Page 152 of Thaw My Heart

My lips turn up into a smirk. “Cowboy carwash.” Something like that would make a lot of money. Front page news in The Silver Lake Gazette. We could probably settle the debt in a single day.

He frowns. “I knew you’d say something like that.”

“Okay, fine.” I laugh. “No, cowboy carwash.” I scan the room, trying to think of more ideas.

The dance floor is full of happy couples, the tables are lively with laughter, and at the bar, Ryker’s already engaged in a drinking game with young Tanner and Hudson.

Kinley, Leah, and Sierra laugh together in the corner as neon lights cast a colorful glow on their bright faces. Wes is playing a game of pool with other ranch hands, enjoying each other’s company like one big family.

Everything about this scene and this place was exactly what I dreamed of as a kid.

“What about cowboy camp?” I ask.

Kit’s dark brow arches with interest. “Go on.”

“We can host weeks in the summertime where we teach people to ride horses, feed and herd cattle, and experience real ranching life. I would’ve loved such an experience when I was younger.”

Thoughts pass behind his eyes, and he nods. “That’s a pretty good idea. I can work with that.”

“Still, though, cowboy carwash would be a huge hit,” I smirk.

He sighs roughly. “I’m sure it would be.”

Another idea forms in my mind. “Also, what if we sell merchandise? T-shirts, hoodies, ballcaps… I think a lot of people would love that.” Myself included. “We could create some traditional Lone Pine Branding ones, and maybe one that says, Lone Pine Ranch, where cowgirl dreams come true.”

A smile tugs at his lips. “I like it.”

“Good,” I smile. “Anyways… what about you? If you want to talk about futures and dreams… I know being at this ranch for the rest of your life wasn’t your dream, but⁠—”

His calloused hand finds my jaw, caressing it softly, stopping my words. “It might not have been my first dream, Sadie, but it’s my last.” His thumb traces my jawline. “This is my new dream. The only dream that matters. I’ve never wanted anything more than this.” And then his lips are on mine, taking my breath away.

Maybe the view of the future wasn’t too clear, but this is the life I’d always dreamed of. The ranch. My new friends. My new family. I came here looking for an escape, hoping to find a safe place to call home, and I’d found so much more. The steady softness of Kit’s heart will always be my safe place.

Epilogue

5 Months Later (May)

The past five months have been the happiest of my life. Despite losing most of the main barn and some tack we’ve already replaced, loving Sadie is the easiest job in the world.

The job I was built for.

Somehow, we survived the winter, coming together in more ways than one. And with the help of everyone on the ranch, Lone Pine is beginning to feel like the way it was before all the chaos. Plus, with the snow melting away, I can finally get to work on rebuilding better. Stronger.

Lone Pine is nothing if not resilient.

But with melting snow comes shitty roads. Sloppy and slushy. Not a great combo when you’re dating a woman with a truck from the seventies who’s as reckless as they come.

Until now, that is. Because currently hiding in between the pines is a brand new Ford truck, in her favorite color, of course. All that’s missing is a big bow wrapped around it, but I thought that would be too much.

“This is one fancy birthday present.” Ryker stands near the front end, inspecting it. “Are you sure this won’t offend her? She seems to like old things. Which, funnily enough, is probably why she likes you, old man,” he adds with a grin.

I frown. There’s a small chance she’ll be offended by the replacement, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting her take that old truck into town anymore. It’s too dangerous. Today’s rendezvous to Aspen Hollow will be her last.

Unless she wants me to have a goddamn stroke.

“That’s why it’s blue,” I defend.

“Right,” he smiles. “And how much did you spend on it?”