The screen flickers to life, and suddenly I'm looking at the Blackwell Ranch logo. My chest tightens as Gabriel takes his place beside the screen, every inch the commanding officer even in civilian clothes.
"We understand if you never want to hear from us again," he says, his voice carrying that careful control I know means he's holding back everything he really wants to say. "We got the hint when Diana told us to politely fuck off."
"That wasn't—" I start, but Beau raises a hand, gentle butfirm.
"Let us say our piece, darlin'. We've come a long way to get this right."
Darlin'.The endearment hits me like a physical blow, and I have to grip the edge of the table to keep from falling apart right here in front of them.
"You asked us once," Beau continues, his drawl wrapping around each word like honey and whiskey, "whether we loved Lucy or Lucinda. We're here to present our case."
The screen changes, and suddenly I'm looking at a picture of Briarhaven's main street, all wooden storefronts and mountain backdrop, and the homesickness hits me so hard I actually gasp.
"Proposal," Gabriel reads from the screen, his voice steady and professional. "A comprehensive business plan for the acquisition and retention of one Lucinda Kensington-Reid, also known as Lucy Reid, also known as the woman who owns our hearts."
Oh my God.They're actually doing this. They're actually presenting a business case for loving me, and it's ridiculous and perfect and I'm about to cry all over my designer blazer.
The presentation continues, slide after slide of Montana landscapes and memories. There's the creek where I parked my van that first day. Colt’s veterinary clinic, with Tyson seating proudly at the entrance door. The sheriff's station where Gabriel looked at me like I was trouble he wanted to handle personally. Beau's ranch house, windows glowing warm against the twilight.
They take turns speaking, their voices weaving together like a song I'd forgotten I knew.
"Exhibit A," Colt says, pointing to a picture of cattle being herded by Dusty. "Subject has demonstrated exceptional compatibility with Montana wildlife and livestock. Especially stubborn, wounded strays who need someone to believe in them again."
Another image and my throat burns.Darcy.They're showing me Darcy, healthy and whole and playing in a field I recognize as Beau's.
"Exhibit B," Beau's turn now, and the screen shows people. Doc Harrison, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Cross, Emma, all seating at the diner with laughing faces. Faces I remember with fondness. "Subject has shown remarkable ability to integrate with the local community despite initial resistance and natural suspicion of authority figures."
"Hey," I protest weakly, but Gabriel's already moving to the next slide.
"Exhibit C," he says, and this time it's a picture of the three of them together, standing in front of what looks like a construction site. "Applicants have taken significant steps toward long-term sustainability and shared living arrangements."
The next slide makes my heart stop.
It's a house. A beautiful, sprawling ranch home with wraparound porches and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out over a familiar creek. The same spot where Iparked my van that first day, where I sat by the water and wondered if I'd finally found something worth staying for.
"That's—" I can barely get the words out. "I don't remember a house there."
"That's because we built it," Colt says simply. "In the last two months. While you were gone."
"You built me a house?"
"We builtusa house," Beau corrects, his voice soft but firm. "Figure you shouldn't have to choose which place to call home anymore. Because make no mistake, sunshine, we're all gonna build a life together. We decided to build it where it all began."
I'm crying now, actual tears sliding down my cheeks, and I don't even care that I'm probably ruining my makeup.
They builtusa house.
In two months. While I was hiding behind lawyers and board meetings and pretending I didn't miss them every single second of every single day.
But I can't just give in that easily. I've spent too long protecting my heart to surrender without one last test.
"What if—" I have to clear my throat, force the words past the emotion clogging my voice. "What if I want to stay in New York?"
The three of them exchange a look, and then Gabriel's moving to the next slide. This one shows a map, with lines connecting Montana to New York.
"Already thought of that," Gabriel says. "Got a friend who runs private security here in the city. Says he can always use someone with my particular skill set."
"Animals are animals," Colt adds with a shrug that doesn't fool me for a second. "City vets, country vets, sick is sick, hurt is hurt. Figure I can help anything with four legs, no matter what zip code it's in."
