To All the Cowboys I've Loved Before

by D. R. Graham

  Then Stuart pops up out of nowhere and says to Easton, “What is this gay heaven that you call a country bar and why have I never been invited here before?” After we all screech, he air kisses cheeks with me, mom, and Yulia.

  Seeing how ridiculously ecstatic I am makes Easton grin. If someone had told me yesterday that I would love him more today, I would have sworn to them it’s impossible. I would have been wrong. And now I’m crying again. “How did I get so lucky?”

  He reaches out to hug me into his chest. “I’m the lucky one. Della, will you marry me?”

  “Whaaaat?” I’m choking. I can’t breathe. Did he just? What? The tears are making my vision really blurry, but I think he’s holding up a diamond ring. I wipe my eyes. Yes, it’s a very big, gorgeous engagement ring. What is happening? He’s proposing. I feel like I’m dreaming. Everyone is looking at me. Agh. Easton just knelt down on one knee. People in the bar are cheering. I’m taking too long. He looks slightly worried. Speak, Della. Don’t leave him hanging. “Yes. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you!” I drop to my knees and fling my arms around his neck. We’re on the floor of a bar. It’s sticky, ew. We just got engaged. Everyone’s whistling and clapping. I can’t believe it. Holding his face between my palms I lock eyes with him. Everything about this moment is so perfectly surreal and wacky. “Easton Everley Havie Lewis, you are a very unusual person.” I kiss him and then add, “The good type of unusual.”

  “So are you Della Koskov.” He slides the ring on my finger. “I can’t wait to have some unusual half-Russian and half-Mohave kids with you, so we can take them to the racist Russian’s deli and order some delicious sandwiches.”

  I rest my forehead on his, grinning as Tennessee Whiskey starts to play on cue. “I can’t think of any better reason to have children than to rub it in the face of the racist Russian.”

  He laughs. “Would you like to dance with me, funny girl?”

  “I can’t dance, but I’ll press my body against yours and sway back and forth.”

  His eyebrow flicks in a sexy way as he wraps his hand around mine to help me to my feet. “That’s the best dancing. Why do you think I fell for you that night two years ago?”

  “I thought it was because I was going commando under my dress.”

  His eyes open wide, then he bursts out laughing and leads me to the dance floor. Guaranteed all my blood relatives are currently having flashbacks to the Koskov wedding inferno incident from the last time they witnessed me attempt to dance. Yup. They’re all checking for the nearest fire extinguishers and emergency exits.

  I pull Easton by the belt buckle to step closer. “You’re my first fiancé, by the way.”

  “I figured.” He nods over my shoulder to make me look. His dad and Crystal are dancing.

  “Oh my goodness. So cute. Do you think your mom is happy right now?”

  Easton’s eyes water and he swallows hard before he nods. Then he hugs me against his chest and we sway to the crooning of Chris Stapleton.

  Best.

  Night.

  Ever.

  Also by D. R. Graham

  Other books by D. R. Graham

  Put It Out There (Britannia Beach Series)

  What Are the Chances? (Britannia Beach Series)

  And Then What? (Britannia Beach Series)

  Rank

  One Percenter (Noir et Bleu MC Series)

  The Handler (Noir et Bleu MC Series)

  It Is What It Is (Noir et Bleu MC Series)

  The Noir et Bleu (Noir et Bleu MC Series)

  Hit That And You’re Dead

  Acknowledgements

  When I set out to write this project, I didn’t intend for it to be a romantic comedy. Then Della started talking and kept making me laugh. I sent the draft of the first four chapters to my mom and asked, “Is this funny? It wasn’t supposed to be.” My mom agreed that Della was an amusing goofball, then she urged me to write quickly so she could find out what happened next with Easton. Sadly, my mom passed away before I completed the manuscript. So, now, this story will always hold a special place in my heart and remind me of those last light and lovely laughs with my mom. I hope you enjoy Della and Easton as much as we did.

  I’d like to thank Denise Jaden, Paige Gregory, Laura Jones, Romy Sommer, Rasa Cortes, and Erica Ediger for reading early drafts of the manuscript and providing invaluable feedback. Thanks to Brian Tingle for technical advice on prospecting. And thank you to Elley Gunter who named Della after winning a RodeoChat contest. Bridget Thomas won the contest to name Easton. My editorial director Charlotte Ledger is a superstar—I owe her so much, and more people should aspire to be as kind and professional as she is. Thank you also to Kate Ellis and the entire team behind the scenes at HarperImpulse and HarperCollins Publishers.

  And thank you to Sean, the hero of my own personal romantic comedy.

  D. R. Graham is a multi-published author who lives in Vancouver, Canada. She worked as a social worker with at-risk youth prior to becoming a psycho-therapist in private practice. Her novels deal with issues relevant to young adults in love, transition, or crisis.

  @drgrahambooks

  www.facebook.com/‌drgrahambooksauthor/

  www.drgrahambooks.com

  About HarperImpulse

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