“He misses you.”
“He said that?”
“Not in so many words, but he asked me where you were. I told him you were in the bunkhouse. He wanted to talk about you, and I had to tell him I wasn’t supposed to.”
He groaned. “I didn’t mean you couldn’t talk to Georgie about me. That would have been fine.” More than fine.
“Well, you didn’t say that, so I was sticking to the rules.”
“I appreciate that.” Everybody had been great, including Claire. He’d requested zero interference and they’d all complied. “And you’re right. I should have been more specific regarding Georgie.”
“It’s okay.” She gazed at him with eyes that held more wisdom than any eight-year-old he’d ever met. “Anna’s sad.”
He sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry to hear that. But did you have a nice time?”
“We did, but it was… different.”
“Different?”
“Georgie didn’t wear his Spiderman suit. I love seeing him wear it with his hat. It’s hysterical.”
“But he only did that to hide from me.”
“I guess, but I think he got a charge out of putting on a disguise. Tonight wasn’t quite as… interesting.”
Zeke smiled. “It’s about to get even less interesting, sweetheart. Bedtime.”
“Is it? Can I look at your phone, Uncle Garrett? I’ll bet it’s not nine yet.”
He picked it up from the table and handed it to her. “Read it and weep.”
“Oh, shoot, it’s past nine! How did it get so late? I—” The phone pinged with a text and her eyes widened. “It’s from Anna!”
His heart stalled. “Give it to me.”
She handed it over. “You’re supposed to say please.”
“Sorry.” He tapped the screen.
Georgie has asked to see you before he goes to bed. He has something to show you. Could you possibly come over now? Please?
He closed his eyes and ducked his head as he struggled to control a very unmanly reaction. Breathe, dude. Just breathe.
“Uncle Garrett?”
“He needs a moment, sweetheart.”
Dragging in air, he lifted his head and handed the phone to Zeke.
“Oh, wow.” He smiled. “That’s more like it.”
“Can I see, Daddy?”
“That’s up to your Uncle—”
“She can see.” Garrett stood, his legs a little shaky, his breathing still not up to par. “And I’m outta here.”
“Go for it, man.” Zeke clapped him on the shoulder. “Should we expect you back, do you think?”
“I don’t know.” He stared at Zeke. “I’ll take this one second at a time.”
“Wise move.”
Claire hugged him around the waist. “Go get ’em, tiger.”
He laughed. “Thanks, sweetie. I don’t know what we ever did without you around here.”
“I don’t, either.” She gave him a grin.
He carried her grin and Zeke’s encouragement with him as he drove over to Anna’s. He parked fast and made it to her door even faster.
She answered his knock, her eyes wide with surprise. “You’re here! When you didn’t text back, I thought—”
“I didn’t?” He shoved his hand in his coat pocket. No phone. He’d left it with Zeke. “Guess I didn’t. Sorry about that.”
“It doesn’t matter. Come in.”
“You look beautiful.”
Her smile trembled. “So do you.”
He stepped inside. “You said Georgie—”
“I maded you a Val-tine.” The little boy stood back, his hat pulled down, his expression cautious. He clutched a big red paper heart that looked exactly like the one from the fridge.
“You did?” Throat tight, he crouched down and thumbed back his hat.
Georgie approached slowly and held it out.
He took it carefully in both hands. It was the same one he’d seen on the fridge, two circles with dots for eyes and wavy smiles to represent Georgie and his mom. If Georgie wanted to pass it off as brand new, he’d take it and be grateful. “Thank you very much. It’s a terrific Valentine.”
“I know.”
“Turn it over,” Anna murmured.
He flipped the heart. The same two circles were on the other side, but underneath was a third, also with dots for eyes and a wavy smile. He swallowed. Blinked a couple of times.
At last he trusted himself to look up. Georgie had crouched down and pushed back his hat. His hopeful expression split Garrett’s heart wide open. “Is this me?” He pointed to the third circle.
Georgie nodded. “I maded it.”
“Wonderful job.”
“Yep.”
Now what? He held up the Valentine. “Should I take this with me?”
Georgie looked stricken. “You goed home?”
