Read The Billionaire Cowboy's Carolina Girl (Contemporary BWWM Romance) for Free Online Page B

band. In the center set a sapphire, as deep blue as Billy Joe Wootton’s eyes. I gasped, my mouth going dry. My heart fluttered.

    “I hadn’t exactly imagined a proposal like this. Not in a wheelchair in my crappy little house.”

    “I can take you out on the town if it means you’ll say yes.”

    “Billy…” My voice was soft. “Yes” was on the tip of my tongue, but somehow, I couldn’t quite say it. “We can’t… You’ve always known we can’t.”

    “Who says? I never wanted any of the things my parents gave me. And now I have more money than I know what to do with. I lived out everything that they wanted. And where did that get me? All I want is you.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, and I looked at him again, putting my hand to his face.

    “Are you sure?”  

    “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Of all the women I’ve met in this world, you’re the very best of them.” I gulped, wiping away my tears again.  

    “What are you going to do… whisk me away to Austin in your private jet and… wife me?”

    “I don’t think I’ve heard ‘wife’ used in quite that way before. But yes, that’s pretty damn much what I had in mind.” I paused for a long moment, letting my fingertips brush over the stubble on Billy Joe’s chin. Tears flooded my eyes again, and I nodded.

    “Yes, yes. Okay. Yes, let’s do this… I can take the dogs and cats right?”

    “There will be room enough for your entire crew at the new place. My house has been quiet for far too long. And I’ll be damn glad for any company I can get. I got plenty of space for them while we get that ranch tidied up and paid for.” Billy Joe took the ring from the small velvet box and slipped it onto my ring finger. It slid right on, fitting like it had always been there. I drew my breath in sharply.

    “It’s too beautiful. I can’t… I don’t even know what to say.”

    “Just say you’ll stay with me for all the days of my life…”

    “And you’ll fly me off to Austin in the morning?” I threw my head back and laughed.

    “Well, little missy, I think we need to let that ankle get a little bit better. And I think I’m just the man for the job… Plus, you look pretty damn good lying back in that bed. I think I could get used to looking at the ring on your finger… and nothing else, well, I guess except for that silly ankle boot.” He drew me up into his arms and kissed me, holding me close. It occurred to me that this was the thing I’d been missing for so many years… and it seemed like we’d never have to be apart again…

EPILOGUE

    “Anita Lee, get your fine ass out here and look at what we got going.” Billy Joe’s voice rang through the house. I stepped out of the kitchen and around the corner, spying him out on the porch where we’d had our tiny wedding the month before. I hurried over to him, trying not to smile. I had to keep a straight face for once… It looked like it might be a big day all around.  

    “Well, I’ll be damned. They came early,” I said. The architect and his construction crew were out at the front of the property, measuring out the foundation for my dance studio. Even though my physical therapy hadn’t taken care of everything, I was getting to the point where I’d be able to teach dance… well, in a little while, anyway.

    “Good news, ain’t it? They’re going to break ground right before the fall… before it gets cold and rainy.”

    “Cold? It doesn’t get cold in Austin. Not really.”  

    “Not enough that it’ll stop construction. You’ll be out there dancing in the spring.”

    “Well…” I said, grabbing his arm to steady myself. “I’m thinking I might have to wait a little while longer.”

    “Foot bothering you again?” He looked at me with concern in his eyes and put his arm around my waist.  

    “I’m happy to say it’s not…”

    “Anita… then… what’s happening here? Are you?” I nodded, staring deep into