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I can feel it in my whole body. There’s not an ounce of doubt in me.
I press my foot harder on the brake, easing the car to a full stop. But then I’m just left sitting there, frozen still as I stare at Carter riding the horse toward us.
“Uh…Mom?” Sadie asks. “Are you okay?”
I nod. Take a breath. Turn off the car’s engine. Then, with a slight shake in my hands, I unclick my seatbelt and get out of the car. I hear Sadie get out of the passenger side as the rhythmic thuds of the horse’s hooves grow louder.
At the edge of the field, Carter effortlessly dismounts his horse and starts to walk over. He tips off his cowboy hat as he comesnear. Tousled brown hair frames his face, and his jaw is covered in a scruffy beard. The closer he comes, the taller and broader he seems.
I’m still speechless as he wraps me in a hug, a gorgeously earthy, leathery, sun-kissed scent enveloping me in the process. To be embraced by this man after all these years feels nothing short of miraculous.
“Hi, Carter,” I manage to whisper against his ear.
“Can’t believe you’re finally here,” he murmurs, holding me tight.
2
CARTER
I’m going to marry this woman.
I’ve wanted it for years, but now that I’ve finally gotten to meet her in person, I know as much as I’ve known anything that it’s not just a fantasy built up in this big ol’ dreamy head of mine. She’s the singular love of my life, and if I can’t make her my wife, I’m not going to bother trying with anyone else.
I know it must seem crazy that I’ve kept myself away from her for so long. But I didn’t want to risk ruining what we have. This friendship has been everything to me, my primary source of happiness. She’s my rock, my inspiration, my confidante. I couldn’t risk losing all of that.
But now she’s here. And it’s time that I finally tell her how I feel.
I could keep holding Andrea like this for hours, it feels so good. Goddamn, does it feel good. All those hundreds of letters we’ve written to each other over the years sure did a number on my heart, but they didn’t prepare me for how I’d feel in this moment. It feels like pure magic.
Guess it would be a bit much if I dropped down on one knee right here and now, huh?
Reluctantly, I release my arms from around Andrea. When I look down at her face, I’m overwhelmed all over again by her beauty. She has the most jewel-like green eyes, and gorgeously round, full cheeks. Her curves are something else, too. Christ. She’s bigger and more curvy than I expected, and I love it.
Andrea’s daughter clears her throat, and I regain my composure. Turning my attention to the eight-year-old standing a few feet away, I stick out a hand toward her in greeting.
“I’m Sadie,” she says confidently, her shoulders pushed back and her chin tilted up.
“Nice to meet you, young lady,” I say, shaking her hand. “How was the drive?”
“Long,” she says, flashing me a look of disapproval, as if the distance was my fault.
I chuckle. “I apologize for living out in the middle of nowhere.”
“How bigisthis place?” Sadie asks, looking around.
“Sadie,” Andrea says. Then she smiles quickly at me. “It’s a very beautiful property.”
I nod my thanks. “I feel lucky to take care of it. I’ll give you both a tour later.” In my periphery, I see George coming over. “Andrea, Sadie, let me introduce you to George, my right-hand man. He’ll be taking your things inside. Please feel free to follow him into the house. I need to see to my horse, and then I’ll join you ladies.”
A hesitant expression passes over Andrea’s face before she nods and smiles at me. “Okay. We’ll see you inside.”
Usually, I take my time with everything I do, especially when it comes to tending to the animals on my ranch. But today I make haste of the usual routine. I quickly ride Copper back to the barn, get her unsaddled, and make sure she has ample hay and water before giving her a loving pat on the neck and swiftly making my way over to the house.
Entering my mud room, I catch my reflection in the mirror on the wall and see how filthy I am from this morning’s duties around the ranch. Dust and dirt clings to my shirt and weathered jeans, and the bandana around my neck is damp with sweat.
I can’t spend my first hours with Andrea and her daughter like this.
After hanging my hat on its usual hook, I make my way further into the house and duck into the nearest bathroom. It’s always felt excessive to have as many bathrooms as I do in this house, but right now I’m grateful that there’s one so easily accessible to me. As I shuck off my soiled clothes, I use the intercom to ask George if he could please bring me some fresh clothes.
