My Cowboy Proposal Bonus Scene
Sunny
The late afternoon sun spreads across the front yard grass as the last day of summer is beginning to close for the year, and a hint of fall hangs in the air. Another day in Lucky River is ending, and I’m thinking about what I wrote in my journal this morning.
I wrote that I’m so thankful this is my life. How much I love my husband and children. How every day I get another chance to love and be loved.
A squeal of laughter gets my attention. Our four-year-old son, Jamie, runs through the yard, dragging a fake sword my sister Rainee bought for him. He’d insisted on wearing Kurt’s Stetson that’s too big for him and it keeps drooping down to cover his eyes.
He loudly proclaims he’s arrived to wrangle all the cows and save the ranch from “them outlaws.”
His baby sister watches his antics from the front porch swing where she’s nestled between Gavin and Frances where they’re doting on her as usual.
“Honey, he can’t see where he’s going,” I say.
“I noticed,” Kurt says, a picture of complete calm like he hasn’t slid across the yard or a floor in time to catch our boy hundreds of times. “But he’s okay. The grass is soft.”
Like he’s part of a drama production, Jamie suddenly flops face first into the grass. He rolls over, flinging his arms out. “Cowboy down.”
Kurt laughs and picks him up, giving him a hug. “Nah, you’re alright, little boots. What do you say?”
Jamie points his finger toward the sky repeating what he and Kurt say to each other every morning, “It’s a good day to be a cowboy.”
I laugh as Kurt lowers our son to his feet and he’s off like a shot.
My husband glances at me and our eyes lock. Even now, years later, I still feel the impact of his gaze. His eyes are tender and filled with love and promises kept.
I’m living the dream. A handsome, loving cowboy, adorable kids, our wonderful extended family and friends and the wide-open Texas sky. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
After Jamie runs over to sit with Gavin and Francis, Kurt jogs toward me.
His jeans are old and faded and because he’s put on more muscle, he fills them out even better. I do my fair share of checking him out, that’s for sure.
His hair is windswept and he has lines near his eyes and around his mouth because laughter is the music of our home.
He’s a man who has shown me time and again what it means to be the center of someone’s world. He knows how to give me exactly what my heart needs.
Kurt reaches me and tangles his fingers in my hair before stepping closer so our bodies press together.
“You like having your hands in my hair,” I murmur.
“And you like having your hands in mine. Especially when I’m about to—”
I quickly cover his mouth with my hand. “Behave. We’re not alone.”
He lowers my hand. “But you like it when I misbehave.”
As if to prove a point, he steps in front of me, blocking me from view of the porch and kisses me. Hard. Possessive. Wicked.
“What was that about?” I tease when he pulls back.
“I’m accepting your invitation for later,” he whispers in my ear before tracing his thumb across his lower lip.
“I don’t remember sending you an invitation,” I tease, spreading my fingers out across his broad chest.
“I’m the star of your fantasies. I’m always invited.”
I affect an expression of innocence and pretend to ponder. “What fantasies?”
He arches an eyebrow. “Want me to detail the ones of yours we’ve already done or the ones I know you want?”
“Are you keeping a list?”
He taps his head. “I’ve got your wish list memorized.”
“My wish list?” I sputter. “I don’t have a wish list so you can’t be talking about personal toys.”
He shakes his head. “This cowboy is the toy. I can run all night. No batteries needed.”
I sigh. “What am I going to do with you and that big ego of yours?”
“Big ego? I guess you could call it that. Why don’t we? It’ll be our new, private name.”
I turn and start walking off and then a second too late, I hear him rushing up behind me.
Then I’m airborne as he swoops me into his arms.
I loop my hands around his neck as he strides toward the house where his parents watch in amusement.
Contentment spreads through me. “I love you so much,” I tell him. “You’re the perfect husband.”
“I’m just a boy who fell in love with his best friend and was lucky that she loved him back.” Then he stops walking for a second to kiss me softly and whisper against my lips. “Kurt will always love Sunny.”
