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I put the cups on the nightstand and lowered to my knees and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Honeybee.”
She stirred and puckered her lips. “Mhm.”
“I said, happy birthday, Honeybee.”
“Aww.” She fluttered her eyelashes and focused on me. “Thank you, handsome. But shouldn’t you be doing morning chores or something?”
“Nope. I’m right where I oughta to be.” I leaned closer to her and placed a kiss on her head. “This is the first birthday I’ve celebrated with you in more than a decade. I’m spending the whole day with you.”
“Really?”
“Being a rancher doesn’t mean you can’t take time off. It just requires a little planning and finding someone to do your work.”
“I didn’t think you liked having someone else do your work?”
“Nope, I don’t. But I have a full crew and it frees up my time more. I won’t be so busy when I have a wife and baby.” I winked, then kissed her soft lips.
She smiled and snuggled into him. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“When the time is right, I’ll propose. One day, hopefully next year, you’ll officially be Mrs. Cade Norris.”
“I love the sound of that!”
“Good. I’m not trying to rush you, but we aren’t getting any younger, and I want a couple of kids.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “I haven’t thought about kids. My career had been my focus, but I feel differently.”
“How so?”
“We used to talk about marriage and babies, and I hadn’t been able to imagine that life with anyone other than you. These last few weeks have been incredible. I don’t want to return to California, though I probably should.”
“What?” I pulled back.
“Don’t freak out. Let me finish.” She wrapped her small hand around my wrist.
“Okay, continue.”
“I have loose ends to tie up.”
“All of that can be done from here.”
She gazed at me with love in her eyes, and it put me at ease. “You’re right. I just thought I should try to get my things out of Jake’s place and apologize to my boss in person. I abandoned her. That’s not good. What if I need her recommendation sometime?”
“I won’t let you go to Jake’s.”
“Cade—”
“No, Shelby. I’m putting my foot down about this. He’s dangerous, and I don’t want you anywhere near him.”
“Okay, I’ll obey you this time.”
“Baby, it’s not about obeying me. I never stood in your way or tried to control you. But I know guys like him, and just because he’s been hiding doesn’t mean he’s not searching for you.”
“Do you really believe that?”
“Yes. He won’t stop until he has you.”
She shuddered at my words. “Oh, God.”
