Page 133 of The Sapphire Ocean

“What are they, Brownie?”

“When we sit on the porch looking up at the sapphire ocean.”

Peace and tranquility swept over me. Happiness and bone deep, chest aching love.

“And we’ll do that in our home, Brownie. We’ll think about this morning, our first Christmas together and remember every single detail. The way early morning light blinked through the shutters, how the coffee tasted better because we shared it from the same mug and how our laughter filled our space. We’ll sit on our porch and think about those moments that will build our forever, one ordinary miracle at a time. How does that sound?”

“Perfect. Absolutely perfect.” She paused then, a secretive smile tugging at her lips. “And Wilder… it gets even better. Rose confirmed that Songbird’s already pregnant. Obi did the business.”

I let out a low whistle, grinning so hard I thought my face might crack. “Well, damn, that’s two of us magnificent studs on this ranch.” Tally rolled her eyes earning her my best wink. “That’s history right there. Brownie,” I said on a contented exhale. “You and Gunner pulled it off. The program is already making magic and using Dreamy’s board money that we saved for you to buy into it was smart. It’s your program, your success, too.”

She ducked her head, blushing, but I tipped her chin back up. “No, don’t hide that. You should be proud. That foal is going to be a legend, and it’s all because of you.”

Her smile wobbled, tears glistening in her lashes.

I pressed a kiss to her lips, then her nose, then her forehead. “God, I loveyou. You gave me forever, you gave me home, and now you’ve given the ranch its future. And I swear, Brownie, I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you know just how incredible you are.”

She curled closer, her soft laugh breaking the emotion. “Swoony cowboy.”

“Only for you.” I winked, holding her tight. “Always for you.”

And it would be. Every moment with her would be a privilege. A life with my best friend, my lover, my future. And now the promise of new life to come, binding us to this land in ways bigger than we could have ever dreamed.

I used to think that love was something that happened to other people. Now I understood it wasn't a destination but a choice you made every morning when you woke up next to the person who matched your heart and soul. Love was about building something fragile and precious together.

And Tally Brown made it worth protecting. Always.