AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Knox swallowed against the nerves climbing his throat. “Jana assured me that the grant application will be canceled today, so this at least gives us a reprieve from that. But we all know Prosper is a small town, and the equestrian world is even smaller.”
His parents both nodded. Holt just frowned.
“What are you proposing?” his mother asked.
“We need to extend an olive branch,” Knox said. “I haven’t talked to Jana about this, but I want to speak to Judd Harris in person. This all started with me.”
Holt rubbed his jaw. “It takes two to tango.”
“Jana is probably one of the sweetest women in the world, and I… I am far from that. So, let’s call it for what it is. I created this, and I need to fix it.”
“With a conversation?” his dad said.
“That’s where it’s going to start,” Knox said.
“What about the plans we talked about?” Holt asked.
Yes, he and Holt had come up with a few things to get the ranch into the black, hopefully for good. One of the options they discussed was creating a fishing retreat and offering access to their river property. Another was to hold kids’ exclusive rodeo events and training. A final option would be to rent out the barn for weddings and other events that seemed to be trending with the younger generation.
“Those are still on the table,” Knox said. “I haven’t talked to Jana about them yet, but I think we should explore all of the options.”
Holt’s blue eyes remained on Knox. “You’re serious about her, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” There was no hesitation in his answer, but he also knew that his feelings for Jana might not be able to override her reservations.
He felt his parents’ gazes on him, too, and Knox released a breath. “You might as well all know that I am serious about Jana. There are quite a few complications that you’ve all been a witness to. But I want her to be a part of my future—if she’ll have me.”
His mother covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes filling with tears. “Oh, Knox,” she whispered.
His dad gave a firm nod. “Despite Jana’s father’s antics, I’d be right proud if things worked out with you and that young lady.”
Their support meant the world to him, because the path ahead was rocky.
Now, he still waited on Jana’s porch for her to show up. When he heard a car approaching, he didn’t lift his head immediately, since there had been more than one false alarm during his wait.
Then his heart rate notched up, and he knew it was her. He lifted his head to see her SUV stop in the driveway. He was standing by the time she got out.
Jana stepped out of the SUV. She wore leggings and an oversized button-down shirt. Her hair was down, tumbled about her shoulders, like she’d tossed and turned as much as he had last night. No makeup or jewelry.
Knox had never seen her look more beautiful.
He leaned against the porch railing, not wanting to approach her without knowing what was going on in her mind. Jana grabbed a traveling bag out of her back seat, then walked slowly toward him, her gaze scanning his face. She said nothing, and he couldn’t find any words, either.
When she neared, he straightened. In her eyes he saw… something that took his breath away.
Jana dropped the bag and stepped into his arms. She wrapped her arms about his waist and buried her face against his chest. Knox pulled her close and pressed a kiss against her hair. Whatever happened from here on out didn’t matter, he decided, as long as he had Jana in his life.
He moved a hand in slow circles on her back, and she only nestled closer. Knox didn’t want to ever repeat the conversation they’d had that morning when Jana had called things off. The fact that she was now in his arms gave him hope that he’d never had before. She’d stood up to her father, and Knox was going to make everything else right.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Jana murmured against his chest.
“Where else would I be?”
“On the way to Austin.” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “Don’t you have another rodeo tonight?”
“I do.”
Her brows furrowed. “What are you doing here? You need to get there.”
