A Miracle for the Confident Cowboy (Love in Sweet Bloom)

AFTER THE WEDDING - GUS AND DAISY ARE BROTHER AND SISTER

Saturday morning had come gently, sunlight filtering through the kitchen window as Duke poured coffee into two mugs, letting the rich aroma fill the quiet house. Sophie shuffled in with a sleepy smile, her hair still tousled from bed, and wrapped her arms around her husband from behind.

“Morning, cowboy,” she murmured.

Duke chuckled, placing his hand over hers. “Morning, Mrs. Cowboy. Coffee?”

“Always,” she replied, stepping back to take the mug he handed her. She took a slow sip, savoring the warm depth of flavor, then looked down as a small ball of fur barreled around the corner. Daisy, her Yorkie, practically skidded across the floor as she zeroed in on her target. Gus, the cat lounging in the corner, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

“Good morning to you, too, Daisy,” Sophie said with a laugh, watching as Daisy made a beeline for Gus. He barely lifted his head, giving Daisy a long, patient stare as she circled him, wagging her tail furiously, inching closer as if her little paws were itching to snuggle up beside him.

“Careful, girl,” Duke warned in a light tone, grinning over the rim of his mug. “Gus has that look. He’s about two seconds away from letting her know who’s boss.”

“Oh, he’s all bark and no bite,” Sophie replied, moving to lean against the counter beside him. “Look, he lets her get close. Deep down, he loves it.”

“Mm-hmm. Sure,” Duke said with a grin. “Let’s see how long this peace lasts.”

Daisy inched closer, finally settling down beside Gus with a satisfied little huff. Gus tolerated her proximity, but the rapid flick of his tail betrayed his mild irritation. Duke raised an eyebrow as he watched the two.

“Gus, you’re a saint,” he muttered, taking a sip. “The things you put up with.”

“Isn’t he?” Sophie beamed. “I was so worried they wouldn’t get along, but look at them. She adores him.”

Duke chuckled, slipping an arm around Sophie’s waist. “Yeah, who would’ve thought? I figured Gus would’ve packed up and left the day you moved her in here.”

She laughed, swatting his chest playfully. “Have a little faith. He’s been king of the castle for ten years, but he’s got a soft spot. Daisy’s his shadow.”

“More like his self-appointed royal advisor,” Duke teased, watching as Daisy inched even closer, her head resting mere inches from Gus’s paw. Gus flicked an ear, but made no move to push her away.

Sophie watched them, a warm smile lighting her face. “They’re like us, you know. She’s high energy and social, and he’s… well, he’s more of a thinker.”

Duke feigned offense, pressing a hand to his chest. “Hey now, I’m plenty social.”

Sophie gave him a skeptical look. “Oh, sure. Social as a cactus.”

He gave her a crooked grin. “A real charmer, that’s me. Just took the right woman to see it.”

Sophie smiled, leaning her head on his shoulder. They stayed like that for a moment, watching as Daisy, emboldened by Gus’s tolerance, stretched her little legs out, nearly touching his paws. Gus sighed, his eyes narrowing as if contemplating his life choices, but still, he stayed.

“Alright, you two,” Duke said, finally breaking the silence. “Gus, if she gets out of line, just give her the look. Or you could swat her nose.”

Gus swished his tail, his expression one of calm acceptance, as if he knew that, despite everything, Daisy wasn’t going anywhere.

Sophie reached down, scratching Gus behind the ears. “You’re such a good big brother, aren’t you, Gus?”

Duke snorted. “Big brother, huh? I think he’d like the sound of ‘king’ a little better.”

“He’s both.” Sophie leaned down to pet Daisy, who looked up at her with a wagging tail, pure adoration shining in her eyes. “And you, little miss, you’re a very lucky girl. Not everyone gets Gus’s approval.”

Daisy let out a little bark as if she understood, and Gus, looking resigned, gave her a quick lick on the head—a rare, grudging show of affection that had Sophie gasping.

“Duke, did you see that? He licked her!”

Duke chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “Well, I’ll be. I think Gus might actually be warming up to her.”

Sophie crouched down, beaming at both pets. “See? You two are family now. Gus, you’ve got a little sister whether you like it or not.”

Gus merely blinked, his eyes settling back into their usual half-closed, unimpressed stare. Daisy curled up next to him, content as could be, her tiny body pressed against his larger frame.

“And he’s got a mom, too. I love being his mom.” Sophie smiled up at her husband and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Duke looked over at Sophie, a soft smile tugging at his lips. “Guess we’re doing alright, huh?”

She nodded, slipping her hand into his. “Yeah. I think we’re doing pretty great.”

The rest of the morning flowed in the same gentle rhythm. Duke and Sophie worked together to straighten up the house, laughing and talking, their pets sleeping close by. Gus claimed his usual spot on the couch, watching with a bemused expression as Daisy trailed him every time he moved, like a tiny shadow that he couldn’t shake.

Around noon, Duke dropped onto the couch beside Gus, scratching the cat’s chin. “Alright, Gus, let’s get something straight. You’re the boss, but you’ve gotta admit, she grows on you.”

Gus let out a low purr, his eyes narrowing slightly as he leaned into the scratch. Daisy seized the opportunity, hopping up onto the couch and nestling into Duke’s lap beside Gus, her tail wagging so hard her whole body wiggled.

Sophie leaned against the doorframe, watching the three of them with a contented smile. “You boys sure look cozy.”

Duke glanced up, grinning. “We’re real cozy. Ain’t that right, Gus?”

Gus gave him a sidelong look, as if to say he was tolerating the arrangement solely because he chose to. Duke chuckled, giving Daisy a quick scratch behind her ears. “And you, little one, you’re lucky you’re cute.”

Sophie crossed the room, sliding onto the couch beside Duke and resting her head on his shoulder. They sat like that, the four of them in a comfortable tangle of limbs and fur, the only sounds the soft purring of Gus and Daisy’s quiet, happy snuffling.

“See?” Sophie murmured. “We’re all one big happy family.”

Duke kissed the top of her head, squeezing her hand. “Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

As the afternoon sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow over their little home, Duke and Sophie shared a quiet look, a simple happiness filling the room. They didn’t need anything more than this perfect scene. They had each other, their pets, and a love that was as steadfast as Gus’s steady, unbothered stare. And that was more than enough.