The Cowboy’s Curvy Librarian Bonus Scene

I’m amazed at how beautiful my life has become. Looking back over the years with my handsome cowboy, it’s easy to see I’m the luckiest woman in the world. Five years have passed since I said, “I do.”

It was the best decision of my life. I’ve gained more than I could have ever imagined was possible.

Luke fills every single empty place in my heart and never fails to tell me how much he loves me. How much I matter in his life.

I step outside into the Texas night. Summer went by in a blur and already the scent of fall is in the air. Edison lights cast a warm, amber glow over the back porch.

I bypass the cushioned swing to sit on the steps instead. Kicking off my shoes, I tuck my legs up so I can wrap my arm around them.

I look across the lawn to watch Luke where’s he working in the middle of the backyard. He’s wearing a pair of older jeans and a plain white T-shirt.

He skipped shaving for a couple of days and the stubble on his face make him look even sexier than he usually does.

He’s surrounded by piles of lumber, some already cut. His tools are scattered around him, and he has a pencil tucked behind one ear.  He reaches for it and begins to mark another board to cut.

Since I sat down, he’s patiently answered every single question our four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Emma, asks him. She peppers him nonstop then tells him she wants a dinosaur.

She tugs on his hand, wanting to go find one.

“Daddy will make you a dinosaur,” Luke says.

Satisfied with that, Emma lets go of his hand, then spots a tool and reaches for it.

Luke instantly stops her, closing his hand over it before she can touch it.

“That’s not meant for little fingers right now. But in the future, when you’re old enough, I’ll teach you how to use it.”

My cowboy was born to be a father just as much as he was born to be mine. The first day I saw him as I’d lassoed him at the charity event, I’d thought he was handsome.

I blink back tears as the overwhelming goodness of everything hits me. I’m so thankful for every second, every moment with him, in this beautiful story of us that we’re creating.

Luke wipes his brow and leans back to study the plans for Emma’s playhouse.

Yesterday, as soon as Luke had walked in the front door, before he could even take off his Stetson, Emma had launched herself at him, her small arms encircling one knee, her grinning face turned up to his.

She was a daddy’s girl through and through. Her favorite way to play dress up wasn’t with my high heels but with her daddy’s boots.

Luke had scooped her up into his arms and she’d asked for a playhouse, then wanted it to be a castle. She’d known he would do anything she asked. Like bring home kittens she’d wanted from the shelter for the fifth time.

My home, like my heart was full.

Luke yawns and I’m not surprised. First thing this morning, the minute everything in town opened, Luke had taken off to buy the lumber and material to create a turret and roof.

As soon as I’d managed to get Emma to make a half-hearted attempt to eat breakfast, I’d driven her to the store to pick out decorations for the inside of the playhouse.

She’d skipped along beside me, her hand in mine. Her eyes, just like her father’s, had shone with joy.

My heart squeezes as I see her crawl into Luke’s lap and rest her head against his chest. Her eyes droop and she opens them again to ask him something I don’t quite catch.

Luke drops the measuring tape and holds her, rocking back and forth, singing softly to her—probably the same song she is always asking him to sing.

Her eyes drift shut again and when she is sleeping soundly, he rises, carefully stepping around the wood he’s already cut.

I shake my head. “She’s got you wrapped around her finger.”

“Just like her beautiful mama does,” he responds.

He walks up on the steps and pauses to extend a hand to help me up. “Let’s put Emma down.”

I follow behind him as he walks into Emma’s room. I move a dozen stuffed toys out of the way, and he leans down and pulls back the covers on her princess bed. He softly presses a kiss to her cheek, then stoops and gently lowers her.

I straighten the blanket and turn on the night light.

In her sleep, Emma reaches for the teddy bear Luke’s parents gifted her and curls her little hand around it. I blink back tears, thankful that my little girl has this home, this life where she knows she’s loved. Where she has parents that will protect her and always be there for her.

As if he knows I’m thinking about my lonely childhood of being shuttled from one foster home to another, never wanted, never loved until now, Luke puts his arm around my waist, drawing me closer.

After a few minutes, Emma stirs. We quickly leave the room, pulling the door shut behind us.

Then we tiptoe away and into the living room. We know if we want any time alone, we have to grab it while she’s sleeping. And I need time alone with my man because I have a huge surprise for him.

“It’s getting chillier out at night now,” Luke says and goes around the room closing the windows.

“I know.” I rub my hands up and down my arms.

He notices and says, “I’ll light a fire.”

I grin and wink at him as a memory hits. “In me or the fireplace?”

He laughs. “Both. I’m really good at multitasking. As you know.” He gets the fire going and puts the safety grate back in place.

As he strides toward me, I hold a hand up to stop him. “There’s a problem.”

“What?” He looks over his shoulder at the fire, then back to me. “I don’t see anything.”

“Not in there. Outside.”

He goes to the door and steps out onto the porch, his gaze scanning the area.

I go out behind him and wrap my arms around his muscled body. I lean my face against his back. He smells like sunshine and love.

“Kate, honey, what’s the problem?” He shifts, turning in my embrace and locking his arms around me.

I let out a sigh. “The playhouse isn’t big enough.”

He frowns at that. “The way I drew up the plans, I figure she can use it until she’s about ten. After that, I guess she won’t want to as much anymore.”

“I mean, the playhouse needs to be big enough for another little cowgirl.”

Luke’s mouth opens. Closes. His eyes well up. “A baby? We’re having a baby?” He can barely choke the words out.

“Yes, we are,” I say. “The test was positive, and I confirmed it at the doctor’s appointment.”

He presses a hand over his heart. “I can hardly believe how lucky I am. Every day I wake up and see you and it gets me right here. You and Emma and now this new baby.” He swallows hard. “My family.”

He puts his hand on my stomach and I cover it with mine. He leans forward to kiss me and as he does, I think about much my story changed all because I got drunk and bought a house online.

I’d wanted a home of my own so desperately. At the time, I didn’t know that my home would end up being this cowboy’s heart. Now I’m living out the happily ever after I always dreamed of having.

***

If you loved Kate and Luke’s story, you’ll enjoy reading The Cowboy’s Curvy Fling with Mack and Penelope. Preorder the book now!