“You did that,” I tell her.
“Partly,” she agrees, “But it’s okay to admit when we need help. And to take it when it is offered. You never questioned helping me, Silas. You are a good man. Better than any man I have ever known.”
I reach up and tuck a honey-blonde strand of hair behind her ear. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she replies. “Always.”
Chapter Forty-four
3 months later
Ada grabs the shot glass and throws it back, her nose scrunching as the harsh liquor goes down her throat.
“Ack,” she sticks her tongue out, “it doesn’t get nicer.”
I chuckle and pluck the shot glass off the bar, and then clear up the salt and lime.
“See you tomorrow?” She asks, gathering up her purseand coat.
“Off already?”
“I am desperate for a shower,” she waves at Niamh behind me and raps her knuckles against the bar, “Also tell that fiancé of yours that Dottie is learning a thing or two from Granger. A real natural. With some hard training, you may have a new cutting horse on your hands.”
I grin. “I’ll let him know.”
She waves goodbye and tucks her coat close as she heads out. Winter’s come early to the mountains, turning the vibrant landscape white with frost and the promise of snow soon. I thought it was beautiful in the summer, but then fall came and set fire to the mountains. The nights grew colder, the air crisper.
“Mind taking this to table seven?” Niamh slides a tray toward me and points to the shadowy booth set at the back of the bar.
“Sure!” I slide out from behind the counter and pluck up the tray. It’s a single whiskey on the rocks, the color of the liquid reminding me of the color of Silas’s eyes. He proposed to me two months ago, on a warm summer night while the ranch slept around us. The ring glimmers in the low light of the bar; the oval citrine surrounded by diamonds shaped into flowers on a platinum band.
There was no doubt in my mind when I said yes. Perhaps it was quick, rather soon after Calvin’s death, but Silas is the one for me. I had thought little about soulmates; I suppose I didn’t believe in them, not until him at least.
“Here you go,” I smile at the customer, concentrating on not tipping over the glass as I place it on the table.
They say nothing as I turn to leave, but then a hand slides around my hip and I’m tugged back, my spine landing against a warm, hard chest.
“I missed you, Honeybee,” Silas’s voice purrs beside my ear before I feel the graze of his pointed canine tug my earlobe.
My body immediately responds, skin breaking out into goosebumps as his hand slides to my stomach and he pulls me in closer.
“Silas,” I tilt my head to the side, the scratch of his facial hair brushing against my cheek. “What are you doing here?”
“Am I not allowed to visit my wife at work?”
My cheeks bloom with heat. “I’m not your wife yet.” There’s a teasing edge to my voice. We haven’t set a date for the wedding, but I’m happy to wait. We’re happy where we are, living together, sleeping together and working together. The kids are back at school, and since Beth retired a month ago, we’ve found a routine with them too.
They’re not mine, but it feels like they are. I love them as if they were.
“We should rectify that,” he rasps, brushing his lips along my jaw.
I chuckle, “Should we now?”
“Mmhmm,” he mumbles, “Go get your things. I want to take you somewhere.”
“Now?” I squeak. “I’m working.”
“Niamh is good with it, I checked.”
