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“You don’t understand.”
“You’re damn right, I don’t. Just because your ex was a cowboy and treated you badly, doesn’t make us all bad,” he said in a low tone so Zoey wouldn’t hear him.
“He almost killed my daughter,” she hissed.
“I know, Dylan, and I hate him for that, because she’s a precious child, and I can’t imagine what you would have gone through, but he’s in your past. You can’t think just a cowboy would do what he did. A lot of good men are cowboys, and a lot of bad men aren’t.” Alex touched her hand. “I have never been so attracted to a woman so fast. Especially, since my divorce, and I’d love to get to know you. I can’t help it, I’m a cowboy. It’s how I was raised. This ranch belongs to my father and once he dies, I’ll inherit it and I plan on retiring here and raising horses. He has a hundred acres.” He shook his head. “I will always be a cowboy. It’s in my blood. I was born and raised on this ranch. I grew up working it and because of what I’ve seen with theft of livestock, I followed in my father’s footsteps, and his fathers before him, but we are all cowboys. As I said before, I won’t apologize for that. I’m a working cowboy. I will run this ranch when it’s mine.” He shrugged.
“Is your mother still living? You didn’t mention her.”
“No. She died about five years ago in a car accident.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. I miss her every day.”
“I know what you mean. I miss my dad too.”
“I know.” He sighed. “Dylan, I can’t help it I’m a cowboy. It’s how I was raised, and I will always be one. I can’t or won’t change that.”
Dylan sighed. “I know. I’m just scared, Alex. Peyton is the same way. Marlowe used to be before she met Hank, but it doesn’t mean she wasn’t scared to get involved with him.” She shrugged. “But we also know he loves her, and she’s happy.”
“Hank Barnett?”
“Yes.”
“Hank’s a good man. Don’t you want to be happy?”
“I do, but I’m not sure a cowboy will make me happy. All they’ve done is break my heart.”
“I don’t want to break your heart, Dylan, any more than I want you to break mine.” Alex cocked his head. “Can’t we see if there’s something between us? I know I have strong feelings for you already, but if you’re not interested, I’ll back off.”
“I told you before I’m interested. I’m scared of being hurt again, and it’s not just me. Zoey is in this too. I can’t have a man come into my life, only to leave, and devastate my daughter. She’s young and needs a father figure, but not one who will care nothing about her feelings.” She stared into his eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying? She’s so young and impressionable. She’d get attached, and then what if he walks out of our lives? How do I explain that to her? How do I tell her it wasn’t meant to be, and one day another man would come along and love her too. Then if the next man hurts her, what do I do then? It’s not just me I’m thinking about. It’s not just my heart involved, Alex. Two hearts would be broken.”
He kissed her temple. “Three. Mine’s in this too, Dylan. I get it. I do, but life isn’t always easy. Getting hurt is normal. We all go through pain. How can we find out if we’re good together if we don’t take a chance? I swear, I would never intentionally hurt either one of you. Your ex didn’t care for anyone but himself or he never would have taken her with him.”
“I could still kill him,” she muttered.
“I’d like to have him in front of me right now. I’m glad the judge saw fit to remove him from her life.” Alex wrapped his hand around her nape. “I’m so attracted to you, Dylan. I can’t get you out of my head. I’d hand this case to another agent if I could, just so I could know you and not worry about the case.”
“You’d do that?”
“If it were possible. Right now, it’s not. All agents are on cases, so you’re stuck with me.” He grinned.
She smiled at him. “I think I like that idea.” She sighed. “All right. We’ll see if there is something between us. Even Peyton and Marlowe told me to go for it.”
Alex chuckled. “I knew I liked them.”
Dylan laughed, slipped her arms around his waist, and stared into his eyes.
“Kiss me. I love how you kiss.”
“Anytime,” he murmured as he lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers.
When she moaned deep in her throat, he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her tight against him.
“Mama?”
“Uh, oh,” Alex murmured against her lips.
