She nods, her expression full of warmth and pride. “So do you.”
Maeve’s giggle cuts through the air as Ben lifts her higher, his deep chuckle following right behind.
Just like that, I know.
23
Epilogue - Ben
I follow the sound, leaning casually in the doorway of her flat. She’s perched on the counter, tea in one hand, video call propped up in front of her, talking to Olivia, who currently looks like she’s been personally victimised by the sun.
“Olivia, are you okay? You look like you’ve just stepped out of a sauna,” Lila says, half-laughing as Olivia aggressively fans herself with a laminated brochure.
“It’s not a sauna,” Olivia groans. “It’sTexas. There is no air. There is only heat and dust and the overwhelming stench of livestock.”
“You said it was a boutique wellness retreat,” Lila teases.
“I WAS LIED TO,” Olivia practically shrieks, sweat-slicked hair sticking to her forehead. “There’s a goat outside my window. A goat, Lila.”
I chuckle under my breath, arms folded. Olivia’s trip was meant to be soul-searching. So far, it’s looking more like accidental farm work.
Olivia adjusts the camera and accidentally pans across the ranch behind her.
Lila’s eyes narrow, her head tilting slightly. “Wait… who isthat?”
The camera lingers for a split second on a man walking across the courtyard. Tall, broad shoulders, cowboy hat low over his eyes, sleeves rolled up over solid forearms that glint in the sun. He looks like he stepped off a damn romance novel cover.
Before I can blink, Olivia yanks the phone back toward her face. “No one!”
Lila’s grin widens instantly. “That wasnotno one. That was someone. And holy hell, he’s hot.”
My brows lift.
Hot?
I step further into the kitchen, reaching around her to steal her tea. “I’m sorry—hot?”
Lila smirks over her shoulder at me. “Relax, caveman.”
“That little mouth’s gonna get you into trouble, sweetheart,” I murmur low in her ear.
Olivia makes a gagging sound from the phone speaker. “Urgh! Seriously, I did not sign up for this audio erotica.”
Lila bursts out laughing, swatting at me while I just grin and kiss the top of her head. “He’s the owner,” Olivia mutters. “Colt Lawson. The ranch’s been in his family for generations or some sentimental crap. Why he ever thought hospitality was his calling is beyond me, he’s got the people skills of a cactus.
Lila smirks. “If it’s that bad, why don’t you go to another hotel?”
There’s a pause.
Then Olivia coughs. “His mum makes the best food I’ve ever tasted.”
Lila arches a brow. “Ah. So you’re suffering in silence for the lasagna.”
“I’m suffering for her peach cobbler, actually,” Olivia huffs. “Woman’s a culinary saint. It’s a damn emotional hostage situation. I’d sleep in a goat pen if it meant getting another plate of her cornbread.”
Lila’s eyes sparkle with mischief. “Nothing to do with the hot, brooding cowboy riding past your window every morning?”
“Goodbye!” Olivia hangs up dramatically, and Lila’s still giggling as she sets her phone aside. The laughter lingers for a moment… then fades, softening into something quieter, gentler. She glances over at me, her smile dimming slightly, not in sadness, but in understanding. Her eyes meet mine, warm and steady.
