asking him out

"For goodness sake, Jake, I told ya for the last time, I ain't signin' up for that competition!" The tall, lightly graying man walked into his small office on the rodeo grounds, his cell phone tucked between his ear and his shoulder. Luke Callahan hung up his cowboy hat, sighing heavily as he ran a hand through his silky soft hair. His grays danced in his deep black hair like the soft white peaks of ocean waves at nightfall. He plopped down in his chair, grunting a little as he kicked up his feet on the desk. "I mean, "get real", J. I got injured—can't do the bareback bronc ridin' anymore." \n\nLuke didn't even realize he had a visitor in his office that had been waiting for him—a pretty thing that once Luke saw them he could only gaze at them expectantly. Pinching the bridge of his nose right where his brows furrowed Luke sighed tiredly. "Listen, we'll talk later. I gotta go." \n\nLuke hung up the phone, moving his legs from the desk and scooting up his chair to peer across the desk at the intruder—er... guest. His eyes, adorned with light wrinkles on the side of them, crinkled up as he narrowed them in scrutiny. "There's office hours posted on the door, little cowbell. This is a place of business for folks lookin' to enter the rodeo competitions for the year." The memory of the phone call he just had with his younger brother made him grimace. He cleared his throat gruffly. "...that bein' said, if ya don't have business for me, I suggest ya take your leave. So, what's it gonna be?"

Luke raised an eyebrow in surprise, his gruff exterior momentarily faltering. "For me?" he repeated, a hint of confusion lacing his words. He leaned back in his chair and studied you for a moment longer before finally speaking up again.

"Well then, little cowbell," he drawled out your nickname with a faint smile playing on his lips. "What brings ya to my doorstep? And what can I do for ya?"

He waited patiently for your response, curious as to why someone like you would seek him out specifically.

Luke's eyes widened in surprise at your confession. He had noticed you before, of course—he couldn't help but notice a pretty little thing like you—but he never thought that you would be interested in him.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and clasping his hands together as he studied you intently. "Well now," he said slowly, a hint of amusement lacing his voice. "I must say I'm quite flattered by your interest in me."

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. "But let me ask ya this...why me? What makes ya think we'd be good together?"

Luke couldn't help but feel a little flattered by your words. He had always prided himself on being a responsible and caring older brother, but to hear someone else acknowledge it made him feel warm inside.

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he considered your proposal. "Well now," he drawled out slowly, giving you an appraising look. "I can't say I'm not interested...but I gotta warn ya, little cowbell."

His eyes flickered with amusement as he continued speaking. "I ain't exactly the easiest man to handle. And I don't do things half-assed—I give my all or nothin' at all."

He paused for a moment before continuing in a more serious tone. "But if that's what ya want...then yeah, let's give it a try."

Luke's eyes widened in surprise when you revealed your age. He had thought you were much younger, but now that he looked at you more closely, he could see the maturity and confidence that came with being a grown woman.

"Well, I'll be damned," he muttered under his breath before clearing his throat. "I gotta say, little cowbell...you're full of surprises."

He leaned forward again and gave you a small smile. "But I'm glad to hear that ya ain't just lookin' for a fling or somethin'. That's not really my style either."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "So what do ya have in mind? Dinner? A movie?"

Luke smiled back at you, feeling a sense of excitement building up inside him as well. "Dinner it is then," he said, nodding his head in agreement.

He stood up from his chair and walked around the desk to stand next to you. "How about I pick ya up tonight? Say...around 7?"

He reached out and took your hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze before letting go. "I know this great little place just outside of town that serves some of the best steaks you'll ever taste."

Luke nodded in agreement and pulled out his phone from his pocket. "Sure thing, little cowbell," he said as he handed you his phone to input your number.

Once you were done, he took back the phone and added his own number before handing it back to you. "There ya go," he said with a small smile. "Now we can keep in touch."

He walked you towards the door of his office and opened it for you. "I'll see ya tonight then."

As the clock ticked closer to 7 pm, Luke finished up his work and made his way back home to freshen up for your date. He took a quick shower, put on a clean flannel shirt and jeans, before grabbing his black cowboy hat.

He drove towards the location you sent him earlier and soon found himself outside your small bakery shop. As he stepped out of the truck, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous—this was his first real date in quite some time.

But as soon as he saw you waiting there for him with that gorgeous smile on your face, all those nerves melted away. "Well hello there," he drawled out with a grin as he walked over to you. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight."

He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to your cheek before offering you his arm. "Shall we?"

Luke chuckled at your compliment and led you towards his truck. He opened the door for you and waited patiently as you climbed inside before walking around to the driver's side.

As he started up the engine, he glanced over at you with a small smile. "So," he drawled out slowly. "What made ya decide to open up a bakery shop?"

He was genuinely curious about your life story, wanting to know more about this intriguing woman who had caught his eye.

Luke nodded, impressed by your determination and hard work. "That's mighty impressive," he said with a small smile. "It takes a lot of guts to start up your own business like that."

He drove in silence for a few moments before speaking up again. "So tell me more about yourself, little cowbell," he drawled out curiously. "What else do ya like to do besides baking? Any hobbies or interests?"

Luke listened intently as you spoke, nodding along and showing genuine interest in what you had to say. "Well now," he said with a small grin. "I reckon we got quite a bit in common then."

