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  Tears burned in the back of Eve’s eyes as she dropped to the bench. She loved Sean, and she doubted she’d ever stop missing him. But she couldn’t change who he was, and it wouldn’t be fair to try.

  “Eve.”

  She turned and saw Sean step out into the courtyard.

  “You left before you opened all your gifts and before I told you my news.”

  Eve blinked repeatedly, determined to hold back the tears. “What is your news?”

  “I put a down payment on some acreage near Bandera. I’ve decided to breed and train quarter horses.”

  So he had made his plans without discussing them with her. That pretty much said it all.

  “If that’s what you want, I’m happy for you.”

  “That’s not quite all of it. I want to run a program where I bring out troubled kids on the weekends and let them ride and help with the horses. I know I won’t reach all of them, but I think I can make a difference with some.”

  “You’ll be great at that,” she said honestly.

  “Now, about the gift that you didn’t open.”

  A tear escaped and she turned away from him. “I need to check on Joey. I’ll open the gift later.” She started past him, but he grabbed her arm and turned her around.

  “Joey’s fine. The gift can’t wait.”

  He slid his hand down her arm and took her hand in his. Then he dropped to one knee. “I love you, Eve. I love Joey, too. Marry me so that we can be a real family. I need the horses, but we can have a place in town, too, if you want.”

  “The ranch is not a problem. I’d love living on a ranch. So would Joey.”

  “Then say you’ll marry me.”

  She ached to say yes, but there was one question that needed answering. “Are you going to leave me standing at the altar?”

  “Not a chance.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “Because I was wrong about not being a forever kind of guy. I just hadn’t met the right woman to share forever with.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Very sure. And if you don’t say yes fast, I’m going to go crazy.”

  Her heart felt so full that it might burst from her chest. “In that case, I love you with all my heart, Sean Ledger, and yes, I’ll marry you. I will so marry you.”

  He rose to his feet and touched his lips to hers with a kiss that promised a million golden tomorrows.

  “I can’t wait to start our new life together,” Sean said. “Now let’s go tell Dad that he’s not losing a puppy, he’s gaining a grandson.”

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-7634-9

  GENUINE COWBOY

  Copyright © 2010 by Jo Ann Vest

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