You can’t lose something you haven’t found.
But what if I’ve already latched on to something that has renewed that lost hope of love for me? What if he’s the man my mom described for me all those years ago, before even knowing him?
This feels like a sign. One sent straight from my mother as a reminder that time is fragile, moments are fleeting, and love is a currency worth investing in.
I return the letter to the envelope. There are so many letters inside, new little pieces of her left to discover.
Roxy gives me a comforting smile. “These are all for you. She would have wanted you to have them. She loved you so much.”
Another tear escapes, and I scoop it up with my finger, blinking away the rest. “Thank you, Roxy. This means more than you’ll ever know. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
She scoops me into a bear hug. “Nonsense. These letters were for you. I was just keeping them safe in the meantime. This hug and having you here is payment enough.”
I laugh into her chest, feeling a little lighter than when I walked onto this quiet ranch all those weeks ago.
“Roxy?” I squeak, just now realizing something. “Exactly how booked out is the ranch this summer?”
“About that,” she replies, her voice weary, as if not trying to spook a stray cat. “We need to find you a new home, dear.”
Research Notes: a cowboy’s love can be scary but can also restore your belief in it.
grayson
. . .
TWENTY-EIGHT
I enterthe front door of The Den and gently close it behind me. I can hear Maisie and Roxy having a conversation in the kitchen, so I head that way.
“Roxy? Exactly how booked out is the ranch this summer?” Maisie asks wearily. It seems I’ve arrived just in time.
“About that. We need to find you a new home, dear.” Roxy's tone is full of sympathy.
I slowly creep down the hallway to hear where Maisie will take this conversation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that she likes her routine. I know this is going to put a giant wrench in it.
“Well, I could crash at Chesney's in the meantime,” Maisie offers.
“I’m afraid he’s been working on renovations, and it’s not suitable for guests at the moment. I would offer up The Den, but all our spare rooms are full of supplies for this season.”
“Oh, well, I could get a hotel for a bit. No biggie.”
I enter the kitchen, coming up behind Maisie. Roxy sees me but says nothing. “You can stay at my place.”
“Well isn’t that sweet,” Roxy chirps.
Maisie’s shoulders tense. She slowly turns and drags hergaze up my body. “Oh, no, I couldn't impose. A hotel will do just fine.”
I chuckle at that. “Good luck finding a room, honey.”
Her cheeks turn that pretty pink color I love so much. “Surely they have at least one vacancy.”
“Sure, probably, but there would have to be a hotel in this town for you to make that phone call. I’ll save you the trouble of searching: there’s not.” My body gravitates towards her until our chests are almost pressed together.
“I could sleep on the couch,” Maisie supplies over her shoulder to Roxy. Roxy thankfully stays out of it.
“Don’t be ridiculous. There will be cowboys in and out of here before the sun rises each morning. That’s no way to sleep after a long day on the ranch. I have an extra room, so stop making this difficult and just move in with me.” I realize my mistake right as the words leave my lips.
“Move in with you?” she says, her voice raising an octave.
