I hadn’t thought of that scenario, but Rowdy had, which made me content to think that he most definitely saw a future between us that included the possibility of adding more children to our little family.
My tiny little bank balance was giant now and I knew that Reagan would be working with Nicole on my wedding gift to Rowdy today, if he hadn’t finished it already.
“Let’s take a picture,” Rowdy suggested. He slung the backpack he had carried with him off his shoulder and reached into it for a small digital camera. “I hated having to stand up there and smile while I was holding a check that was meant for you, but I understand why you didn’t want to have anything to do with it.”
Rowdy stopped a couple on the street as they walked by and he asked them to take a picture of the two of us together on the steps in front of the government building we had just left. The lady agreed and took the camera from Rowdy with a smile and he dropped his bag down at our feet and put his arm around my shoulders to pull me close to his side. He and I both smiled at the woman and she took a few photos.
With a laugh, Rowdy pulled me into his arms and dipped my back over his leg. He laid a kiss on my lips that made me quiver inside and I heard the couple in front of us laughing as the woman took a few more pictures of us. When Rowdy lifted me up and settled me back on both feet, I shook my head to clear it and watched as he took the camera back and thanked the couple for helping us.
“I’ve got some stuff planned for me and you,” Rowdy said as he picked up his backpack and flung the straps over his shoulder. He took my hand and led me down the block to the parking garage where we had left the truck. “I asked the girls this morning for suggestions and they gave me directions to this art gallery that specializes in clay. They said that the artist has a small shop attached to it where he has one-of-a-kind jewelry. I thought that would be the perfect place to buy you a wedding set.”
“That’s so sweet,” I smiled at him. “How did you learn to be so thoughtful?”
“I’m playing all of this by ear, babe,” Rowdy chuckled. “I’ve honestly got no fucking idea what I’m doing. I’ve dated here and there through the years, but never had a woman sleep over at my house. I’ve never even kissed a woman in front of my daughter until you. So, let’s just say that I’m learning as I go with you.”
“I’ve never let Lexi meet anyone I’ve been with either,” I said honestly. “I’ve never really dated anyone seriously.”
“Never?”
“Lexi’s dad, but we were teenagers,” I shrugged. “Then all the stuff with Jackson happened and I’ve been hiding ever since.”
“I’m a learning experience for you, too, then.”
“Yeah,” I tiptoed up to kiss him before he opened the truck door for me. “A trial by fire, so to speak.”
“Well, then we’re on even ground.”
I stayed quiet as Rowdy navigated his way through Austin traffic to the area that one of Lout’s sisters had told him about. We finally found parking and got out of the truck to walk back to the gallery and he and I strolled hand in hand up the sidewalk window shopping together.
I saw a painting in one of the windows and fell in love with it. I stared longingly for a minute and then pulled myself away from the window to pass the store. Rowdy turned me around and marched us into the gallery and spoke to the salesperson as I walked around looking at the other beautiful work on display.
I thought he was just going to ask for the price of the painting, but when I turned around, I saw that he was standing at the counter putting his credit card into his wallet as the sales clerk wrapped the large canvas for shipping.
“You bought it?” I whispered in shock. I had seen the prices on some of the other pieces and knew he must have spent a fortune on that one large painting.
“Wedding gift,” Rowdy shrugged. “Now you have to figure out where to hang it before it gets to the house.”
“Thank you,” I whispered as I put my arms around him. “Thank you so much.”
“I can’t splurge like that very often because I’m saving to buy the house, but this is a special occasion.”
“We’ve got plenty of money, Rowdy,” I laughed. “I’ve never been able to say that before. It feels odd.”
“You’ve got plenty of money,” Rowdy shook his head seriously. “That money is yours, babe. I’m not going to spend it for you and I won’t let you pay for everything either. This is a partnership.”
“Well, I’ve got the next 50 years to change your mind then, don’t I?” I raised my eyebrows and stared at him, trying to look at least a little threatening. I realized it didn’t work at all when he laughed at me and dropped a quick kiss on my lips.
“You can try.”
◆◆◆
“He was so funny,” Shanda laughed as she pointed at Rowdy. “Leia walked up with her little tooth in her hand and held it out to him and he almost passed out.”
“I wasn’t ready for that at all,” Rowdy looked queasy even now, years later. “The books said that it usually happened when they were five or six. She was four
