The Cowboy and the Princess (17 page)

“You said you loved me.”

“I know. I do. I’m mad for you. And yeah, it’s probably hopeless. The royal guard is probably on the way to throw me in the dungeon right now.”

“That would be very wrong of them when I love you so much, Owen.” She kissed his throat, his chin, his mouth. “I came back for you, Owen. Only for you. And I’m not going back to Xenora. I called Andreus, and he’s sending all my things so I can stay with you forever.”

He kissed her again, then smiled against her mouth. “Then if the guards show up, I’ll send them packing. If you want to stay with me, no man had better try to stop you.”

“Because I’m yours,” she said.

“You’ve got that right, Princess.”

“Forever,” she continued.

“At least that long,” he agreed. “Marry me?”

“Oh yes,” she agreed. “Yes, I demand marriage. In fact, I command you to marry me. Just try to get rid of me this time.”

He laughed. “I love it when you go all royal and demanding on me.”

“I’ll try to remember that,” she said with a grin.

“Remember this, too,” he said. “You’re my home now, my all. Wherever you are, I am. If you want to live somewhere else, I’m there.”

“Thank you, Owen, but that’s
not
going to happen,” she said.

“All right, but if you change your mind, you tell me.”

“I won’t change my mind.” She stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Make me a rancher’s wife, Owen.”

“I will. And we’ll have children if you like. It’s time.”

She touched his cheek. “You’re sure?”

“Never more. I’ll always love James. I’ll love all our children.”

“Then give me children, Owen. Little rancher children.”

“Were you always this bossy?” he asked with a grin.

She shrugged. “I used to be a princess.”

“And you still are. But now you’re my private princess.”

“That’s the very best kind,” Delfyne said, but Owen didn’t answer. She was in his arms and all the words that mattered had been spoken.

ISBN: 978-1-4268-3135-5

THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS

First North American Publication 2009.

Copyright © 2009 by Myrna Topol.

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