“Or hurting you.” He touched the back of her hand with a single finger. It was light, but enough for her to notice the endearing gesture. “It took Nana knocking some sense into me, but I can see how going on this trip with Hector could impact you. Impact our future together.”
“Listen, Lance. It’s not that I think you should give up everything you’ve ever loved. I would never want that for you. What concerns me is the idea of you being reckless or feeling the need to prove something. I know you so well, and if you decide to move forward with Hector, I know you’d give it your all. And what if somethingdidhappen while you were away? What if you reinjured your knee beyond repair?” Her chin began to tremble, her voice breaking with emotion. “The thought of beingallthe way over here, helpless and unable to be there for you, would devastate me. If this is something you feel compelled to do, at least bring me with you.”
“Sarah.” His hand had hovered right over hers, but with those final words, it dropped onto it, engulfing her fingers with his own. “I’m not going to make you go all the way across theworld with me. You’ve got your job here at the library. You’ve got Laney.”
“So that’s it, then?” She couldn’t believe she was saying this. Couldn’t believe she was about to put this out there. “We’re done?”
His eyes rounded and his jaw set. “No. We’re not done,” he said definitively. “I am.”
“I don’t—”
“I’m done pretending that my worth is tied to keeping up with the man I used to be. I’m done thinking I have to prove myself physically to everyone—tomyself—in order to feel useful. Nana made me seriously consider what my life might look like with and without you and Laney in it—and the thought of a reality without you is something I never want to face, Sarah. Ever.”
It wasn’t a future she wanted either, one without Lance by her side. “You had me so scared there,” she admitted, giving his hand a firm squeeze. “I don’t want to lose you, Lance. Not again.”
“You won’t,” he said confidently. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Nana Jo’s selling the ranch,” Sarah said, suddenly realizing Lance hadn’t brought it up yet. While they were on the topic of difficult things, it felt important to address.
“I know.” His thumb rubbed a small circle across the back of her hand. “But I have a plan.”
“She’s got someone coming over any minute to discuss numbers, Lance. She’s moving forward with this.”
His grin felt out of place but oddly comforting still. “It’s going to be okay, Sarah.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because us Majors are strong. We don’t let challenges break us. We adapt. We overcome.”
She knew those truths. But she also couldn’t see how Lance could come up with the money to save the ranch or understandhow they could get past the looming challenges. Sometimes, all the strength and resilience in the world still wasn’t enough.
“I’ll walk with you to your car to get those things for Nana,” he said, rising from the couch with an extended hand. She let him help her from the sofa. “And tonight, I’d like to cook for you and Laney, if you don’t already have plans.”
She didn’t. To be honest, she hadn’t really thought past the final minutes of the retreat, hadn’t planned anything after the authors’ departures. Dinner was the last thing on her mind.
“We would love that,” she said, appreciative of the man that was learning to take care of her needs so quickly, he astounded her.
Lance swung open the front door, catching Sarah by surprise as it nearly collided with a person standing on the other side. A broad man in a red and black plaid flannel shuffled back a few steps to avoid the impending impact, but he wore no trace of annoyance, despite nearly getting knocked off his feet. Instead, a wide, beaming smile lit up his strangely familiar features.
“Cousin!” The guy stroked his neatly trimmed beard before lunging at Lance, pulling him into a bear hug that resembled a friendly headlock.
“Spencer,” Lance managed to say within the tight embrace.
“Sorry I’m late. Plane was held up on the runway.”
“You’re actually right on time, buddy,” Lance said, a hint of relief in his voice. “Right on time.”
EPILOGUE
The next group should be there in five. Look for Brady. He’ll be leading the pack.
Lance fired off the text to his cousin and clicked send.
Perfect timing. The horses are saddled and ready to ride!
It had only been one month since Snowdrift Stables became an official partner with Major Hart Mountain Sports, but everything had fallen into place. Adding horseback rides to their roster of winter activities hadn’t crossed Lance’s mind before but thinking outside the box had become his new motto.
The more excursions they could provide, the better. Especially considering Hector had recently decided Snowdrift Summit was the perfect backdrop for his next travel book, with Holden, Lance, and Brady all working together as experts in the field. He wanted adventure activities, and they had plenty for him to choose from. Plus, it just made sense to include trail rides, considering most of their clients now booked rooms at Nana Jo’s ranch. It was serendipitous that the farmhouse was a short snowmobile ride from their shop, too. It made shuttling customers back and forth a breeze.
