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“I know. And I tried to stay away, but I can’t help the way I feel.”
“Fuck you! And fuck the way you feel!”
“Cade!” Maeve snaps. Her eyes are watery, but she looks determined as she rounds on her brother. “I know you think I’m just a kid. But I’m not. I’m a grown woman with my own brain and my own heart, and I can make my own choices. And Jackson Ryder is my choice.” She takes a step away from her brother, joining me on the doorstep. “I’m sorry. Really, Cade, I never meant to fall for your best friend. But I love him, and there’s nothing you can say that is going to change that.”
Cade doesn’t say a word. He seems shocked by his sister’s outburst, torn between fury and confusion. He runs an agitated hand through his beard before pushing past me, knocking his shoulder hard against mine as he heads for the trees farther up the mountain.
“Cade? Where are you going?” Maeve calls after him anxiously.
“I need to think. Give me time.”
We watch as he stomps off through the snow and disappears into the trees, leaving silence in his wake. As soon as he’s out of sight, I turn to Maeve and pull her close, drinking in her familiar scent. She cries softly against my shoulder, and I squeeze her tight, rubbing her back.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter in her ear, pressing a kiss against her neck. “I know you said you couldn’t tell him, but I just couldn’t go back to life without you, princess. I need you.”
Maeve pulls back to look at me, her cheeks stained with tears, but she manages a small smile. “You don’t need to apologize. I’m glad you did what I wasn’t brave enough to do. I just hope Cade will be able to forgive us. And maybe, one day, accept us.”
I press a kiss against the top of her head. “Trust me, your brother is a good man underneath that rough exterior. He cares about you more than anything, Maeve. Even if he’s mad right now, he wouldn’t want you to be miserable.”
Maeve nods, sighing. “You’re right.” She rests her head against my shoulder, her mouth brushing against my ear as she asks, “Did you really mean what you said?”
“What did I say?”
“You know…the part about being in love with me.”
I don’t reply at first. Instead, I lean in to capture her lips in a searing kiss, my heart thumping at her sweet, familiar taste.
“Of course I meant it,” I tell her. “More than I’ve ever meant anything. I love you, Maeve. I don’t care if it’s too soon, and I don’t care about the age gap or what your brother thinks. I’m totally fucking in love with you, beautiful. That’s all that matters to me.”
Maeve’s whole face glows as she looks at me, her pretty green eyes full of emotion.
“I love you too, Jackson. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”
Pure happiness blooms inside my chest. Nothing else matters as long as I have my girl.
My perfect girl.
All my life I’ve been a loner, keeping people at arm’s length. But Maeve has changed that forever. I never want to go back to life without her. I finally understand how my brothers felt when they met their wives—the all-consuming desire, the overwhelming love. I can’t wait to put a ring on Maeve’s finger and show the world that she’s mine.
“Jackson,” she says, her face a whole mix of emotions, “you’ve known my brother for twenty years. You probably know him better than anybody. Do you really think he’ll come around?”
I nod, pressing a kiss against her forehead. “I know he will. He didn’t even hit me, so he’s already taking this better than I expected.” Maeve chuckles as I continue, “We just need to give him time. Everything will be okay, Maeve. Better than okay. I promise.”
Her pretty pink lips curve into a smile that melts my heart.
“I believe you.”
10
Maeve
It’s a bright, crisp morning on Blaze Valley Ranch. The snow has cleared up a little, but the swirling white clouds overhead suggest there will be more to come. Soon enough, Blaze Valley Ranch will be the perfect winter wonderland. The thought fills me with cozy excitement, and I melt back against Jackson’s strong chest with a smile.
“Keep hold of the reins, baby,” he says in his rumbling voice. With a start, I snap out of my winter daydreams, remembering I’m currently sitting five feet off the ground on the back of a wild animal.
“Sorry! Got them.”
Jackson is seated on the saddle behind me, and his strong presence helps to soothe my nerves. I’ve never ridden a horse before, but now that I’ve got a sexy cowboy for a boyfriend, it seems like a pretty good time to start.
