Kissing the Cowboy

by Kennedy Fox

  I smile, noticing the baby isn’t around. Before I can ask, Elle speaks up. “Grandma has her. She demanded I bring that baby to her today, or she was removing me from the will.”

  “Sounds serious.” I chuckle, then bring my attention back to Olivia. “Where are you goin’ all dressed up?”

  “We’re going trail riding!”

  Elle laughs. “I promised her if she kept her room clean and made all A’s, we’d plan a day. So here we are. Gotta make sure Sparkles gets her exercise.”

  Olivia lifts her hand for a high five, and I smack it. “Good job, kiddo. You’re awesome!”

  Uncle John sees Olivia, and she runs over to him.

  “Sorry for not inviting you,” Harper offers. “I thought you were working today.”

  “It’s no biggie. I was supposed to, but Connor’s handling it because we don’t make promises we can’t keep in our household. So horseback riding it is,” Elle tells her.

  “Have fun,” I say, and she gives me a wave.

  After we have all three hundred envelopes stuffed and addresses written on the front, I notice an evil grin on Harper’s face.

  “Whatcha doin’?” I ask as Hadleigh and the twins put stamps on each one that’s complete.

  I see Harper write Shayla’s name and address on one.

  “You are not sending her a save the date,” I mumble, leaning over to double-check.

  “Yes, do it!” Hadleigh encourages. “She deserves to have it rubbed in her smug face.”

  “I have to, Ethan. She needs to know I’m getting married to you the same day as her, you know since she’s still convinced this is all fake.”

  Knox snorts. “That’s the ultimate fuck you.”

  “It really is,” Kane adds. “But considering everything I’ve heard about the witch, it’s payback.”

  “See?” Harper says matter-of-factly as if her decision is justified.

  “Okay, when the twins are agreeing with you, it’s a dead giveaway that it’s a bad idea. But go ahead. She does need a slice of humble pie this holiday season.” I chuckle.

  “That would be a good name for a lotion.” Harper pulls her phone from her pocket and adds it to her notepad app. “Next year. Humble pie soap and lotion is happening.”

  Everyone laughs as Harper places a stamp on the corner of the envelope. “I just wish I could be a fly on the wall when she opens it and sees the photo and date.”

  “I actually do too,” I admit. “Might not have happened without her help, though.”

  Harper leans in and brushes her lips against mine. “I think it eventually would’ve.”

  I deepen the kiss and hear Knox gag before pulling away. “Might’ve taken a few more years, though,” I say, and the thought makes me sad.

  “You two are so lucky to have each other. Too bad there aren’t any decent men left.”

  Harper and her hold a silent conversation for a moment, and even I can feel the tension in the room. Thankfully Grayson enters with a scowl, covered from head to toe in mud.

  “What the hell happened to you?” I ask.

  The twins snicker with guilt, and I immediately know they had something to do with it.

  “Why don’t you two assholes tell them what you did?”

  Kane smirks, and Knox howls as Grayson rushes toward him.

  “It’s called a Bishop boobie trap!” Knox shouts, running out the front door of the B&B with Grayson chasing behind him. Kane explains how they hung a bucket of shit above one of the stalls when the door was opened.

  All I can do is shake my head.

  “Guess we better clean this mess up,” Kane says. “Don’t want Uncle John to find all this mud. He might kick our asses.”

  “You’re right. Better get to it then, considering you’re half responsible,” I say, shooing him away.

  “Do you think they’ll ever grow up?” Hadleigh asks when Kane is out of earshot.

  I laugh. “Sorry, but no. Not a chance in hell.”

  It’s Christmas morning, and I’m more excited about it than when I was a kid. I wanted to do something special for Harper and can’t wait to see her face when she sees it. I stayed at her house last night so I could wake up and open gifts with her. The start of one of our many traditions as a couple.

  While she’s still asleep, I slip out from under the blankets and start breakfast. Her cabin isn’t very big, so it doesn’t take long for the smells and sounds of frying bacon to wake her.

