We both stood and silently got dressed. Then we settled back on the blanket, me between his legs with my head resting against his solid chest. The sun was touching the hills and turning the sky the most beautiful colors. Pinks and reds spread across the horizon in beautiful wisps of clouds. It was stunning.
The sound of two vehicles pulling up had us both turning.
“Who’s driving your truck?” I asked as Steed stood and helped me up.
A wide smile curled his mouth. “Mitchell. He’s got Chloe.”
“Chloe?” I asked with my own grin.
“Yeah, she’s going to join us for movie night. I thought she might like to do that with us.”
Oh. My. Gosh. This man. Swoon-a-thon going on here.
The way he loved his daughter did crazy things to my heart. I fell even more in love with him knowing he wanted to make Chloe a part of our day.
“That sounds amazing!”
I took his hand in mine and kissed the back of it. “Steed, Chloe is very much a part of our relationship and in no way do I resent anything about that. It warms my heart to see you with Chloe and know how much you love her. She is a part of my heart now too, and I’d give my last breath for her.”
Steed’s eyes widened in surprise before they filled with tears. He opened his mouth to say something, but instead of speaking, he closed his eyes and slowly shook his head before catching my gaze.
“I love you so fucking much.” He pulled my body against his and pressed his mouth to mine. The trucks stopped, and I had thought he would let me go, especially knowing Chloe was here. But he didn’t. He held me tighter and kissed me deeper. By the time he was done I was dizzy and had to hold onto his arms to steady myself.
“Wow,” I breathed.
He grinned. “I want her to see what true love is.”
Oh lord. There goes my heart again.
“Daddy! Paxton!” Chloe said as she ran up to us. Instead of hugging just Steed, her little arms wrapped around both of us. We dropped to her level at the same time. I couldn’t help but smile when I saw how happy she looked, a grin spread wide across her face.
“I had the best day with Aunt Meli and then Uncle Mitchell picked me up and took me for ice cream! But it wasn’t at the store!”
Steed pulled his head back with a surprised expression. “It wasn’t? Where was it?” he asked as he glanced up to Mitchell.
“It was this farm house. Daddy! They made the ice cream and asked me what kind I wanted and if I wanted anything in it!”
“What did you get?” I asked.
Chloe smiled. “Chocolate with strawberries cause that’s your favorite, Paxton. And I want to be just like you and grow up to marry a cowboy like my daddy!”
I was overcome with emotion, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to cry.
Taking her hands in mine, I replied, “I love that plan, Chloe. So very much.”
Steed pulled her to him, making her squeal in delight. “Let me help your uncles, then I have a surprise for my two favorite girls. But no more talk of you growing up.”
Chloe kissed him on the cheek, then reached for my hand. My heart fluttered, and I had to put my other hand over my stomach to calm the butterflies. This sweet little girl held a piece of my heart so strongly I was almost brought to tears.
I knew Chloe had never had a real mother figure in her life, and I was going to do everything in my power to be there for her, always.
“Did you and Daddy have fun on your day together?” Chloe asked.
Gazing down at her big blue eyes, I smiled. “We did. Your daddy is very romantic.”
She nodded. “He likes sunsets and always says they remind him of his special spot on the ranch. Is this his special spot? Is that why he brought you here?”
My eyes swept over to where Steed was helping Mitchell and Trevor put Allure into the trailer. I felt breathless watching him. “Yes, Chloe Cat. Your daddy used to bring me here all the time. It was kind of our spot.”
When I glanced back down at her, she had a dreamy expression on her face. “I hope I can marry a boy someday who is like my daddy.”
Dropping down to meet her eye to eye, I pulled her in for a hug. “Me too, baby girl.”
When she leaned back, her little eyes looked deep into mine. “I love you, Paxton.”
I almost fell on my ass. Her words hit me square in the chest and dug themselves deep within my heart, and I was positive they would stay buried deeply forever. Lifting my hand to the side of her sweet little face, I let out a shaky breath. “Oh, Chloe. I love you too.”
Her little arms wrapped around my neck and she whispered, “I pray each night you’ll be my mommy. I hope God hears me.”
Closing my eyes, I struggled to keep the tears back. “I pray for the same thing, Chloe.”