Tempting Love (Cowboys & Angels 3)
Fuck, why did he have to turn this shit around on me? “You know what I mean, dude. Just don’t say anything to Mary. She’ll never let me eat over here again.”
He shook his head. “I’m not going to bring it up. Hell, I slept with plenty of girls before I settled with Mary. Just knowing she was with a Parker brother makes me feel sick. Y’all have golden dicks.”
It was my turn to laugh. “Golden dicks?”
He shrugged. “I heard a girl say it once after Cord got it on with her at the bar. She was bragging to her friends.”
I lost it laughing, holding my side. Robert joined in. When I was able to speak, I said, “I’m making a T-shirt for Cord that says that!”
He rolled his eyes and wiped his face. “Dude, you all need one. I’m serious.”
“What’s so funny?” Mary asked, walking into the barn.
Robert stood quickly. “Hey, why didn’t you call? You don’t have to be driving down here on that bumpy road.”
When she smiled at him, I could feel the love between them. They were soon lost in a kiss, and I found myself looking away, an ache in my chest I was trying to ignore.
When they were finished, she said, “I tried to call. Your phone must be turned down or something.”
Robert pulled out his phone and glanced at the missed call. “Damn. I’m sorry, baby. Mitch, you hungry?”
“For biscuits and gravy? Hell, yeah.”
“Sausage gravy. I had a hankering,” Mary said, wiggling her brows.
I walked behind the two of them. “Beggars can’t be choosers.”
Watching Robert and Mary walk hand in hand to the truck, my heart continued to ache in that strange, building way. Maybe it was time I admitted to myself what I really wanted.
Paxton placed Gage in my arms as I sat in the oversized chair.
“Isn’t he pretty, Corina?” Chloe asked, staring down at her baby brother.
“He is. Just like you, Chloe. How do you like being a big sister?”
She stood a little taller. “Oh, I love it! I’m a great big sister too. Mommy says she couldn’t do it without me.”
Paxton sat down on the sofa, a wide smile across her face. I was so happy for my best friend. She’d found her happily ever after.
“I bet she couldn’t,” I said. “Daddy helps too, right?”
Chloe nodded. “Yes, but he gags when Gage goes number two. He said he did with me too!” She covered her mouth and giggled. “It’s stinky!”
Laughing, I glanced over to find Steed and Paxton lost in each other’s eyes. The emptiness in my chest grew a little more as I looked back at Gage.
“Have you heard from Amelia again?” I asked as I ran my fingertip over Gage’s cheek. He was sound asleep and the most precious thing I’d ever seen.
Paxton sighed, “No! Have you?”
I shook my head, “Nope. She only sent me the one text that said she had something big to tell us when she got home from New Orleans.”
“Yeah, she sent that to Waylynn and me as well.”
“Let’s hope she didn’t do something crazy and get married,” Steed said with a light-hearted chuckle. My eyes lifted to meet Paxton’s. Neither of us had to say a word. We both knew that was exactly what had happened.
Paxton smiled bigger. “You never know with Meli.”
Steed tossed his head back to laugh, but stopped abruptly. “You don’t think they did, do you?”
Paxton shrugged. Steed looked at me. I laughed and added, “I’m not saying anything.”
“Do you think Wade and Aunt Meli will bring back a surprise for me and Gage?”
Steed gazed down at his daughter. “I bet so, pumpkin.”
Chloe jumped up, her face lighting up like she’d remembered something important. “Corina! I drew you a picture. It’s in my room. I’ll go get it!”
I giggled and nodded. “I can’t wait to see it!”
Watching Chloe run off, I turned back to Steed. He stood and paced the floor. “They got married. I have this weird feeling they did. Pax, do you think Amelia would do that?”
She nodded.
“Mom and Dad will freak out!” Steed said.
Paxton stood and took Steed’s hands. “Steed, calm down. Your folks are not going to care if they really did get married, which I really think they did. All they want is for y’all to be happy.”
“Besides, if they did get married, we could always throw a reception,” I added. “So much more fun, and less stress!”
Steed nodded. “You’re right. This would totally be something I could see both of them doing.”
Paxton sat down, pulling Steed with her. “Especially with everything that has happened with Wade. Knowing his history, I have a feeling he likes to live in the moment and not waste a second of it.”
“That’s true,” Steed said, “but if they did get married, we have a problem bigger than my parents.”
“What’s that?” Paxton asked.