  Harper steps out wearing nothing but an oversize T-shirt and panties, then wraps her arms around my waist. “You’re too good to me. Want some coffee?”

  “Sure,” I tell her, and she gets it started.

  The small Christmas tree in the corner casts a warm glow in the room. Harper turns on some classic holiday music and hums along. Once the coffee’s finished brewing, she makes me a cup, then pours herself a glass of orange juice. I plate our food, and we sit at the tiny two-person breakfast nook and eat.

  “Oh my God, this tastes so good,” she says around a moan. “You can cook for me the rest of my life.”

  I grin. “Plan on it. No coffee?”

  “Nah, I wasn't in the mood this morning,” she says, shoveling a spoonful of eggs in her mouth.

  After we’re done eating, we go to the living room and sit in front of the tree. There are a few presents under it, and I’m so damn excited for her to see what I did.

  “Ready?” I ask.

  She smiles and nods. I hand her a small black box that has a red glitter bow wrapped around it. Carefully, she opens it but is completely confused when she sees a key.

  “What does this go to?” she asks, looking at it, trying to figure it out.

  “I know how much you’ve wanted more space for your business…”

  She gasps, covering her mouth. “No, you didn’t.”

  “I had a shop built by my office for you. It’s big enough for when you hire employees and grow. You’ll have all the space you need.”

  Harper squeals and nearly knocks me over when she wraps her arms around me and kisses me. “I have no idea how you were able to pull it off without me noticing.”

  “You’ve been so busy with work and planning the wedding that it was actually pretty easy. Next time you drive by the barns, you’ll see it on the side because it looks like part of the expansion.”

  “I don’t deserve you,” she says teary-eyed.

  “Of course you do. You deserve the world, and I’ll give you every bit of it that I can.”

  “Thank you. I can’t wait to see it and move all my stuff inside. Perhaps we’ll have some of the cabin back.”

  We sit back up, and I remember the other gift I have for her.

  “Oh, almost forgot,” I tell her, grabbing another present from under the tree.

  “Another gift? Now I feel like I didn’t do enough for you.” She frowns.

  “Being with me is enough,” I reassure her.

  She peels open the wrapping paper and opens the box. Pulling out a sheet of paper, she studies it. Now the tears are really pouring. “No way! We’re building a house too?”

  “You got it.” I beam as she studies the property. “This is where we’ll build,” I explain, showing her. “Not too far away from either of our parents' places, but it gives us our own space too. We have an appointment next week to go look at plans so we can pick out something that we can grow into as a family.”

  “Ethan,” she says between wiping her cheeks. “This is too much. All of it. But I’m so happy and can’t wait. You’ve given me so much.”

  “This is just the beginning, love.” I tilt her chin and capture her lips. “You and me. Forever.”

  “Welp, I guess it’s time for your gift. Give you a little taste of your own medicine.”

  She pulls a single bag from under the tree. There’s so much tissue paper in it that our space is nearly covered in red and white by the time I make it to the bottom of the bag. I pull out a box wrapped in paper. I rip it open only to find another sma
ller one inside.

  Harper reaches out, stopping me. “Wait. Before you open it, guess what it is.”

  I shake it, and it feels light. “I have no idea.”

  She grins, and I pull out material that’s light yellow. I lift it up, noticing it’s a baby onesie.

  Harper doesn’t take her gaze off me as I turn it around and read the front.

  “My daddy loves goats. And I love my daddy.”

  Swallowing hard, I read it again. “Are we…?”

  “Pregnant?” She excitedly covers her mouth and nods rapidly.

  Now I’m the one losing my shit. Happiness bubbles inside me, and I become emotional as I wrap my arms around Harper and slam my lips against hers. We fall back on the floor, crying and kissing.

  “We’re gonna have a baby?” I ask again, making sure I’m not imagining this.

  “I found out a few days ago. Took about a million pregnancy tests too.”

