Page 43 of Cowboy Daddies

“I think that sounds like the best plan ever, Daddy,” Sage answered.

They collected Rose from Fiera’s home, where she proudly showed them the pictures Joy had taken of her and her new chicks. The little diner on Main Street was busy, but they found a booth in the corner. Rose’s eyes went wide when the waitress set down three towering milkshakes exactly like the ones Sage had described from that fancy place in Vegas—thick chocolate-peanut butter, piled high with whipped cream, a slice of actual pie, and one with a whole candy bar sticking out the top.

Sage laughed as Rose took her first sip and came up with a whipped-cream mustache. “Good, huh?”

“The best,” Rose said around a grin. Then, softer, “Thank you… Sage.”

Grady’s hand found Sage’s under the table and squeezed.

They lingered over burgers and ridiculous milkshakes until the sun dipped low. By the time they got home, Rose was yawning. They got her through her bath and into soft pajamas with tiny horses printed on them. Grady tucked her in while Sage sat on the edge of the bed, brushing the little girl’s damp curls.

Rose looked up at Grady, eyes shining in the lamplight. “I love you, Pa.”

Grady’s face did something beautiful and raw. His voice cracked just a little. “I love you too, sweetness. More than all the stars in the sky.”

Rose turned those same bright eyes to Sage. “I love you too, Sage.”

Sage felt the words hit her square in the chest. Her throat closed up. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to Rose’s forehead, blinking back happy tears. “I love you right back, my darling girl. So, so much.”

Grady walked Sage out of the bedroom, closed the door softly, and pulled her straight into his arms in the hallway. He held her tight, one hand cradling the back of her head.

“You hear that?” he whispered. “She loves you.”

Sage nodded against his chest, tears slipping free now. “I love her, too.”

For the first time, she wasn’t afraid that she would have to leave at the end of the summer. The realization made her heart sing. Even though it had only been a few short weeks, she had fallen for Grady Kane. Hard, and had also come to love a beautiful little child

He tipped her chin up and kissed her slow and sweet, the kind of kiss that made her long for forever.

They stood there in the quiet hallway, wrapped up in each other, while the ranch settled around them and the first stars came out. For the first time in a long time, everything felt exactly right. And she knew it would stay that way forever because her Daddy had told her so.

The End