Free Runaway Cowgirl by Cheryl Dragon Page B

don’t do impulsive things. But this isn’t new. We’ve known her and wanted her for a long time. We can keep her safe and have her here. I was so worried she’d stay in Denver with her sister and never come back. Family is important, but she shouldn’t be a spinster. No one wants to be left behind.”
    He hated that he couldn’t give Henry answers. They’d gone to the orphanage by a family friend, who hadn’t left them a name. Henry’s parents’ names weren’t given either. The records indicated his parents had died of an illness and no other family had stepped forward to claim him. Voluntarily or not, everyone in his life had abandoned Henry.
    “She loves you and wants you. You should marry her.” Jack nodded.
    Henry shook his head. “No. First of all, Bonner isn’t my legal name and we don’t need a headache if that ever got out. Second, you’re the one with doubts and you’re more settled than I am. You marry her. The commitment will calm you.”
    “Henry,” Jack protested.
    “No,” Henry cut him off in a harsh whisper. “You love her and we all know it. She loves you too. You have to prove you’re willing to lead this family. People will believe I’m the fun-loving, flirty bachelor who doesn’t want to be tied down. You need a wife. It’ll cover everything perfectly. It’s the balance we all need.”
    “You’re right. But it’s her final decision, not that it matters. It’s just a piece of paper. We’re all together.” Jack looked at her sleeping form. “She’s ours.”
    “Damn right.” Henry hugged Jack. “You and Em will never leave me. And we’ll have kids. However, we’ll never know who the real father is. It’s not a dream, right?”
    “Not at all.” Jack pinched Henry’s firm ass.
    He kissed Jack hard. “It’s real. It’s ours. She’s ours. We just have to make it official.”
    “Official? What are you two plotting without me?” she asked.
    They looked over at her.
    “We didn’t mean to wake you,” Henry said.
    “Are you kicking me out before dawn?” She sat up. “I should go home, but we must resolve our situation fully.”
    “No, we’re not kicking you out if you want to stay.” Jack sat on the bed and Henry snuggled behind Emily.
    “He has such a way of wooing women.” Henry laughed.
    “We have to do something. I’m sorry if I put you both in an awkward position. If you don’t want to marry me…” She looked at Jack then glanced back at Henry.
    “He does. We don’t have a ring or anything.” Henry kissed her shoulder.
    “I don’t need a ring.” She shook her mussed hair.
    Jack couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked after just waking up. “You do need a ring and you’ll wear one. We’ll have one made.”
    “I have my mother’s wedding rings. It’d be a shame to leave them in a jewelry box untouched.” She grabbed Jack’s hand. “If that’s a proposal.”
    “You have to marry him. I’ll be the fun bachelor uncle to the kids.” Henry wrapped his arms around her waist.
    “We won’t know who the actual father is anyway. I want kids with both of you.” She kissed his cheek. “The wedding is for show. We’ll know the truth.”
    “Absolutely.” Jack kissed her. “So that’s a yes?”
    “Yes!” she said.
    Jack kissed Henry and hugged her between them. Reality began to set in. This was real and soon he’d have to tell the mob of bachelors. The sooner they got married the better.
    “What’s wrong?” Henry asked.
    “We need a cover story for where she’s been. Unless…the housekeeper is here by now. We’ll find an excuse.” Jack sat back. “Then we’ll announce things and marry as soon as possible.”
    “Good. After last night, I’d rather not sleep alone in a bed ever again.” She ran her hands over his chest. “I want to be Mrs Bonner.”
    “Soon you’ll be Mrs Bonner. For now, Miss St. Claire needs to get dressed so we can figure out a way to avoid a pointless search party.” Henry pinched her