Catch Me A Cowboy (36 page)

Emily could feel the cameras squeezing in on her, suffocating her.

‘What's happening, Emily?' Missy asked.

Emily shook her head, holding her finger up. She needed to compose herself before she'd be able to manage speech. She drew a deep breath, bottom lip trembling, and said, ‘I should never have left. Wil Parker is the most amazing man I have ever met and I should have fought for him. I should have fought against my own fears for him. He's worth that effort. He's worth the risk. I know that now. When I walked away that day, I lost the best thing that has ever happened to me.'

Her eyes fluttered to the side of the studio when she caught movement in her peripheral. Wil was there, his face so solemn it broke her heart even more. She met his sad blue gaze for just a moment before he shook his head, turned and walked away, disappointment loud in each step he took further from her.

The director called cut and the filming broke. Emily was taken off to the side to fix her make-up. She took a moment to go to the bathroom—needing some privacy to compute all that had taken place today. At the basins, she peered at herself in the mirror and breathed deeply. She was exhausted. This was not how she planned this day to go. She assumed she would cope better, but being back here had her worked up into a frenzy and all her emotions were bubbling to the surface.

It had shocked her to see Wil earlier, in the flesh. For the last month, she had only viewed 2D images. Seeing him again cemented her feelings for him. The moment she met his eyes, there was no doubt that the love she held for him was stronger than everything. Meant more to her than anything. But what exactly did that look he gave her mean?

Emily inhaled deeply with her eyes closed, then exited the bathroom. She headed back to the others along the hall. So many memories here. She glanced back at the small cupboard where she experienced such immense pleasure with Wil and she ached all over. Craved to go back to that night. She turned back and crashed, face first against a solid wall of muscle.

Wil's chest.

His scent swamped her and her legs were melting beneath her.

She looked up at his face, having forgotten the sheer size of him, the broadness of his body and how blue his eyes were.

She took a quick step back, though every part of her was propelling her forward, and said, breathlessly, ‘Wil?'

His expression said nothing. ‘That was another fantastic performance you gave earlier. Quite skilled at lying.'

Emily's lips parted as she shook her head. ‘It wasn't a performance, Wil. Everything I said was from the heart.'

Anger, incredulity, twisted his features and Emily could feel the resentment in his glare. She flinched. She had her answer right there. She didn't have a chance with Wil. It was over. He would never forgive her. She sighed. ‘I'm so sorry, Wil. That night in the barn, with your family, when I said I was willing to move out here, I wasn't lying. In my heart, at that moment, it was the god's honest truth. But I got scared and I bolted. And now, I know that leaving you is the biggest regret of my life.' Tears pooled and fell down her cheeks. ‘And I'm so sorry for that.'

Wil didn't say anything.

She peered at him, waiting for something. But he offered nothing. ‘Anyway, I hope you find happiness with Becky. You deserve to be loved.' She lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, imprinted his feel and smell on her memory because she knew she'd never have the opportunity to do so again. She wiped the tears from her face with her palms, turned from him with a deep sigh and walked away … again. Emily had done some difficult things in her life, but nothing compared to that moment.

Beside Missy, two chairs had been set up. Becky was sitting in one. Wil strode across the floor in front of all the contestants and sat down, both his feet firmly on the floor. He was so handsome dressed in his trademark jeans, checked shirt and cowboy hat and Emily couldn't stop tracing his face and body with her gaze. To love someone so much and not be able to be with them was akin to torture. She never wished this on her biggest enemy.

Filming began again and Missy asked the couple about their relationship since the finale. Emily's heart beat a little faster. Not because she was nervous about what was about to be said, but because the distance and rigidity in both Becky and Wil was unmissable. That was a good sign. Perhaps things were not as rosy between them as Emily assumed they might be.

Wil looked at Becky and smiled apologetically. ‘We gave it our best shot, Missy, but, in the end, we weren't as compatible as we first thought.'

Missy frowned and Becky lowered her gaze to her lap.

