Catching the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch 2)

“Adam,” she says my name, stopping me. “Yes, you should’ve told me what was going on sooner, and I should’ve confronted you about Chelsea. We’re gonna need to work on communicating if we want this to work long-term.”

I nod in agreement. Rowan’s my everything and future. The last thing I want is to fuck it all up. “Definitely. Complete transparency from now on, Scout’s honor.”

She snorts. “You weren’t a Boy Scout.”

“I totally could’ve been!”

Dawson starts giggling at our laughter. “You think I’m funny, right?” I smirk.

He nods and starts talking. I love hearing him ask questions and point at things.

“He’s precious,” Rowan swoons. “Definitely your mini.”

I hate that they have to leave today. “I’m gonna miss him.”

Chelsea stands and frowns. “He’s gonna miss you, too.”

Holding back my emotions, my throat goes dry, but I nod. This is all so new, yet it feels natural. I was meant to be Dawson’s dad.

Diesel: Hey, I’m back. Wanna sneak over here? ;)

After everything that went down at the B&B, it was time to take Chelsea and Dawson to the airport. I hated saying goodbye, but I made plans to visit in a few weeks. Until then, we’ll FaceTime, and she promised to send me daily pictures of him.

Rowan: You know we don’t have to hide anymore, though it was kinda fun…maybe you should leave your window open for me, and I’ll crawl in.

Diesel: You know the entire town knows by now anyway.

Rowan: Yep. My parents already had “the talk” with me after you left. Then my grandma. It was embarrassing…I had to keep reminding them I was twenty-three years old and not a child anymore.

Diesel: They think I corrupted you now, don’t they?

Rowan: Ooooh yeah. Riley’s still walking around with a pissed-off expression. I hope I didn’t ruin your friendship.

Diesel: Nah, he’ll get over it. We’ll be laughing over beers in no time.

Rowan: I hope so. Zoey already texted me and said he was grunting around the house.

I shake my head as I envision my best friend having a fit. He should know by now that I’d never intentionally hurt Rowan, but I can’t fault him for being protective. I am too.

Diesel: I’ll see him tomorrow and clear the air. He already got one hit in, so we should be even.

Rowan: Okay, good. Then I don’t feel so bad coming over.

Diesel: Well, I did punch your ex for you. Again. You kinda owe me…

She sends me an eye-roll emoji, and I laugh.

Rowan: Be right there.

We haven’t been alone since our date two weekends ago, and I’m dying to have her all to myself again.

When I hear her car pull up, I rush to the door and whip it open. I don’t bother waiting for her to get to the house before I walk toward her. As soon as she parks and gets out, I pin her to the side and claim her mouth.

Rowan wraps her arms and legs around me as I press my body into hers. She groans against my mouth as I slide my tongue between her soft lips.

“I missed you so fuckin’ much,” I tell her. We hardly talked or saw each other for a week, and it was miserable. “I was devastated when you wouldn’t answer my calls or messages.”

“I missed you too,” she admits. “I needed time to process it all.”

Setting her back on her feet, I tilt her chin, and she meets my eyes. “I know. We both did. But I want you in my life and hopefully Dawson’s too.”

“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Cowboy.” She smiles wide.

I blow out a relieved breath. “Thank fuck.”

“When will you see him again?” she asks as I take her hand and guide her into the house.

“Hopefully in three or four weeks. I’d like to go visit for a few days. After that, I’m not sure. We’re playing it by ear.”

“Maybe she’ll decide to move here.”

We walk to the kitchen so I can get her something to drink. “Doubtful. She sounded pretty hell-bent on staying in Phoenix.”

“I don’t know…” Rowan sing-songs when I hand her a bottle of Bud. “She and Trace were hitting it off at the B&B.”

“Trace?” I muse.

“Yep,” she says with a smile, popping the p. “Trace was smooth-talking her, and she was eating it up like candy.”

“I better not have to punch his face in,” I growl.

“Trust me, Chelsea was all over it. You wouldn’t have to worry about Trace. He’s really one of the good ones around.” I give her a pointed look. “We’re only friends!” she reiterates, chuckling. “The most we ever did was kiss, but there was no real spark between us.”

“He does seem nice, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. However, it’s unlikely she’d move here just for a guy. She won’t for her son’s father.”

“Maybe she’ll surprise you and do it for all three of you.”