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He’s grinning.
“Charlie ...what?” I pause. “I thought he was gone.”
“Not anymore. I called the buyers the day you said you were stayin’. I know how much you love him.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Why? Why would you do this?”
He chuckles as if I’ve asked him the most obvious question in the world. “To make you happy.”
He bridges the gap between us, staring down into my eyes. “He’s yours, baby. If you want him.”
“Of course, I want him. I just ...” A kaleidoscope of joy bursts inside of me as I glance at the horse.
Mine.
This beautiful pony I’ve loved since the day I set foot on the ranch ismine.
What Charlie’s done says so much. Permanence. Forever.
My cowboy would do anything for me.
Hot tears burn the backs of my eyes.
And then I’m jumping into his arms and kissing him with every breath in my body. Kissing him with a desperate need to sear his touch, his lips to my very soul. A rough growl leaves him as he hikes my legs around his waist, pinning me to him.
“Yes.” I gasp, pulling back to cradle his handsome face. “Thank you. I love him. I loveyouso much, Charlie.”
His throat works like he’s not used to me saying the words. “All he needs is a name, darlin’.”
“Winslow. His name is Winslow.” I don’t even have to think about it. My mind journeys back to that hot Arizona town, the site of my spin-the-bottle roulette, the day I made a choice and decided on my future, even if I didn’t know it at the time.
The day I jumpstarted my heart.
My truck bumps along the gravel road from the creek bed back to the lodge. I rove my eyes around my ranch, appreciating the beauty. The green pasture. Bright blue skies. Jagged peaks of Meadow Mountain. The long hot summer days are about to be drenched by summer storms. I spent most of the day adding gravel to places where rain creates big potholes and putting in automatic water tanks for our bull pens.
Every cell in my body screams to be at home with Ruby. Although she’s most likely in the barn. I haven’t been able to drag her away from Winslow. The look on her face when I gave her that colt—such awe and joy. I want to make her look like that every day for the rest of her life.
Because she’s turned my entire world around.
She’s the neon light I’ve been looking for.
I pull over on the side of the road, allowing the cattle to cross. Their deep lows fill the air. With the end of summer nearing, the cows are restless and want to move closer to the ranch.
In two weeks, Runaway Ranch will close for the season. The arrival of crisp air and shorter days brings new work. Checking winter forage inventory. Sending Wyatt’s horses to auction. Fixing up the ranch for next year. Even when it’s a hundred degrees, I can’t help but plan for the fall.
I can’t help but plan for Ruby. There’s so much more I want with her.
Because she’s staying. She’s home. This is her ranch now and building our life starts here. Before long, I’ll put a ring on her finger. Give her a garden. Finish her bucket list. Take her back to Wildheart and introduce her to my family. Have babies.
Fuck anyone who thinks it’s fast. I’ve been living in slow motion for the last ten years.
She’s shown me a million ways I could live my life, but all I want to do with it is worship her.
For all the directions she’s pushed me this summer, I’m still aware she hasn’t told me about her past. While I told her about Maggie, she looked up at me with an expression I had never seen before.
Dread.
My hands tighten on the wheel.