He pulled up outside the restaurant he had mentioned earlier—a cozy little steakhouse that was known for its delicious food and rustic atmosphere. He got out of the truck and walked around to your side, opening the door for you once again.

As he led you inside, his hand resting lightly on the small of your back, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement building up inside him. This was shaping up to be one hell of a date...

Luke led you to a cozy table in the corner of the restaurant, pulling out your chair for you before taking his seat across from you. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin thoughtfully at your question.

"Well," he drawled out slowly. "I reckon I'm a pretty simple man. I like working with my hands...fixing things up around the house or tinkering with my truck."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "And I love being outdoors—hiking, fishing, hunting...anything that gets me away from civilization for a while."

He gave you a small smile as he finished speaking. "But mostly, I just enjoy spending time with good company."

Luke smiled at your words, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through him. "Daniella Campbell," he repeated slowly, savoring the sound of your name on his tongue. "That's a mighty pretty name if I do say so myself."

He leaned forward slightly and gave you a small smile. "And as for what to call ya...I reckon 'little cowbell' suits ya just fine." He winked playfully before settling back into his seat.

"Now then," he drawled out slowly, picking up the menu in front of him. "What looks good to eat?"

Luke scanned the menu before deciding on a ribeye steak, medium-rare. "Can't go wrong with a good steak," he said with a grin as he handed the menus back to the waiter.

As they waited for their food, Luke leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. "So tell me more about your bronc riding days," he said curiously. "What made ya decide to try it out?"

Luke listened intently, nodding his head in understanding. "I know what ya mean," he said with a small smile. "There's nothing quite like the rush of adrenaline you get from riding a bucking bronco."

He leaned back in his chair and took a sip of water before continuing. "I remember my first time on Tempest...that was my first bronc," he said wistfully, a fond look in his eyes.

"It was terrifying at first, but once I got into the rhythm it felt like flying." He chuckled softly to himself as he remembered those days.

"But that all came to an end when I had that accident six months ago," he added with a sigh. "But hey, life goes on right?"

Luke gave you a small smile, appreciating your concern and empathy. "I appreciate that, little cowbell," he said softly. "It was a tough time for me but I'm grateful to be here now."

He reached across the table and took your hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "And I'm glad to have met someone like you who cares about my well-being."

As their food arrived, Luke let go of your hand and picked up his knife and fork eagerly. He cut into the steak with relish before taking a bite, savoring the taste.

"This is delicious," he said between bites. "How's yours?"

Luke looked up from his steak, surprised by your words. He could see the sincerity in your eyes and felt a warmth spreading through him.

"Little cowbell," he said softly, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I gotta admit...I've had feelings for you too."

He reached across the table and took both of your hands in his, looking at you with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

"I don't know what the future holds for me or my rodeo career," he said slowly. "But I do know one thing—I want to be with you."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently against yours, feeling a rush of emotions as he did so. As they pulled away, Luke couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning of something special between them.

Luke chuckled at your words, feeling a sense of contentment wash over him. He intertwined his fingers with yours and gave your hand a gentle squeeze.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said softly, gazing at you with an intensity that made your heart skip a beat.

As they finished their meal and paid the bill, Luke couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning of something special between them. They walked out into the cool night air, hand in hand, ready to face whatever lay ahead together.

Luke smiled back at you, his eyes sparkling with affection. "I had a great time too, little cowbell," he said softly. "Being around you is like a breath of fresh air."

As they pulled up outside your home, Luke turned to face you and took both of your hands in his.

"I know it's only our first date but...I can't help feeling like there's something special between us," he said slowly. "And I want to see where this goes."

He leaned forward and pressed his lips gently against yours once more, feeling a sense of warmth spreading through him as he did so.

"Goodnight, Daniella," he whispered against your lips before pulling away and watching as you got out of the truck and walked towards your front door.

As Luke drove away into the night, he couldn't help but feel like this was just thebeginning of something amazing between them. He couldn't wait to see what the future held for him and Daniella, but he knew one thing for sure—he was ready to face it with her by his side.

As the days turned into weeks, Luke and Daniella's relationship continued to blossom. They spent their time exploring new places together, trying out new foods and activities, and just enjoying each other's company.

Luke found himself falling deeper in love with Daniella with every passing day. He loved the way she laughed at his jokes, the way she looked when she was concentrating on baking a pie or decorating a cake. He loved how supportive she was of him and his dreams.

Daniella felt like everything in her life had finally fallen into place since meeting Luke. She loved spending time with him, whether they were riding horses together or just cuddled up on the couch watching TV. She felt safe around him and knew that he would always be there for her no matter what.

One night as they lay entwined in each other's arms after making love for hours, Luketurned to Daniella with a serious expression on his face.

"Dani," he said softly, stroking her hair. "I know we've only been together for a few weeks but...I can't imagine my life without you in it."

He took a deep breath before continuing. "What I'm trying to say is...will you marry me?"

Daniella's eyes widened in shock as she looked up at Luke, feeling her heart racing in her chest. She didn't need time to think about it though—the answer was clear.

"Yes!" she exclaimed, throwing her arms around him and kissing him deeply.

As they lay there wrapped up in each other's embrace, Luke couldn't help but feel like this was the best decision he had ever made. He knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Daniella by his side, and nothing could everchange that.