If it were anyone other than Luke standing opposite me right now, saying those words, I’d feel pretty petrified. I’d be doubting the truth of them.
But itisLuke standing opposite me, and that makes all the difference.
We haven’t known each other long, I remind myself. We don’t know each other well, either.
I’m scared to fully trust him. To believe that someone who seems this good can be true.
“Madison,” he says, gently tipping my chin up to his so I meet his eyes. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking this is a lot to process.”
“I know.” He bends his head and kisses me again. This time, it’s soft. Reassuring. “I have an idea. How about I show you around, and you just let everything percolate. You don’t have to make any decisions right this second. Just stay with me for a while. Get some fresh air and sunshine. It’ll all become more clear.”
Between his velvety voice and the way he touches me and looks at me, my heartbeat gets steadier. It feels like I’ve had a shock, but I don’t feel panicked anymore.
I don’t feel alone.
I don’t feel scared.
Not in that way I’ve felt scared most of my life—like there’s no safety net. Like if I fall, there will be no one there to catch me.
Luke would catch me, I think.
Me, and what might be a very teeny-tiny little human now inside me.
CHAPTER 12
Honey
We spend the next few hours with Luke giving me the tour of his family’s land. The Montana mountains rise up in the distance, their peaks still dusted with snow even though it’s a warm, breezy day down here in the valley.
The late afternoon sun casts everything in gold, from the sprawling pastures to the distant cattle. Even the pine forests climbing the hillsides look gold-dusted. It’s breathtaking, all that wild beauty stretching on forever.
And Luke’s taking me deeper into it, to this haven, this kingdom, that belongs to his family.
Raising a kid here would be beyond my wildest dreams.
“Your ranch is incredible,” I tell him. “And not at all what I was picturing.”
“What were you picturing?”
“You said this place had fallen on some hard times, so I was picturing… you know, hard times. As far as I can see, this looks like a freaking postcard.”
“The grass starting to grow back helps. It looked like hellafter all the rain. I would have invited you here sooner, but I figured I’d have a hard time selling you on an expensive mud pit.” His turquoise eyes nearly sparkle in the sunlight. “Now, come with me. I’ve been saving the best for second-to-last. ”
“What’s the best?”
“You’ll see.”
I follow him to the stables, where horses with shiny coats munch on fresh hay. He introduces me to all of them and they immediately come up to him with eager snuffles and warm, dark eyes.
The border collie, Daisy, follows us everywhere, and she gazes up at Luke as adoringly as the rest of the animals.
A man who’s adored by animals is the greenest of green flags.
“Apparently your female fan club transcends all species.” My tone is teasing, but there’s a feeling of something sincere and warm and overwhelming swelling inside my chest.
He rubs Daisy’s head affectionately. “These girls just love me because I give ‘em treats.”
