Kylie frees herself to log info into the old, weathered computer in the corner, talking over her shoulder at me. “When you’re done feeding that calf, Tate wants us to check on the pregnant mares by the west fence. Think you can handle not being distracted by yournew husband?”
I nearly choke on my own spit. I guess that means Theo will be out there. “Can we not call him that at work?”
Kylie grins like the Cheshire cat. “Nope.”
Caleb is shaking his head while he disinfects the floor. “Still offended you never told us you guys were even dating.”
I clear my throat, cheeks burning. “It happened fast.”
Kylie snorts. “You’ve been making heart eyes at each other for, like, a year.”
I freeze, looking up. “We have not.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” she says, patting my arm like I’m delusional. “It was so obvious we started a betting pool.”
“What?!”
Caleb nods enthusiastically. When I glance at Dr. Ramirez, she doesn’t say anything, but she does nod with a shrug.
“I won when you two broke the marriage news. Although, my bet was that you’d justbe togetherat some point this summer, not necessarily marriage,” Kylie says. “And for the record, I’m glad you’re finally getting some.”
I nearly drop the bottle, and the calf struggles to keep it upright. “We—we aren’t—”
“You don’t have to be a prude here,” Kylie says, raising a hand. “We are all very happy that you and Theo Strickland are having hot, married sex.”
My face is burning.Burning.
“As your superior, I feel like I’m obligated to say that I have no real opinion onthat,” Dr. Ramirez pipes up, still going through her files.
“Deep in her heart, she’s happy,” Kylie amends.
I feel the need to sputter some kind of response, but for the life of me, I can’t come up with anything.
Kylie’s expression shifts, her teasing melting into sincerity. “Seriously, Cora. We’re all happy for you. And thrilled that this marriage means you’re bound to the US for life.”
Caleb nods in agreement.
I bite my lip, Kylie having unintentionally just walked right into the point.
Suddenly an image from the other night flashes through my mind. Theo’s hand brushing that tear off my cheek. The quiet promise in his voice: “You will always have a home here, Cora.”
And the strangest thing happens.
For the first time in months, fear loosens its grip on me.
Just a little.
Because maybe this whole thing will work out. I’ll get that green card; I’ll get to stay here in the US, at Thatcher Ranch, with my friends—no, myfamily. Theo and I will divorce and be free to find people of our own. And it won’t be weird. Or sad. Or anything, really.
Everything will work out just fine.
Chapter twelve
Theo
Moonlightstreamsthroughtheblinds of my bedroom window, and I blink lazily, taking a deep breath. I roll over, stretching, absentmindedly wondering what woke me before closing my eyes and preparing to drift back off.
But then a soft noise pierces the stillness of the air, soft enough that I almost don’t notice it.
