The Cowboy’s Curvy Trouble Bonus Scene
Echo
I swing down from the horse and lead him toward the ranch hand waiting to take the reins.
I’m thinking about how good life has been to me. In two days, Key and I will have been married eleven years. In a couple of hours, we’re leaving to travel to the mountain cabin in North Carolina that we rented.
As I walk toward the home that we’ve filled with love and three kids, my heart is singing even though I’m blinking back tears.
I don’t know what happened to make the time fly so fast. I don’t know how I said “I do” to my incredible husband one day and then the next, more than a decade passed.
Maybe time has flown by because we’re both so busy.
Three years ago, I bought out Marigold’s half of Dough Corner and since then I’ve been juggling the business and three kids. The first time my kids stopped by the shop for a snack after school the way I used to, it was like everything was brought full circle for me.
I survived a lonely, chaotic childhood until my brother Fury rescued me and brought me to Lucky River. Then I was surrounded by support and so much love. I had to learn to stop running away from the emotions associated with my past, but I did it.
Once I’m inside the house, I hear my amazing husband talking to our daughter Serenity Faith. He’s telling her she can’t come with us on the trip we’re taking to celebrate our anniversary.
Serenity pouts, then asks, “Can I stay with Grandma and Grandpa by myself? Do my brothers have to go? I don’t want them to.”
Key squats low so they’re eye-to-eye. He’s always so patient with the kids. “They can’t be here at the ranch alone.”
“Whyyyyy?” she whines.
“Because then they’d have fun here without you.”
She frowns at that and the fear of missing out wins. “I guess they can come with me. But Riley better stop acting like he’s the boss.”
“Honey, your older brother is just looking out for you. He wants to keep you safe.”
“No, Dad. He wants to be annoying.”
Over her head, Key meets my gaze and grins.
I’m struck by how handsome he is.
Sometimes I look at him and I’m in awe. He set the bar high when it comes to being a father and a husband.
Sure, we have days where we’re not each other’s favorite person but we’re over it at the end of the day. Mainly because the first year we were married, Key said unresolved issues pull at the threads of a relationship and that we needed to talk until we ironed out whatever bothered us.
It was hard for me at first because I was used to keeping my hurts bottled up.
Us ironing out issues often lasted well into the middle of the night followed by the same kind of passion that’s still between us today. The kind that makes me blush because my cowboy knows how to make me burn for him.
Like he can read my mind, Key gives me a knowing grin and stands. Putting his hands on Serenity’s shoulders, he steers her toward her room and instructs her to pack.
After she runs off down the hall, he does a slow walk toward me and I’m appreciating every second of the view my finely built cowboy presents.
“I’m going to shower, then pack.” I put my hand on his chest when he starts to follow me. “Alone.”
“When we’re at the cabin, I’ll have you singing a different tune,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my ear.
“Only if you’re good.”
“Honey, you know I’m good. Very good.”
“I don’t recall,” I say as I head to our bedroom.
“I’ll refresh your memory,” he says, chasing after me.
“We’re here!”
I grin when Key lets out a groan. “They’re early. My parents have the worst timing.”
“You go hand the kids off to them and if you do it fast enough, then you can join me.” I wag my eyebrows.
“Kids!” Key bellows. “Let’s go. Grandpa and Grandma are here, and they have to leave.”
“Son, we’re not in a hurry,” Louise says.
“Yes, you are.” Key claps his hands together. “Kids!”
“Where’s Echo? We can visit a spell before we have to leave,” Fred says.
“She’s in the shower, Dad and I still need to load the truck once I help get the kids on their way. Kids!”
I cover my mouth with my hand to hold back a laugh.
Seconds later, I hear the excited chatter of the kids as they greet Louise and Fred.
I stand in the bathroom and turn on the water, then undress and wrap a towel around me. I stand on the rug waiting until I hear Key rushing toward the bathroom.
When he comes into view, I say, “I just finished showering. We can put our stuff in the truck and hit the road now.”
Key’s shoulders slump and he looks crestfallen.
I can’t help but laugh at his expression. “I’m joking.”
“That’s mean,” he says, but laughs. “I nearly pulled a muscle rushing to get to you.”
“Mmm…do you need me to massage you?”
“Nah…” Then he sees that my gaze dipped south, and he quickly sheds his clothes. “Oh, yeah baby. Massage away.”
I laugh as he scoops me up and steps into the water.
“I love you,” I tell him.
“I love you, too,” he says, pushing my wet hair away from my face. “It’s funny how years ago, I thought you were trouble.”
“Aren’t you glad you were wrong?”
He shakes his head. “I wasn’t wrong. You’re exactly my kind of trouble. So perfect. I’ll never get enough of loving you. Of being with you.” He kisses me. “Happy anniversary, my beautiful wife.”
“Why don’t you show me how much you love me?” And he does.
We end up not leaving the ranch for a few hours. Then we load up and head for the highway, happy and in love like we always will be.
***
If you loved Key and Echo’s story, read The Cowboy’s Curvy Librarian for another hot cowboy who is good with his hands. 😉
