Seventeen seconds.
Not bad for my first real race after so long, but not fast enough to win.
Before, a time like this would have me spitting mad at myself. I’d be analyzing everything I did wrong, making a plan to correct it, and do better the next time. I’d be kicking myself for not winning, but today, I can’t find it in myself to be too upset.
Athena and I did our best, and we had a damn good run.
“Good girl, Athena.” I whisper in her ear as I dismount, leading her back toward the trailer. “You were perfect. I’m so proud of you.”
I don’t need to stick around to hear the results.
My mind focuses on one thing as I walk…
Did Sullivan come? He replied to my email saying he’d try, but with the season starting again, he wasn’t sure if he’d have time, and to keep him in the loop if I was ever in Montana.
I tried not to be too disappointed. I understand he’s a busy man with lots on his plate. I wonder if Briar is okay, and what’s happening with her, and then I start thinking about Juniper, like I always do.
I wish she were here. It’s been 215 days since I last saw her, last felt her lips on mine. The ache in my chest hasn’t lessened, and every day, I wonder if I should beg for a job at Forget Me Not Ranch so I can be with her.
I’ve been thinking a lot since my conversation with Mary in November, and I’ve decided to find a more permanent place. I even looked at all the training facilities in Montana so I could be closer to Juniper, but the closest one is still two hours away.
I guess I’d better save some gas money, because two hours is nothing when it comes to her. I’d drive it every single day if I needed to, just to be with her again.
When my trailer comes into view, I stop in my tracks, blinking rapidly to clear my vision. Did I hit my head on something during the race? Or is the adrenaline getting to me? It’s got to be one of those things, because there’s no way this is real.
Leaning against my truck is a gorgeous, curvy goddess. Her sapphire eyes glimmer in the setting sun, her pink lips tipping up in a shy smile.
My heart stutters.
Juniper’s here.
Panic overtakes the surprise—her anxiety. Shit, is she okay? Why is she here alone? Is she going to have a panic attack?
I pick up my pace, tying Athena to the back of the trailer so she can’t go anywhere and wiping my now-sweaty palms on my jeans. I stand a foot away from the woman who’s consumed every thought I’ve had over the last seven months.
“You were amazing out there,” she says when I’m close enough.
“What are you doing here?” My voice comes out gravelly, like I haven’t used it in months. “I mean, thank you, but are you okay? Are you overwhelmed? I can take you somewhere away from the crowd if you need me to.”
She giggles, the sound piercing right through me. God, I missed that sound.
“I’m fine. Promise. I uh… I’ve been working with my therapist on coping better in crowds. Shiloh and Cillian are here, too, so I’m not alone. I’m still a little nervous, and I’m about ready to get out of here, but I’m okay.”
My mind spins with the information, and I can’t think straight. “Your dad said he couldn’t come, so I thought…”
“He wanted to be here, but things at the ranch are hectic rightnow, so he sends his apologies.” She rolls her lips into her mouth and tilts her head. “Are you upset that I’m here?”
I take a step closer so we’re almost touching.
“Not upset,” I murmur. “Surprised, yes. Shocked. You’re the last person I thought I’d see, and this doesn’t quite feel real. I can’t imagine how difficult being here must be.”
She lifts one shoulder, like this isn’t a huge deal. “Sometimes, love is worth doing the scary thing.Youare worth doing scary things. It’s possible you’ve already moved on, but?—”
“I haven’t,” I say quickly. “There’s no world where I move on that fast from you, where I move on at all.You’ve occupied my every thought, awake and asleep, for months. I can’t even believe you’re here.”
“Let me finish my speech then, before I lose my nerve.” Juniper closes the remaining distance between us, so our bodies are pressed together. She grabs both of my hands in hers, sending a shock of electricity through me. It’s been too long since we’ve touched.
“I want to tell you at least once, since I didn’t get to before: I love you, Addison Riley. It feels like I’ve been living without half of my heart since you left. If you’ll give me another chance, I want to be with you, out in the open, for real this time. No end date in sight, no sneaking around the ranch. I can’t promise to come to every rodeo, but I can promise I’ll be there when you come back.”
