“I don’t know,” I admit, the words difficult to say. “But I’m not willing to let her go either.”
Jesse studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Then we’ll just have to be extra careful. For her sake as well as ours.”
We finish our drinks in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. The night has deepened around us, stars appearing one by one in the vast Dakota sky. Finally, I push away from the railing.
“I should get her home. She’s had a long day.”
Jesse claps a hand on my shoulder. “It’s good to see you…happy.”
The word sounds strange applied to me, but I can’t deny it’s accurate. Despite the complications, despite the dangers, I am happy with Atlee in a way I’ve never been before.
Back inside, we find the women laughing over some shared joke. Atlee’s face is flushed with amusement, her eyes bright, and the sight of her like this, relaxed and unguarded, makes something tighten in my chest.
“Ready to head out?” I ask, coming to stand beside her chair.
She looks up at me, still smiling. “Whenever you are.”
We say our goodbyes, with promises to do this again soon. Aubree hugs Atlee, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh. Jesse gives her a more reserved farewell, but I can tell he’s warming to her.
In the truck, driving back to my cabin, Atlee leans her head against the window, looking tired but content. “That was nice,” she says softly. “Jesse and Aubree are cute together.”
“They liked you,” I tell her, reaching over to take her hand. “Not that I’m surprised.”
“What did you and Jesse talk about out there? Noah?”
She’s perceptive, this woman of mine. “Among other things,” I admit, not wanting to lie to her but not wanting to burden her with the full truth either. “Just being cautious.”
She nods, accepting this. “I get the feeling there’s a story there, but I won’t push. Just know that I’m here if you ever want to talk about it.”
“I know,” I say, squeezing her hand. “Thank you.”
When we reach the cabin, I drive around to the back instead of parking in my usual spot out front. Atlee gives me a questioning look, but I just smile.
“I have something to show you.”
As I turn off the engine, her eyes widen at the sight of two rocking chairs sitting side by side on the back porch, facing the mountains.
“When did you do this?” she asks, turning to me.
“Had Carson drop them off while we were at work,” I explain. “Thought it might be nice to have somewhere we could sit together to watch the sunset and enjoy the view.”
She stares at the chairs for a long moment, then back at me, her eyes suspiciously bright. “You did this for us? For…for the future?”
The question holds weight, with implications that should frighten me but somehow don’t. “Yeah,” I answer honestly. “I did. I hope we can have quiet nights together, taking in the views. For as long as you want.”
She reaches across the space between us, her hand finding my cheek. “I’d like that,” she whispers. “I’d like that very much.”
As I lean in to kiss her, I push away thoughts of Noah and cattle rustling and all the complications that threaten what we’re building. For now, I just want to be a man with a woman he cares about, sitting on the porch watching the stars come out. The rest can wait until tomorrow.
ELEVEN
ATLEE
The past twoweeks have gone off without a hitch while Devlin and I have settled into a routine. We get up and get dressed as a couple. Sometimes we have breakfast, and then we leave at the same time—me in the used SUV that Devlin bought for me last week, and him in his truck. He heads to the Grizzly River Ranch for the day, and I head into town.
Then, at the end of the day, we show up at about the same time. We cook dinner together, eat, and then spend some time out on the back porch before coming in to shower and then watching some TV.
I never knew that life could be this settled, this happy. I’ve never had this kind of contentment in my life, and I love it more than I’m willing to admit to anyone. I’m leaning over the counter at Murphy’s when I see Lennon walk in. “Hey,” I wave at her, moving out and running up to hug her.
