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The breath left her lungs, her legs turned to rubber, and the only thing keeping her tethered to this earth was the intensity of his gaze and the firmness of his grip. “We’re doing this?”
“It’s a huge decision. You need to give it some thought. But for me, it’s a yes. There’s nothing I want more than for you to stay.”
* * *
Jaime stood in the middle of the boutique. It was an explosion of frilly, frothy, white fabric.
A pink velvet ottoman served as seating for the bride’s entourage and no more than twenty gowns filled the racks with their tulle, silk, and feathery glory. “These are wedding gowns.”
“Yep.” Grace spoke quietly, her arm slung through his. “Custom. We’re talking twenty thousand dollars a dress.”
“Then why did my mom suggest this place?” He pulled out his phone to check the list she’d sent. This shop was the first. “They’re supposed to have princess gowns for little girls.”
“I’m sure they have flower girl dresses. It’s the perfect place for what Kinny wants.”
Of course, the minute he’d stepped inside, his daughter had gasped and raced to the other end of the shop. She was currently lost in clouds of tulle.
“Let me get some help.”
He watched Gracie head to the counter. In her white shorts and flowy blouse, she was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. Every time he looked at her, his gut tightened with lust. It had been that way from the moment she’d sat across from him on the plane.
Only now, there was another layer. Friendship, a companionship unlike anything he’d ever known.
And—miracle of all miracles—she wanted to stay.
He’d jumped right in—told her to do it. And he didn’t regret it. Not at all. But he had to wonder if they’d both moved too quickly. Shouldn’t they give it more thought?
He just didn’t want to still be that reckless fucker who pursued his own interests without a thought for the people who might get hurt by his actions.
Because he had to consider one simple fact: he wouldn’t leave his family to move to Duff Island. So, how could he expect her to do it?
Fortunately, Gracie’s laughter tore him out of his wretched thoughts. She crouched beside Kinny at a rack of little girl-size dresses. He ached with affection for her. For the life his daughter would have with Gracie in it.
He might not deserve all this goodness, but he was going to take it.
If she wanted to be with them, he was abso-fucking-lutely going to take it.
Gracie caught him watching and waved him over. When he got there, she said, “I think Kinsley found one she likes.” She stood, pulling the dress off the rack.
Eyes wide with awe, his daughter pointed to the beaded tulle ballgown with a pink satin belt. “I love it, Daddy. I love it so much.” She gazed up at him. “Can I have it?”
“Isn’t it too much for a dance?” Jaime asked, though he knew he would buy it. Even if she just wore it on her balcony to survey her kingdom.
“No. It’s perfect. I want it so much, Daddy. Please, please, please.” She was bouncing in place, barely able to contain her enthusiasm.
In his irrational attempt to keep her safe, he’d denied her so much in life. Adventure, experience, physical challenges. “Why don’t you go try it on? See if it fits.” He couldn’t deny her this.
“Let’s go, Gracie.” Kinny took off to the dressing room.
They followed, but on the way, Gracie checked the price. With a horrified expression, she mouthed, “Four hundred dollars.”
He nodded.It’s fine.
“What kind of dance is it?” Gracie asked.
“It’s the annual Rancher’s Ball. My dad’s the president of the Wyoming Rancher’s Association, so we have to go.”
“This dress might be a little much.”
