The Cattleman (Sons of Texas Book 2) (47 page)

She believed
the girls in question would get the scholarships if she diligently helped through the year. She also believed Bill Junior’s foundation,
Future Hope
, would fund them if need be. He was always looking for places to give away money.

“
Would you ever get around to telling me you love me?”

“I just did
, Amanda. Love’s just a word. It doesn’t mean as much to me as it does to you. I have a hard time saying it.”

She knew that. Witnessing the lifetime of brawling, scheming and cheating that had gone on between his parents had affected him deeply. “And Betty? I don’t suppose you’ve
consulted her.”

“
I don’t feel a need to consult her. She’s already made her choices. And I’ve made mine.”

“Where would we live?”

“In the ranch house. I’ve already discussed it with Dad. There’s plenty of room for us and him both. Even if we had a passle of kids, there’s still plenty of room. Or if you don’t want to be roomies with Dad, I’ll build us a house somewhere else on the ranch. I can put a house and a swimming pool anywhere.”

“You’d do that?”

“Absolutely.”

“
I’ve always loved that ranch house. When I was a teenager, I used to fantasize about living in it.”

“Then where we’ll live is settled.”
He leaned forward and took both of her hands in his, rubbing her knuckles with his thumbs. “Nothing’s changed between you and me, Mandy. We started out liking each other when we were just little kids. We’ve taken a couple of detours. I blame myself for that. But veering off the path doesn’t mean we can’t finish up together. After all we’ve been through, we’ve still managed to get back to this place. I gotta think we were meant to be. Whatever this little bump in the road is that’s got you upset, we’ll get it worked out. If it’s Zochi, or if it’s the money—”

“I don’t care about your money
, Pic. I was in love with you before I knew what rich meant. All I’ve ever wanted is you. It wouldn’t matter to me if you didn’t have a dime.”

“I know that, Mandy. I’ve always known that. You never had dollar signs in your eyes when you looked at me. And believe me, I’ve seen enough of those looks to recognize them.”

“Oh, Pic.” She leaned across the table and they kissed. His big hand cupper her jaw and she drank in the taste of him, the scent of him, couldn’t begin to imagine him being all hers for the rest of their lives. The kiss was long and sweet, full of hope and promise. When they parted, she looked into his eyes. “I never stopped loving you, Pic. Even when we were both with someone else.”

“
I believe that, Mandy.”

“If we went to Las Vegas, would those security guys go with us?”

“The way things are right now, they probably would. After I told them I might want to fly somewhere, a couple of them went to Fort Worth to check out the airport and the pilot.”

She couldn’t hold back a gasp.
“Good grief.”

“I know. It’s
a pain in the ass. But maybe it’ll be over soon….I’ve been thinking about something else, too, Mandy. Maybe we oughtta quit worrying about the calendar and take life as it comes.”

THE END

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ALSO BY ANNA JEFFREY

THE SONS OF TEXAS TRILOGY

The Tycoon, Book 1

The Cattleman, Book 2

The Horseman, Book 3 (Coming Soon)

THE STRAYHORNS SERIES

Lone Star Woman, Volume 1

Man of the West, Volume 2 (written as Sadie Callahan)

THE WEST TEXAS SERIES

Sweet Water

Salvation, Texas, Volume 2

Sweet Return, Volume 3

T
HE CALLISTER BOOKS

The Love of a Cowboy, Volume 1

The Love of a Stranger, Volume 2

The Love of a Lawman, Volume 3

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna Jeffrey is an award-winning author of contemporary romance novels with a mainstream flavor as well as zany romantic comedy/mystery. She has written nine romance novels under the pseudonym of Anna Jeffrey and one as Sadie Callahan. She and her sister have co-written seven comedy/mystery novels as USA Today Bestselling Author, Dixie Cash. ..... Anna Jeffrey's books have won the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold, and the More Than Magic awards. Her books have
been in the finals in the Colorado Romance Writers award, the Golden Quill and Southern Magic as well as the Write Touch Readers' Award, the Aspen Gold and the More than Magic awards. ..... She is a member of Romance Writers of America and several of its sub-chapters. She enjoys many hobbies, i.e., reading, painting and drawing, crafting, needlework and beading among others. She and her husband live outside a small town in North Central Texas.