A Buckhorn Bachelor by Lori Foster Page A

at her house.” She shrugged. “I guess now that they’ve made note of her, they’re free agents. Not my doing. Just men going after what they want.”
    â€œIssy?”
    She patted Adam’s shoulder. “You have to admit, the woman is a catch.”
    â€œOf course she is. She’s beautiful and smart and sweet.”
    â€œSexy, too?” Amber asked.
    â€œSmokin’ hot.” He let out a breath. If it wasn’t Amber encouraging the men, he needed to think of a way to discourage them.
    â€œShe’s good with kids, too.”
    â€œYou don’t have to tell me.” Adam rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s incredible with them. Understanding and genuinely caring. One day, she’ll make a terrific mother.”
    Both brows up, Amber asked, “With you as the father?”
    â€œThat’s the plan, if I can—”
    Behind him, Issy gasped.
    Adam jerked around, and there she stood, Cupid cuddled in her arms, her eyes wide with astonishment.
    Zoey and Garrett grinned behind her.
    Damn it. Of all the ways he’d considered declaring himself, this wasn’t one of them. “Hey.”
    She blinked those big blue eyes at him. “Hey.”
    Amber sighed. “I love it when a plan comes together.” She bestowed an approving smile on each of them, gathered up Garrett and Zoey, and exited the kitchen.
    For once, Adam appreciated her efforts. At least now he and Issy had some privacy.
    He closed the distance between them, brushed his knuckles along her jaw, and asked, “What do you think?”
    Face going pink, she whispered, “About?”
    â€œHaving babies with me. Not just yet, but someday. After we’re married, of course.”
    For one heart-stopping moment, her bottom lip trembled. “I guess that depends.” After a deep breath, she asked, “Do you love me?”
    â€œVery, very much.”
    All the starch left her, and she even lightly punched him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œI didn’t want you to think it was Amber’s idea. I know how she manipulates things.”
    â€œShe does?”
    How could Issy be unaware of that? “She told you not to tell me how you felt, right?”
    Warily, Issy nodded. “Yes.”
    To let her know it was okay, Adam kissed her forehead. “Amber didn’t want me to get too cocky about things.” Without making an issue of it, he led her out of the kitchen and down the hall. He needed to ensure they’d have a few minutes alone, and he wanted to hold her—which meant getting her to an enclosed room where she could put down Cupid. “But after you gave me the cold shoulder so many times, there wasn’t much chance of that happening.”
    â€œI never .”
    â€œYeah, honey, you did.”
    Under her breath, she grumbled, “Well, how’s a woman to know what you’re thinkin’?”
    â€œUsually if I talked to a woman, she’d chat back, flirt a little, open the door to more. But you were always all business and I guess I didn’t want to get shot down.”
    â€œI wouldn’t have,” she said gently. “And I hesitated to be bolder with you for the same reason. You’re Buckhorn’s most wanted bachelor, and I’m just—”
    â€œAmazing.” Pausing in the hallway, he kissed her. “Wonderful.” Another kiss. “And mine.”
    Leaning into him, she sighed. “Yes.” Then she shook her head and laughed. “Yes to being yours. I don’t know about the rest.”
    â€œYou can take my word on it.” So much time they’d wasted. Sometimes his cousin was a genius—not that he’d ever admit it to her. “Amber also told me you were a little wild,” he teased.
    â€œ Wild? ” Face hotter now, Issy didn’t hesitate when he led her into an empty bedroom and closed the door. “That’s ridiculous.”
    Not