‘You share those thoughts, Becky?' asked Missy.

Becky nodded. ‘I would have liked more, but Wil's heart wasn't in it. Looking back at that footage, I now see why. He never loved me. It was Emily right from the start.'

‘And what do you have to say about that, Wil?'

Wil met Becky's eyes, a frown on his lips. He mouthed, ‘I'm so sorry.' Then turned from her towards the contestants and peered at Emily. He inhaled noisily and blew out his breath. ‘Emily said she should have fought for me, but I'm the one who should have fought for her. I should have gone to the city after her, thrown her over my shoulder and brought her back here to the farm … to our
home
.'

Emily's heart stopped. Tears filled her eyes. Was she hearing him right?

‘I guess what I'm saying is that Becky is right. From the beginning it was Emily. And it always will be. I love her with every part of me. Nothing and no one can change that.'

Becky stood, her chair falling back onto the floor behind. Missy flinched, looked to Andrea who was waving at her to stay seated and keep this rolling. Becky ripped her headset off. ‘I'm not sitting here listening to this.' And marched out of the room.

Emily barely noticed the drama, she was too lost in what Wil had said. She rushed to her feet and nearly slipped as her stilettos slid on the polished cement floor. Too impatient for any sort of hindrance, she hastily yanked off her shoes and threw them away. They landed with a clunk as they hit the floor. Wil stood, watching her and she ran to him. His arms flung out and he caught her in his big, warm, loving embrace.

‘You mean it, Wil?' she asked, looking up into his face through her watery gaze.

He nodded and kissed her lips. ‘I mean it. I love you so much. So, so much. I only want you, Emily. For always. Forever. You hear me?'

‘Yes,' she said. ‘Yes.'

All the contestants clapped and cheered as he planted a kiss on her lips, but they faded into the background. Wil was her focus.

‘I love you so much. I want to spend my life loving you.'

‘Here?' he asked.

She nodded without hesitation, no longer doubting her decision. The answer burned brightly in her blood. ‘Yes. Here. This is where I belong. I know that now.'

His eyes closed and a single tear rolled down his cheek. ‘I've dreamed of you saying that.'

‘Now it's real.'

He pulled her closer to him. ‘Yes, thank God you're real.' His hand slipped to cup her arse, the other held her waist and he kissed her as though no one was watching.

 

GET REAL—THE HOME OF REALITY TV

Catch Me a Cowboy's
biggest surprise left until the last episode

Safe to say, after the reunion episode for
Catch Me a Cowboy
, which aired last night on the Dream Network, there was not one dry eye in the house. After resident cowboy, Wil Parker, confessed his true emotions for Emily Wolfe (who left the show during episode twelve), the contestants and host, Missy Johnson, were overcome with tears of happiness. And it seems from the reactions on Twitter, Australian viewers fared no better.

RachelQue

Holy freakin' hell
#CatchMeACowboy
reunion special had me bawling my eyes out.

MasterMathews

Best. Episode. Ever. Cried and cried. Good to see Wil reunited with his true love.
#CatchMeACowboy

Jessie4956

I was fine until Wil got teary, then I lost my shit.
#CatchMeACowboy
played hard on these heart strings.

TuscanyGirl

I'm signing up for season 8. Wil is a stud with a heart. I want me one of those too!
#CatchMeACowboy

But not everyone is happy with this twist. Season seven winner, Becky Brown, is rumoured to have sold her scathing story to
Current Affairs Now
, earning herself a reported three figure sum.

While Billi Walsh, pregnant ex-wife of Parker, had this to say about the happy couple, ‘Oh please. Wil is predictable as ever, letting some bloody banshee woman carry him around by the balls.' Seems you can't please everyone.

Chapter 46

Emily steered her Mercedes off the main highway and along the dusty dirt track that cut through the lush landscape. When she drove under the weeping willows that shaded her path, she smiled. Then as Wil's farmhouse came into her line of vision in the distance, exhilaration swept over her skin, leaving her tingling.

