Her Cowboy (Book One Of The Brave Series)

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter 26

A.

"Thank you. For everything. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you before. But I won't make that same mistake again. I promise." I still felt the kiss on my cheek after she said those words. When I'd looked her in the eyes, I wanted to take her first kiss right then and there. That alone still baffled me. How anyone as beautiful as she was could not at least had a boyfriend once or twice was beyond me. I wasn't about to complain about it though, it even made me happy. Then Anna had to come barging in. I could've wrung her little neck but decided to let it go. I wasn't about to take a girl's first kiss while she was recovering from a busted-up rib.

Shrugging it off, I went back downstairs and met up with the guys.

"Hey, so how'd it go?" Axel asked eyes focused on the TV screen.

"It went great. I got through to her so now I think it's a clean slate." I replied.

"Did you have to help her shower?" Riley asked popping up in front of me. My mind instantly went to seeing her wearing my t-shirt. Her cream colored long legs were toned and tight, powerful. The shirt swallowed her whole and it was adorable. I smiled at the thought.

"You did!" Riley's eyes widened.

"No, I did not, I helped her to the shower and back that's it." I denied. They all looked at me.

"Opportunity lost." Daniel muttered, and Axel grunted going back to shooting aliens on the screen. I shook my head and laid down closing my eyes. To the image of a small, cream skinned girl with long black hair and smoky gray eyes. Beautiful, inside and out.

.....

The next morning, I went through all of mine and Madeline's classes to pick up a week's worth of assignments for the both of us. The doctor said a few weeks and she'll be back to normal. Just in time for the winter break and Christmas.

I was walking around the corner when something caught my eye. I looked over. It was Chloe and Stewart. They were in a corner too far away to hear them and by the gesturing he was making, Stewart was upset. Chloe looked worried, before putting her hand on his arm and smiling up to him. Stewart paused and suddenly leaned down, kissing her. I paused.

What the hell is going on? I thought to myself. I shook my head. I hoped for both of their sakes they were happy with each other, but I didn't put much worry into it. I just needed to mind my own business; I had something much more important waiting for me at home.

Turning around I headed in the opposite direction and made my way back home.

.....

I opened the door and was met with silence.

"Maddie!" I called.

"Sleeping!" she responded, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Not for long!" I yelled as I came up the staircase. Walking into the bedroom made my eyes hurt since it was so dark, so I set down all the paperwork in my hands and went to the window, pulling the curtains wide open. I turned around and nearly had a heart attack.

At some point throughout the night I guess she must have gotten overheated because the blankets were in a ball at the bottom of the bed. I couldn't help it, after all I was a guy. My eyes involuntarily went up her legs and to the Wonder Woman boy short panties she wore. I wanted to keep looking and admiring her beauty but the laugh that bubbled in my chest burst out and she woke up with a jolt. My laughter came harder as I saw her bed head. Half her hair was up on one side, the other side the same as it was last night.

"Asher!" she cried out as she quickly covered herself up only to cringe and hiss in pain.

"Are you okay?" I asked hurrying to her side. She kept her head down and nodded softly. She was embarrassed, and that was so cute.

"Wonder Woman, huh?" I asked shaking from the laughter but containing it better. Her eyes went wide, and her face went completely red.

"Shut up, they're comfortable." She responded as I set all her paperwork beside her on the bed. Mozart, having heard our loud voices, came barreling into the room and skidded to a halt in front of Madeline. She pet him and he 'boofed' loudly.

"Anyways, here is all your schoolwork. I'm going to go make you breakfast and then start on my own." She nodded, and I headed downstairs.

M.

The following week went by in a flash. Every morning Asher would wake me up with homemade breakfast and helped me get to the shower and back. After that he would carry me downstairs even when I felt fine enough to walk and set me up on the couch to do our homework together. Once that was finished we'd either play video games together or just watch movies and talk. At that point Anna would come home and bring the boys with her. I'd spend time with her while Asher spent time with them. Their parents would come home after that and Mrs. Tyler would begin dinner preparations. Mom had been released at the beginning of the week and would be homme shortly after everyone else. She would help until there was a full-blown feast for everyone. The times spent in that week were so peaceful and it continued like that for more time.

I was able to return to school with limited restrictions about my movements. I had seen Chloe walking around with that Stewart guy here and there. Maybe she finally decided to let go of Asher.

They still hadn't found my father, but things had been so peaceful without him that I had found myself not caring if he ever came back again.

Each day Asher and I were together we sat a little closer. Touched just a little more. A touch to the arm, a lean on the shoulder, or even a pat on the leg. It was such a natural feeling to me that I wasn't sure whether to be scared or not. But I was happy, happier than I'd ever been before.

That next Friday we were all in the living room watching a movie. Mom and all the parents went out for some 'adult fun'. It made me happy to see Mom finding people to lean on and get close with again. Riley and Axel were sitting close on the floor, Axel playing a game on his phone while Riley made failing sound effects. Daniel and Anna were cuddled up on the love seat too invested in their own world to pay any attention to the movie Asher sat on one end the three seater ouch and I was on the other, but I was getting sleepy, and my head bobbed up and down as I tried to stay awake.

"Here." I looked up at him and saw he'd put a throw pillow on his lap. I smiled and laid my head down on the pillow. I felt a blanket fall over me and then the pressure as his arm rested over my hip, away from my rib. He was still so careful. It was so sweet.

I looked at his hand. It was so big compared to mine. Subconsciously my hand lifted and seconds later our hands were palm to palm. Mine looked miniscule and tiny compared to his. His were warm, where mine were cold. His calloused, where mine were smooth. I watched as he intertwined his fingers with mine in a tight, comfortable grip. Our hands were perfectly fitted. I smiled and cuddled into him just that much more and closed my eyes. I fell asleep with a smile on my face and his hand in mine.

In that moment everything was perfect.

----------

EDITED VERSION

J. Vas