-cash offer, and that was that. The closing was in two months. Nash would pay his mother back for the ring. Then he’d pay off Megan’s mortgage and start thinking about that training facility.

This morning, the sun was hot, the air at the ranch dry, when Nash leaned against the hood of his truck, staring down at his phone.

The Blackshaw Cattle Ranch was our favorite vacation yet.

From the incredible food, to the authentic cattle runs, to the cookouts overlooking the mountains . . . just wow! Five stars!!!

Nash smiled. Those one-star reviews were still there. They didn’t matter anymore. He couldn’t please everyone. He knew that, and he was pleasing the people who mattered now. For a long time, he got a lot wrong. It felt damn good to finally get things right.