Page 103 of One Reckless Moment

He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the stall. He led me out of the stables and down the path, past The Village and Walker’s house. I glanced up at him confused as we passed the house and continued walking. Cash led me up to an empty field and turned to face me.

“What are we doing here?” I laughed nervously.

Cash took a deep breath. “I know we have a lot to talk about. I want to hear all about California and your adventures. I want to see your photographs and the work you did. But I need to get this out first.”

“Okay…” I trailed off, unsure where this was going.

“I understand why you needed space. We got caught up in this whirlwind and it was all-consuming. The last three months made me really sit back and think about the past and the future. It made me think about what I want and who I want it with.”

I nodded. My heart threatened to explode in my chest as the ringing in my ears intensified.

“Paige Brooks, I am so hopelessly, endlessly in love with you. I have been in love with you since I first showed up on the ranch, and that feeling never went away. I will follow you wherever you want to go. I will live the life you dream of as long as I have the chance to do it at your side. You said you felt like I never had the chance to choose what life I wanted, but I choose you. I choose you every time. You are the life that I want.”

I started shaking at his words. This was all I ever wanted from him.

“You still want to be with me?” I whispered, barely able to get the words out.

“I want to grow old with you, Paige.”

“What about the rodeo?”

“Fuck the rodeo, P. That was great. It was something I was able to earn and a summer I will never forget, but that’s not the lifestyle I want.” He took a paper out of his pocket and handed it to me.

I unfolded it and took in the image on the page.

“What’s this?” I was looking at a blueprint.

“This is our house. I used the money I made this summer to start paying your dad for the land. We can build it however you want. You can furnish it however you want. We can grow old here and watch our kids grow up loving the land the way we do. You and me. Together.”

My hand flew to my mouth in shock. Our house. You and me. Together.

I released the paper in shock. We both watched as it fluttered to the ground and landed on the dewy grass. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

“I’d do anything for you. I love you so fucking much.”

“I love you too, Jesse Leonard.”

Cash grabbed my chin, tilting it up before his lips met mine. I melted into him. I felt the last missing piece of my soul click back into place.

When Cash pulled back, he had the goofiest smirk on his face.

“So, we’re really doing this?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Yeah. We’re really fucking doing this, Pip.”

He reached inside of his shirt and pulled out a chain with three sparkling rings dangling in the center. He unclasped the necklace and slid the rings into his palm before picking up my left hand and placing them where they would sit for a lifetime.

Cash bent down and scooped me up into his arms.

I burst into laughter as he walked us back up to the big house to celebrate with the rest of the family.

47

FAMILY, I’D NEVER HAD ONE OF THOSE BEFORE

CASH

I sat in the second row inside the old barn as Lottie and Owen said their vows. Paige’s eyes met mine and I couldn’t help but smile as I took her in. She was wearing a pale blue dress that swept all the way to the ground and her hair was in a sexy slicked-back ponytail. I couldn’t wait for the ceremony to be over so I could get my hands on her.