There was no fear anymore. She loved Wil from her flesh to the marrow in her bones. A love like theirs made any ounce of fear she could have about taking the risk with Wil Parker pale and insignificant. A love like theirs couldn't be stopped by anyone or anything, let alone pesky fear.

She pulled up in front of his house and climbed out of the car. He was waiting for her on the porch, his eyes a reflection of all the love she had for him. He jogged to her and before she had a chance to say hello, he swept her off her feet and into his strong arms. She burst into giggles. Now she was doubly sure of his strength because he carried her with ease up to the front porch and across the threshold into the house.

When her feet touched the floor again, he kissed her lips for a long moment, tasting her with his tongue, taking his time with hands and lips to reacquaint himself with her. She didn't mind one bit. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight, never willing to let him go again. Never, ever, ever. He was hers. For always.

A loud meow echoed from outside. The kind of meow only a Siamese can achieve. Again it greeted them.

Wil pulled away from her, brow furrowed. ‘What the hell is that?'

Emily smiled. ‘That is Fifi.'

‘The cat?'

She nodded.

‘My God, it sounded like a strangled lamb.'

Emily laughed. ‘Oh, come on. She's not that bad.'

‘I guess we better bring her inside. We'll give her a few days to get settled before we introduce her to Daisy.'

‘Yeah. That's probably best.'

They headed back to the car and Wil carried Fifi's cat basket inside while Emily grabbed a few of the other items she lugged with her in the car. All her other possessions, which she hadn't already sold, would be arriving by truck at the end of the week. Her apartment was on the market. She believed in this relationship and had dived in head first. No more clinging to objects that represented the past. Wil was her future. That's all she had to keep her focus upon.

After placing her things on the floor in the living room, they went back to the car for the rest of the luggage.

‘Oh,' she said on their way back up to the farmhouse. ‘I got a call from Rural Real Estate on my way here. They're keen to get me on board as soon as possible.'

Wil smiled wide at her as he held the front door open with his foot while juggling her suitcase, and let her go inside first. ‘I knew they'd snavel you up.'

Emily giggled. ‘So very flattering, Wil Parker.'

With everything inside, Emily went to Fifi's cage and unlatched it. Fifi meowed a couple of times, making them both very aware of her presence, and stretched lazily before striding out. She looked up at Wil and meowed again.

Wil crouched. ‘Oh, wow, she's a gorgeous girl. Aren't you?' He lightly clicked his fingers, calling her to him. She sauntered to him and rubbed her chin along his shins, then let him stroke her on the head. Her purrs echoed into the silence.

‘That's a good sign,' said Emily.

Wil smiled. ‘A welcome addition to the Parker farm.' He stood and took Emily's hand, pulling her to him. ‘Much like her sexy-as-sin owner. I'm so glad you're here, Emily. I can't express with words how good it feels to know you're here to stay.'

Emily peered into his blue eyes and grinned. ‘You don't need to because I feel the same way.'

‘This is our house now. Our private corner of the farm. Yours and mine. And Fifi's.'

Emily shook her head.

Wil arched a brow, confusion on his features. ‘No?'

‘No. Not our house. Our
home
.'

Wil grinned wide and planted a long kiss on her lips. ‘Yes. Our home.' He pulled away from her and a cheeky expression overtook his features. He nodded in the direction of the kitchen. ‘There's dishes to be done. And what are you cooking for dinner?'

Emily gasped and Wil burst into laughter. She slapped him on the arse while giggling. ‘Oh, you do have a dirty mouth, don't you? You did not just say that.'

Wil continued to chuckle as he scooped her into his arms and carried her down the hall towards the stairs. ‘There's much more important things we could be doing. Certain bedroom activities that require our immediate attention.'

Emily slung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. ‘Now that, I couldn't agree with more.'

Thanks for reading
Catch Me a Cowboy
. I hope you enjoyed it.

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