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Cheyenne jogged over to the fence, hopped up onto the bottom rung, and pecked a kiss on Jo’s cheek. “Thanks, Jo. You won’t regret it, I promise.”
“Then start proving it now,” Jo said, smiling. “Take him back to the stables, get him in a stall, and give him something good to eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” With that, Cheyenne grabbed Benny’s reins and led him toward the stables, chatting to him the whole way. “Did you hear that, boy? You’re gonna stay. And you’re gonna be mine.”
Frankie laughed, following in Cheyenne’s wake. “I’ll stick with the kid for a while and make sure she gets her chores done.” She flashed a smile in Earl’s direction. “It’s a beautiful day. When I get back to the house, I’ll cook us up some lunch and we can sit out on the deck and eat together. Soak up some of this beautiful sun. What d’you think, Earl?”
Earl chuckled. “I think I’ll go inside, get the steaks out of the freezer, and start defrosting them. Then I’ll set up the grill on the deck and we can cook together.”
Frankie seemed happy with that. “Hey, I ain’t gonna argue with having a helping hand in the kitchen.”
She followed Cheyenne and Benny to the stables as Earl headed toward the main house.
“Want to come inside and take a break?” Earl asked over his shoulder.
“Not yet.” Jo shoved off the fence and started walking back toward the new paddock. “I’m going to spray some more paint on that fence first; then I’ll join you.”
One hour later, Jo had finished spray painting another section of the new paddock fence. Sweat beaded on her brow and her cheeks burned as though she’d gotten a bit too much sun. Exhaling, she set down the spray gun, ran the back of her hand across her forehead, and leaned back, stretching her tight back muscles. Her muscles ached, her arms were heavy and tired, but just the sight of the progress she’d made filled her with sweet satisfaction.
The delicious aroma of sizzling steak and charcoal lingered on the spring air, wafting past Jo’s nose. Earl, Frankie, and Cheyenne were all on the back deck now, working around a grill Earl had set up, and Jo’s heart squeezed at the sight of them laughing, an unexpected pang of grief shooting through her as she imagined Brooks standing there as well, just as he had on so many occasions over the past few months.
Eyes burning from more than just the sting of sweat, she stretched her arms overhead, rolled her shoulders, and walked away, stealing a few moments to hide her grief before joining them. Today was a good day and she wouldn’t ruin it.
She slowed her steps across the bluegrass and closed her eyes, tilting her head back and enjoying the cool whisper of the spring breeze over her sweat-slicked skin. It was peaceful here, with the birds chirping and the tall grass rustling in the breeze, but heavy steps across the ground and a quiet snuffle prompted her eyes to open and focus on the oak trees in the distance.
And there, between two strong oaks, Brooks emerged, leading Another Round across the grassy field toward her.
Jo stopped in her tracks, her breath catching at the sight of Brooks’s muscular frame, striding purposefully across the field, his dark eyes fixed on her and a slow smile spreading across his face.
She stood frozen in place as they drew close, her heart kicking against her ribs. “Wh-what are you doing here? You’re supposed to race in a couple days.”
Brooks stopped a few feet away from her, grinning wider as Another Round continued forward, nudging his broad head against her waist, seeking her attention and affection. “Well, this guy here got to missing you and let me know it was time to come home. I was feeling the same, so I decided to pack up, call it quits, and leave the race and everything that went with it behind.” He chuckled as Another Round pushed closer to her, nudging her back a step. “And, seeing as we’re back in town now, we thought we’d pay you a neighborly visit.”
Jo stumbled once more under Another Round’s insistent nudging then steadied herself and hugged the thoroughbred’s neck, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “You’re not my neighbor.”
The happy light in Brooks’s eyes died. “What do you mean?”
Jo patted Another Round’s neck, eased around him, and walked the few feet between her and Brooks, only stopping when the toes of her boots met the toes of his. She tilted her head back and looked up at him, her eyes searching the dark depths of his, her smile growing so big her cheeks ached with happiness. “You’re not my neighbor,” she whispered. “You’re family. And I’m glad you finally came home.”
Brooks shook his head slowly, his bright smile reemerging. “Lord, I’m glad you said that.”
He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close, lifting her to her tiptoes and covering her mouth with his. The tender pressure of his lips parting hers and the warm, intoxicating taste of his kiss was all too familiar . . . and so very missed! Her skin tingled with pleasure and her blood rushed, the surge of emotions swirling inside her evoking a heady sensation that left her feeling almost dizzy when he lifted his mouth from hers.
She missed his kiss immediately, but the separation was more than worth it to hear his next words.
“I love you, Jo,” he murmured softly against her cheek as he nuzzled her ear and glided his cheek against her neck. “My time is the most valuable asset I have, and I don’t want to spend another second of my life without you in it.”
Heart fit to burst, she whispered, “Well, you’re in luck. Because I love you, too, and we have all the time in the world.”
EPILOGUE
“I’m sorry this is going to happen to you, but you deserve it.”
Jo’s brows rose as she backed away from Brooks, laughter bursting from her lips at the mischievous grin on his handsome face. “What are you doing, Brooks? What are y—oh, good grief!”
Another eruption of laughter broke from her lips as he tugged her against him, wrapped his arms around her, and fell backward into a brightly colored pile of fall leaves they’d finished raking only minutes earlier.
“Brooks!” she gasped, laughing, as she tumbled on top of him, his strong hands settling her gently against him. “We just finished raking these up.”
