“Because no one should marry for money, but then again, no one should ever let money keep them from a happy relationship,” she told him.
“Not if you live by the Cowboy Code,” Pax said.
“I know that code as well as you do,” she asked.
“Then you know you should never let anyone take your courage, your strength, or your dignity.”
“I guess it would take a strong cowboy to follow his heart and not let what other people say influence his decision to fall in love with a woman because she owns more dirt than he does,” Alana said.
He pulled the truck into the parking spot at Mama’s Little Ice Cream Parlor and turned off the engine. “Yep, it would, but I’m not so sure we’re really made for each other—not for the long haul. You can outdo me in everything, including ranchin’. I’d kind of feel like a kept man.
“Hey, don’t say that,” she scolded. “If we were really engaged and getting married, you’d be bringing a lot to the partnership. You’re the kindest man I know, and there’s not a rancher out there who takes his job as serious as you do. No way in the world would you ever be a kept man, and believe me, you are my equal in everything, Paxton Callahan.”
“Oh, really,” he countered, “who won the most trophies in bareback bronc riding?”
“Who got thrown the most in practice and has back trouble now?” she asked right back. “And if we’re throwin’ around stuff, who’s been known to haul hay by the light of a truck so he can get it in before the rain hits the next morning, or who’s come over here more than once to help Daddy when the hired help couldn’t make it to the ranch because there was a foot of snow on the ground.”
“This is all a crazy conversation anyway,” he said. “If we weren’t getting married already, neither of us would even begin to think about the M word on the basis of one hot kiss.”
“I sure wouldn’t.” She opened the truck door. “And, Pax, thanks for being honest with me.”
“Hey, that’s my job,” he told her as he got out and went around the front of the vehicle to extend his hand to help her out. “Want to try another of those kisses again right here to see if maybe that was beginner’s luck?”
She shook her head and tucked her hand into his. “Nope. I still need ice cream to cool down that last one.”
“Rain check?” he suggested as the automatic doors into the store swung open.
“Maybe.” She went straight to the counter and looked up at the menu. “I want a double dip of chocolate almond and a glass of sweet tea.”
“And you, sir?”
He pointed at the menu. “I want a double fudge brownie sundae like that picture right up there, and a big glass of ice water,” he answered, as if he was oblivious to her charms.
“I want to change my order.” Alana laid her left hand on the counter. “I’ll have the same thing as my fiancé.”
“Congratulations,” the gray-haired woman said. “You might not remember me, but I took care of the nursery when you kids were babies. This one is on the house from me to celebrate your engagement.”
“Well, thank you,” Pax said.
“You’re Wilma,” Alana said. “I didn’t recognize you without your red hair.”
“I got tired of dyeing it and let it go natural,” Wilma told them. “I’ll have that ice cream out to you in a few minutes.”
“Thank you so much. That’s sweet of you.” Alana smiled.
“Small world,” Pax said as he ushered Alana to a booth.
“Yep, and speaking of that, did you notice that Trudy is sitting right over there with Billy Ray?” Alana asked.
Pax glanced over his shoulder and waved at the mother and son. “Anyone else?”
“The place is packed.” She slid into a booth. “And some of them already have their cell phones out.”
Pax took his place across from her and reached across the table to hold both her hands. “Ignore them and look right into my eyes. We’ve come out of hiding, and we’re so much in love that we can’t get enough of each other.”
“Do you really think this is the way that engaged couples act?” she giggled. “We’re almost thirty for God’s sake, not sixteen.”
“Yep, we are.” He laughed with her. “But think how much gossip fodder we’re giving Trudy right now. She doesn’t know that you basically told me that