“You probably think I’m stubborn, but I don’t want your money,” Riley said, rising slowly. “I only wanted you.”
Garrett leaned down, grabbing his rope. He looped it around her and stepped inside the circle.
“What are you doing?” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I’m wrangling you to me,” he admitted. “Neither one of us can leave this circle of trust. It’s you and me, Riley.”
“No anger, only truth, patience, and love,” Riley whispered.
“Yes. I love you. You and Tara make my life,” he said, holding her hands in his and staring deeply into her blue eyes. “If you truly want to go to Corpus Christi, I’ll quit this place and follow you.”
“But it’s not what you want, is it?” Riley asked. “Here’s my first truth… I love you. Not being with you broke me. Tara will always be part of my life so I’m glad you love her too. I don’t want you to give up what you want. I want us to build a life together.”
“I have a proposal,” Garrett pulled her up on her tiptoes.
“I’m all ears.” She smiled.
“What do you think if we bought a piece of land close to here? You can have a barn full of goats. Tara can go to public school. We keep our jobs here at Haven Ranch because we both love them. If we have a problem, we step inside this circle and trust we’ll work it out.”
Riley’s eyes filled with tears. “Can we take Storm and Brutus with us?”
“Since I bought her for you, we can do whatever we want,” he said, chuckling.
Riley rolled her eyes and unbuttoned his shirt, tracing letters on the left side of his chest.
“What are you doing?” he said, glancing down at her invisible writing.
“I’m writing an IOU on your heart. It might take me a lifetime to pay you back. Do you mind if I stay and work it off?”
Garrett kissed her. “I’m counting on it.”
EPILOGUE
Three months later
Jameson helped carry the new sofa inside the farmhouse. “Hey, Bro, tell me again why you have all this money, and we’re carrying in this furniture.”
“It’s good for us,” Garrett said as he sat his end down. “It builds character.”
“Maybe for you,” Jameson grunted as he set down his end. “Did you get it?”
Garrett took out the engagement ring set and showed it to his buddy. “It’s stunning and fits her,” he said, smiling. “I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks, bro,” Garrett made a point of appreciating his friend.
“I hope someday to find this kind of happiness,” Jameson sat on the couch with his hands on his knees and his face hanging low.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find Caroline,” Garrett promised.
“The longer she’s out there, the less likely we’ll find her,”Jameson stated the facts. “It’s killing me. Tonight’s about you. When will you ask her?”
“I don’t know. She’s out in the field with Jay, teaching him how to wrangle cattle. She’s determined not to give up on him. I think he needs a job with the goats,” Garrett chuckled. “Did Tara’s horse arrive?”
“He’s in the barn,” Jameson informed him as they walked out of the house. “This is the last of it. I’ll pick Tara up from the bus stop while you shower. We’ll see you tonight.” He got into his truck and drove down the driveway.
Garrett watched Jameson go, feeling guilty about the joy he felt while his friend suffered. He glanced around at the farmhouse with two barns. This was all he and Riley needed for their new lives. The delivery men installed the walk-in fridge a few hours ago, and he couldn’t wait to show her.
Walking to the barn, he checked out Tara’s new horse, Riley’s only request. She needed one to ride with her best friend. He filled the feed bin and shut the door. A rope went over his head and wrapped around his body. He glanced up, seeing Riley, and smiled as she pulled him closer, wrangling him.
