“I haven't had any sleep, so I'm probably even more a danger. How about we get something to eat and catch a few hours sleep and then head out together?”
“Okay,” she said wondering how long this relationship would last. She wished now that she'd accepted him when he asked her out last year. Who knows where they'd be today?
Toby slung his arm around her shoulders as they walked back to her horse. Checking to make sure she was taken care of, they took Toby's truck to the nearby diner. Radar was left safely ensconced in the horse trailer.
When they'd given their order, Toby took her hand in his.
“We have something to discuss,” he said, idly playing with her fingers.
“Oh?” She felt breathless again. Did he have any idea how he made her feel?
He glanced at her, then looked at their hands. He cleared his throat.
“I think we're good together,” he began.
“How so?” she asked. “Play acting in front of rodeo contestants?”
He looked directly at her. “Yeah, that, too. But in lots of other ways. We both love the rodeo, but don't plan to make it our life forever. We both like ranching, we want to build for the future.”
She nodded. Where was he going with this?
“You said once you don't date rodeo cowboys,” he said.
She nodded again. Her heart began pounding.
“But these last few days haven't been so bad, have they?”
She shook her head. Was he going to ask her out on a real date, not something just to fool anyone watching them?
“I know these last few days were a charade, so we could be together all the time and not raise suspicions. But I was thinking that maybe we could continue, not acting now but for real.”
Her eyes widened. “Continue seeing each other you mean?”
He nodded. Then made a wry face. “Actually, I think I want something more than that.”
“Okay, what exactly?” If her heart pounded any more strongly it'd jump out of her chest.
He swallowed. “I was thinking maybe marriage.”
Susannah's eyes almost popped out of her head. “What?”
“I know, I know it's way too soon, but I've been aware of you all season. Heck, I wanted to get to know you better last year. I've followed all your runs, saw you with others and wanted to know you better. Now that I do, I think we'd do really well together--on the rodeo circuit and afterward. You know Kyle and I are planning to start ranching in the next year or two, depending on when we can get the money together. You have some interest in that as well. You'd make a great rancher. And if you like, we could take in a couple of kids who don't have another home to live with us like those ranchers on Bootstrap Ranch. What do you say?”
Susannah didn't know what to say. She loved this man. But he hadn't mentioned anything about love. Sounded more like a business deal except he'd definitely said the M word.
“I'm making a mess of this, aren't I?” Toby asked. “What I should have started with is I love you, Susannah. I love everything about you from your silky blond hair, big blue eyes, your figure that won't quit to the way you care for your animals, to your love for adventure, to your stand on right and wrong. I've never loved anyone like this. I think it'll last forever. In fact I'm counting on it.”
“It's pretty fast, don't you think?” she asked, her heart racing. It wasn't too fast for her. She'd realized she loved Toby a day or two ago.
“Maybe, but when you're sure of something, you go for it. And if you say yes, we can have a long engagement, to get to know each other better and all. You don't have to answer now. Think about it. Think about me,” he said.
“I've been thinking about you nonstop since we began this charade,” she said.
“You have?” He looked startled, then pleased.
“I have. And I don't need time to think it over any more. I love you, and I'd be thrilled to become your wife.”
“Wow.” He grinned, rose and pulled her to her feet to wrap her in his arms and kiss her.
The entire diner erupted in applause.
Susannah knew she must be a bright red but she didn't care. Her heart blossomed with love for this rodeo cowboy.
When they sat back down, she smiled at him. “I don't need a long engagement, but do think we need to concentrate on getting to the nationals and winning some events? If I win any money, then I'll be able to contribute to the ranch as well. If it's to be my home, I want to be a part of it from the get go.”
“So a December wedding, then? Right after the finals? Then, with luck riding with us, after the honeymoon we'll start looking for that ranch.”
“That sounds perfect to me,” she said, reaching out to touch his hand, thrilled when he turned his palm up to hold hers.
“What about Kyle?” she asked.
“What about him?”
“How's he going to take all this?”
“He's fine with it. I told him last night I was going to ask you—if I got up the courage.”
She laughed. “A steer wrestler having to garner courage?”
“Well, my future was on the line with your answer. I promise I'll do my best to make sure you'll always be glad you threw in with me. I love you!”
“I love you.” Susannah knew she was throwing caution to the wind to tie her life to a rodeo cowboy's, but this time she was betting on a sure thing.
More Books in the Rodeo Knights Series
DEADLY FIRES by Margaret Daley
THE BULL RIDER’S PLEDGE by Marin Thomas
SWEET MONTANA SKY by Lisa Mondello
KNIGHT MOVES by Lenora Worth
COWBOY CHARADE by Barbara McMahon
HER COWBOY HERO by Debra Clopton
WILD AND RECKLESS by Cathy McDavid
RENEGADE by Laura Marie Altom
HER REBEL COWBOY by Stephanie Rowe
RIDE THE RIVER by Patricia McLinn
www.rodeoknights.com
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Cowboy Charade: Rodeo Knights, A Western Romance Novel Page 9