“You keep doing what you’re doing with Winnie. I’m working on this.”
Once dinner is in the oven, I set a timer and circle the bar to where she’s sitting. Her hands are on my waist, and she looks up at me. “I was thinking today how Winnie is my family now, too.”
“I like hearing you say that.” Using my thumb, I slide a curl away from her eyes. “I know we’ve got a little ways to go, but we’re going to win this.”
“Is it a race? Or a war.”
Thinking about the question, I don’t like either of those options. “It’s a test.”
24
Angel
Deacon’s bland signature dish is actually the perfect comfort food for my sensitive stomach. We curl up on the couch, bowls in hand and while he has a glass of dry white wine, I stick to carbonated water.
He’s holding a linen envelope from the stack of mail he sorted before we sat down. “The Cattleman’s Masque is this weekend.”
“What’s that?” Taking another bite, I snuggle deeper into his overstuffed leather couch.
While he finished cooking, I changed into one of his sweatshirts and a pair of boxer shorts and thick socks. I’m surrounded by fresh linen, citrus, and yummy Deacon scent.
“It’s this big, annual fundraiser every year at the Palace Casino.” He takes out an elegantly engraved invitation with script writing, tissue, and double envelopes.
“The Palace?” I scoot up higher on the couch, taking it from him and reading the formal invitation. “I don’t know how to gamble.”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s just a bunch of people with too much money standing around gossiping.” He takes a bite of dinner. “They’ll gamble and raise all the money.”
“What for?”
He shrugs, setting his bowl aside and takes a sip of wine. “One year it was Keeping Texas Wild… I think they stole that from Austin’s stay weird campaign. Another year it was to protect the Mustangs or their habitat—”
“Oh! I love that one!” Sitting higher, I think about Spirit. “What’s this year’s?”
“Does it say on the invitation?”
Turning the paper in my hand, “I don’t see anything.”
“Winnie would know.” He reaches for me, pulling me onto his lap. “I told her I was bringing a date this year.”
He smiles up at me, and I put my hands on his neck, leaning down to kiss his soft lips. “Who were you planning to ask?”
“I had this one girl in mind.” He kisses my neck, and I close my eyes, loving the feel of him strong in my arms. Loving the heat he stirs in me with his mouth. “She’s really pretty. She’s actually my wife… In a way.”
Leaning back, my stomach squeezes when I catch his mischievous blue eyes. “I thought you were a single guy.”
“No way.” He kisses me again. “I’m married to the most beautiful girl you’ve ever seen.”
“You don’t say.”
Scooping his hands under my butt, he stands in one fluid movement, carrying me to his bedroom. “I do say.” He tosses me on the bed, and I laugh as I barely bounce on the firm mattress. “What’s the word, beautiful? Go with me as my date to this snooty function where all of my aunt’s friends will be there showing off?”
“Wait… All of Winnie’s friends will be there?” My stomach twists, and I feel scared and a little anxious. “Are you sure—”
“I’m positive.” He leans across the bed, resting his fists on the mattress on either side of me. “I’m going to show you off—and who knows, I might have solved your family’s problem by then, too.”
“What will I wear?”
With a quick kiss, he straightens. “I’ll give you my card and you can get whatever you want from Nieman’s. Ask one of the clerks to help you. It’s formal, so go all out.”