Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Where did you go?” I ask, glancing around.
“I walked up the road a bit, back toward the ranch, and found one of the old sheds on Bridger land.”
“Damn,” Chance says. His Stetson has kept his face dry, but droplets fall off the brim and wet the shoulders of his shirt. “One of the tasks on my list was to get rid of all those old structures that we don’t use anymore. Now we’ll get them stocked for emergencies instead.”
“I’m glad it was there,” Carly says. “I was able to get out of the rain and wait it out. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”
I kiss the top of her wet head again. “I know that. We all do. Right, Mayor?”
He nods, which is the first time he and I agree on anything.
“My God,” I breathe. “Nothing else matters now. You’re here, and you’re safe.”
She pulls away then and I let her. Barely. Goes to her father and hugs him. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
“You don’t have to be sorry.” Vance tips his daughter’s chin up so she looks at him. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry I’ve been so…” He shakes his head.
“It’s all right, Daddy. I understand. You and Mom are just scared. Scared of losing me again. But I promise you that I’m not going anywhere.”
“He’s leaving, only here for the will,” he tells her.
I stiffen at the implication, but he’s right. Was right. “I’m not leaving Carly. Who knows what a year will bring? She might leave me for vet school. But I’ll follow her anywhere. Hell, I’ll even stay here with my pain-in-the-ass brothers if that’s what Carly wants.”
“I want to be with Austin.” She glances at me. Love shines in her eyes.
My heart nearly bursts. Love for this woman flows through me, and the intensity of it astounds me.
I want to confess my love to her, but right here? In front of my brothers? In front of her father?
Carly steps away from her father then.
I take my chance to grab her.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again, Carly Vance. Don’t you ever leave me again.”
She sinks her head into my chest. “I don’t want to, Austin. Not ever.”
“Good. Because I love you. I love you so damned much.”
Yeah, I didn’t wait. Because I’ve learned that I have to live in the here and now. Grasp happiness where I can. And I’m going to find it with this woman. She and I. Together.
31
CARLY
* * *
Austin’s words permeate me. Infuse me with warmth. Though I’m soaking wet, dirty with mud, and a complete mess, none of that matters.
I feel like the most beautiful princess in the world nestled in Austin’s arms, his words of love flowing around us and protecting us like a soft cloud.
“I love you, too,” I say against him. “So much.”
We stay in our cloud for a moment, just the two of us.
Until a throat clears.
It’s my father. Yeah, maybe not the best time to profess our love for each other. My cheeks heat.
I pull away. “Daddy?”
He clears his throat. “I owe you an apology, Bridger. All of you, actually.”
“It’s all right, Mayor.” Chance sets his thumbs in the front pocket of his jeans.
I look up at Austin, and all I see in his face is pure relief. Pure happiness that I’m here.
My father steps forward. “You seem to truly care about my daughter.”
“I do, Mayor. It wasn’t my intention to profess my love to her in front of you and my brothers, but when I was faced with losing her…”
“You both need to chill,” Carly says. “Neither of you is ever going to lose me. I know how to take care of myself.”
“You do, sweetheart,” Dad says. “I’m sorry I didn’t have more faith in you.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“You’d better not be going anywhere,” Austin adds.
My father sticks his hand out then, and Austin shakes it. He moves on to Chance and Miles next.
It’s a start. My father will never love the Bridgers. He’ll always associate them with their father and whatever bad things he did. But he’s willing to try.
That’s all I ask for. Because I never want to have to pick. I just learned my heart is big enough for the man who raised me and the man I want to spend my life with.
“You need to get out of the weather. Some dry clothes,” Dad advises.
We’re all waterlogged, but I’m muddy and there’s grass in my hair.
I don’t disagree, but he surprises me with his next words.
“Go with Austin, sweetheart. He’ll take care of you.”
I feel Austin’s fingers lightly squeeze my hip. Yeah, he’s stunned too.
“Daddy?”
“Go. Be happy. And be home for dinner.”
He’s actually smiling, which makes me smile.
“Six o’clock, Austin. I’m sure you’ll like my wife’s pot roast.”
He’s inviting Austin?
“Yes, sir. I’m sure I will.”
I feel like a fish with my mouth opening and closing, but he turns and heads to his truck before I can say anything.