Page 27 of Lost Trust

Bryce points toward the eastern horizon. “She’s developing a guest ranch over there.”

I follow his gesture, but from here, I can only see miles and miles of rolling land. “Guest ranch?”

“That’s the plan. Cabins, riding vacations, ranch experiences. She’s still getting everything developed.”

I sit back, absorbing it all. “So, this isn’t just a ranch. It’s an entire family enterprise.”

“Pretty much. Including their mother’s side of the family tree. The Trust clan.”

I look at him.

Then something else clicks.

“Wait.”

Bryce looks over.

“Trust? As in Axle and Royce Trust? The bull riding brothers?”

He nods.

My mouth drops open.

“Axle Trust. The cowboy who beat you at the finals last weekend?”

“The very same.”

I sit back against the seat. “Well, that’s a twisty little family you’re hitching your wagon to.”

Bryce laughs. “Irene and Boone Trust are the girls’ aunt and uncle,” he says. “They help run the ranch. Manage the cattle and bison herds. Axle, Royce, and Cabe are their three sons. Then there’s Micah, another cousin.”

Axle Trust is one of those cowboys people have been talking about for years. Royce isn’t far behind him. Both gorgeous. Both talented. And both known for their antics in and out of the arena.

A shiver runs down my spine at the memory of some of Royce’s out-of-arena antics that I know well, but I quickly push those thoughts away.

“You’ll probably see a lot of familiar faces this weekend.”

I shake my head.

“Cabe. That name doesn’t ring a bell. Is he a bull rider too?”

“Nah. Cabe’s a real-deal cowboy and Wildhaven Storm’s foreman.”

There is something in his voice when he talks about them. Something settled. Something that tells me this isn’t just a ranch he visits because he’s marrying Charli. It’s a place he’s already made home.

I smile. “How wonderful for you and Charli.”

He looks at me.

“I mean it,” I say. “You two finding each other. It sounds like something that was written in the stars.”

“Yeah.”

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

The truck rolls deeper into the ranch, and the farther we go, the more peaceful it becomes. The highway feels like it’s a hundred miles behind us now. All I can hear is the crunch of gravel beneath the tires, the occasional lowing of cattle, and Ryder’s excited little commentary from the back seat.

A massive barn comes into view ahead, its dark timber construction standing against the bright green fields. Horses graze behind wired fence nearby, tails swishing lazily in the heat.