  “I’m so excited. You just gave me the best gift,” I say.

  She wipes under my eyes. “You gave me everything.”

  “I love you, Harper. I love you so damn much.”

  “I love you too. Guess it’s a good thing we’re building soon. Don’t think we can raise a house full of kids in the cabin.”

  I snort. “Nope, and I plan on keeping you pregnant for a while.”

  “Promise?” Harper swings her legs over mine until she’s straddling my hips.

  “You better believe it.” I smack her ass.

  She grinds against me, and I steady her waist. “I’m nervous to become a parent. I don’t know how to be a dad.”

  “Sure you do, Cowboy. You’ve had plenty of practice raising goats. Kids can’t be too much different, right?” She smirks, lowering under her lips almost touch mine.

  I laugh because she’s right. The goats have taught me a lot.

  After she peels off her panties, Harper pulls down my boxers. Soon, I’m inside her, and we make love lit by the Christmas tree lights. Our pants fill the room, and it doesn’t take long before we’re both losing control. Harper topples on my chest, and we lay there listening to the faint sounds of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

  “This time next year, we’ll be celebrating the holidays with a little baby.”

  I press my lips to her forehead and smile. “I can’t wait. I think this has been the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”

  “Me too,” she admits with a content sigh.

  Kissing her, loving her, and getting to marry her is a dream come true, but now I get to start a family with her too.

  I don’t know how life can get any better than this.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  HARPER

  It’s the happiest day of my life.

  Not only am I walking down the aisle but I’m also marrying Ethan—my best friend and the father of our son. A dream come true.

  The past four months have been crazy and busy as hell. Between morning sickness, planning our wedding, and working, the time has flown by. I can hardly believe the big day is here, but I’m so ready to have him as my husband.

  After Christmas, we announced the pregnancy, and I decided it was time to find help for the shop. Hadleigh’s little sister, Ivy, turned sixteen and got a car for her birthday, so I hired her to work evenings and weekends. It’s been a relief, especially since I get a wave of exhaustion every few hours.

  While we’re waiting for the house to be built, Ethan moved into the cabin with me. Now that I’ve got a real workspace by the goat farm, we see each other throughout the day and take lunch breaks together. Then in the evening, Ivy works for a few hours while I go home and relax or make dinner. It’s been a nice new schedule for us.

  “You look stunning, sweetie,” my mom says from behind me as we stare into the mirror. “I can’t believe you’re getting married.”

  I haven’t been able to stop smiling all day and grab a tissue when she starts tearing up.

  “You’re gonna ruin your makeup, Mom.” I face her and dab her cheeks.

  “Sorry, I can’t help it. You’re my only child and are about to have your own family. Makes me feel old.”

  I chuckle and carefully give her a hug. “You’re not.”

  Hadleigh, Kenzie, Kaitlyn, and Elle all enter with their bridesmaids gowns on. Since Kenzie and Kaitlyn don’t have kids to worry about, they’ve been a big help watching and playing with the little ones.

  Even though Ivy is a teenager, we’ve grown close like sisters, and I asked her to be a bridesmaid too.

  “You girls all look so good.” My mom grins.

  “Ethan told me to give you this…” Elle hands me an envelope with a wink.

  “Thanks. Can I get a minute?” I ask, wanting to read his letter in private.

  “Of course. We’ll go bug the groomsmen.” Kenzie snickers. I’m surprised she’s in such good spirits, considering Ethan paired her to walk with Grayson.

  Once the room is clear, I carefully sit and open it.

  To my future wife,

  It’s been a longtime dream of mine to be the one who gets to marry you and become your husband. Though it might seem rushed to some people, it feels like it’s been a decade in the making. Every day I fall more in love with you and what’s to come. I can’t wait to hold our son and watch you become his mom. The excitement I feel for our future is sometimes overwhelming, but I wouldn’t want to go through life with anyone else. You’re my forever.