He sucked in a breath. “You don’t want me to?”
“No. Stay here. In my house.”
He glanced at Anna. Was this for real?
She made a little sniffling sound, but her gaze was steady. “You should stay in our house. If you want to.”
They wanted him to stay. Both of them.
“I want to.”
“Okay!” Georgie smiled.
He’d never seen Georgie smile. If the little boy hadn’t already captured his heart, that smile would have clinched the deal.
Anna blew her nose. “It’s Georgie’s bedtime.” Her voice was thick with emotion. “Make yourself at home. I won’t be long.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
Leaving his coat and hat on the coat tree, he sat on the couch and listened to the soft murmurs of Anna putting Georgie to bed.
The light in the bedroom flicked out. “Goodnight, Georgie.”
“Grit’s here, Mama.”
“Yes, he is. Sweet dreams, son.” She appeared and started toward him.
He rose to his feet. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
She came straight into his arms and tilted her tear-streaked face to his. “I can’t, either.” She wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. “I’m so sorry I gave up on us.”
“Georgie didn’t.”
“Because you’d worked your way into his heart. Clearly he idolizes you.”
He soaked up the emotion shining in her dark eyes. “How about his mama?”
“I don’t idolize you.”
“Guess I have more work to do, then.” He leaned down. “More kissing, more—”
“I love you.”
He stared at her.
“Are you surprised?”
His brain struggled to believe, but his heart was totally into it. “Yes, ma’am. You said you were involved, but that’s not the same thing.”
“It is the same thing. I just wouldn’t admit it. How could I not love you? You’re everything I’ve ever wanted. For me, and for my son. On top of that, you love me.”
“Figured that out, did you?”
She nodded.
“Ready to hear me say it?”
The glow in her eyes grew brighter. “Can’t wait.”
He framed her face with both hands and held her gaze. “I love you, Anna. I love your devotion to Georgie, your can-do spirit, your generous heart and your shimmy. I’m crazy about your shimmy.”
“Was that the clincher?”
“No, the clincher came much earlier.”
“When?”
“The first time I kissed you. And every time since then.” He leaned closer. “Including this one.” He touched his lips to hers, his heart filled with gratitude for this moment and the promise of all the ones that lay ahead.
But Wait, There’s More!
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Also by Vicki Lewis Thompson
The Buckskin Brotherhood
Sweet-Talking Cowboy
Big-Hearted Cowboy
Baby-Daddy Cowboy
True-Blue Cowboy
Strong-Willed Cowboy
Secret-Santa Cowboy
Stand-Up Cowboy
* * *
The McGavin Brothers
A Cowboy’s Strength
A Cowboy’s Honor
A Cowboy’s Return
A Cowboy’s Heart
A Cowboy’s Courage
A Cowboy’s Christmas
A Cowboy’s Kiss
A Cowboy’s Luck
A Cowboy’s Charm
A Cowboy’s Challenge
A Cowboy’s Baby
A Cowboy’s Holiday
A Cowboy’s Choice
A Cowboy’s Worth
A Cowboy’s Destiny
A Cowboy’s Secret
A Cowboy’s Homecoming
* * *
Sons of Chance
What a Cowboy Wants
* * *
Wild About You
Werewolf in Manhattan
Werewolf in the North Woods
Werewolf in Seattle
Werewolf in Denver
Werewolf in Alaska
Werewolf in Las Vegas
* * *
The Nerd Series
Nerd in Shining Armor
The Nerd Who Loved Me
Nerd Gone Wild
Gone with the Nerd
Talk Nerdy to Me
Nerds Like It Hot
My Nerdy Valentine
About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Vicki Lewis Thompson’s love affair with cowboys started with the Lone Ranger, continued through Maverick, and took a turn south of the border with Zorro. She views cowboys as the Western version of knights in shining armor, rugged men who value honor, honesty and hard work. Fortunately for her, she lives in the Arizona desert, where broad-shouldered, lean-hipped cowboys abound. Blessed with such an abundance of inspiration, she only hopes that she can do them justice.
Connect with Vicki online!
VickiLewisThompson.com
[email protected]
Stand-Up Cowboy Page 19