  I know it’s considered bad luck to see each other before the ceremony, but we’re not really ones to follow the rules anyway. Meet me in the back room so I can give you your gift in person.

  Love you!

  Hmm…what are you up to, Ethan Bishop?

  With a cheeky grin, I sneak out of the bridal suite without getting caught and make my way down the hallway. When I hear hushed voices, I freeze and wait to make sure they’re not coming closer.

  “Fine. You finally ready to tell me what your deal is then?”

  Grayson’s voice.

  “You.”

  And Kenzie’s.

  “And what is it that I did?”

  They’re actually talking?

  “If you don’t know, that’s your problem,” Kenzie snaps, and I can just imagine the eye roll she gives him.

  “Woman! I swear. Just tell me so I can like, I don’t know, apologize?”

  Kenzie snorts. “I don’t want your apology.”

  “Then what do you want? What’s it gonna take for you to stop acting like a snotty princess?” Grayson sounds desperate, which I find hilarious. He really hates that he doesn’t know why she hates him.

  “I want revenge…” I hear the amusement in her tone. “And maybe then we’ll be even.”

  “You’re insane. I didn’t even do anything.” His voice fades as if he’s walking away.

  Once it’s silent for a minute, I continue walking and gasp when Ethan grabs my arm.

  “Babe!” I whisper-shout. “You scared me.”

  He cups my face and the corner of his lips tilt up. “Sorry. I was just so excited to see you.”

  I giggle. “We saw each other last night.” He slept in the cabin, and I stayed at my parents' house with Hadleigh and Ivy. We had a little pre-wedding girls’ night.

  “Too damn long.” He lowers his mouth and gently caresses his lips against mine. After we part, he lowers his eyes down my dress, and his smile widens. “You look breathtaking. Wow, baby.”

  “Really? I don’t look ten months pregnant?”

  “You’re beautiful,” he reassures me before lowering his palm to my stomach. “How’s our boy doing today?”

  “I’m hoping he lets me keep my food down. I’ve been snacking on crackers while everyone drinks.”

  He chuckles. “Sorry, love. Couldn’t help knocking you up.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “So you want your present?”

  “For what?”

  “A wedding gift.”

  I raise my brows, shocked but
feeling guilty I didn’t get him anything.

  “It’s really just an excuse to give you this.” He takes a box out of his pocket and hands it to me.

  “You’re too damn sweet.” I open it and eye a bracelet with a large black rectangle block on top. It almost looks like an Apple watch but different. “What is it?”

  He takes it out, and that’s when I notice he’s wearing one just like it. As he places it over my wrist, he explains.

  “It’s called a bond touch. Anytime you want to let the other person know you’re thinking of them or miss them, you just tap it, and it’ll vibrate on the other end. Then they can tap back.”

  “Seriously? That’s so awesome, babe.”

  Once it’s secure, I try it. Ethan holds out his arm, and I watch as it vibrates after I double tap mine.

  “This is seriously so thoughtful.” I tilt up my head and press my lips to his. “I feel so bad I don’t have anything to give you.”

  “Are you kiddin’ me? You gave me everything, love.” He cups my face and brings his forehead to mine. “Everything I’ve ever wanted.”

  “You ready to get married?” I ask when we part. “I’m pretty sure my mom’s gonna come lookin’ for me any minute.”

  He takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. “So damn ready.”

  The ceremony goes off without a hitch. The Bishops have always been kind but being welcomed to the family feels so good. After we say our I do’s, we take pictures for a couple of hours, then meet our guests for drinks and dinner at the town hall.

  “I remember the first time I looked at you and thought about how I wanted to kiss you,” Ethan tells me as we slow dance. “It scared me a bit, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it after that.”

  “When was that?”

  “Fourth of July, the summer I turned sixteen. We were lying together on a blanket watching the fireworks. I had my arm around you, and this sensation came over me when I looked at you. I was too nervous to make a move, though, so I just held you tighter because I knew that wouldn’t give me away since we always hugged. But man, sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if I had just done it.”