“Never figured I’d find myself at a play in Fort Worth,” Brenda mused aloud as the wagon rolled through the streets.
“Life’s full of surprises,” Seth replied, glancing over at her with an easy grin.
“Reckon it is,” she agreed. “When you’re not busy surprising me with plays and dinners, what do you dream about, Seth?”
“Me?” Seth chuckled, the sound rich and comforting. “I dream of making the ranch into something my pa would’ve been proud of. And lately,” he paused, “lately, I’ve been dreaming of days like this. With you.”
Brenda felt warmth spread through her chest, a soft blush blooming on her cheeks. “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?”
“Only speaking truth, Brenda. What about you? What dreams keep you company?”
She gazed out at the darkening horizon, contemplating. “A place to call my own,” she said. “A family, maybe. Not blood, necessarily. But folks who care whether you come home at night.”
“Like a community,” Seth said, nodding.
“Exactly,” Brenda agreed. “And laughter. Lots of it. Life’s too short for anything less. And children. I don’t want a dozen like Amy does, but three or four would make me very happy.”
“Thank you for tonight, Seth,” Brenda said as they approached the restaurant, its windows glowing warmly.
“Thank you for saying yes,” he replied, helping her down from the wagon with a tender touch that lingered.
*****
“COZY?” SETH ASKED,a half-smirk playing on his lips.
“Very,” she replied, the corners of her mouth tilting upward. “You’re not too bad as a pillow.”
“Tomorrow’s Saturday,” Seth said after a pause. “Thought I might take a day away from the ranch work.”
“Really?” Brenda lifted her head to look at him. “You know if you take a day off work, you have to actually not work, right?” It was hard to think of Seth taking a day off, but it sounded wonderful to her.
“Yep,” he confirmed, grinning. “Figured we could explore a bit. See the land beyond the pastures.”
“Sounds...nice.” It was more than nice. It was unexpected and thrilling, but she tucked that thought away, her sassiness simmering down to a gentle smile.
“That’s the plan then.”
*****
BRENDA WATCHED FROMthe porch as Seth led two horses toward her, their hooves kicking up small clouds of dust.
“Ready for our day off?” he called out, extending his hand to help her mount.
“Born ready,” Brenda said, accepting his assistance with a playful swat at his arm.
They rode side by side. “Look at that view,” Brenda said, reining her horse to a stop atop a hill. “It would be so much more beautiful in the spring when everything is green, but even with the world all brown, it’s beautiful!”
“Beats looking at cattle all day,” Seth agreed, his gaze not on the horizon but on her profile.
“Doesn’t everything?” she teased, meeting his eyes with a glint of mischief.
“Almost,” he said.
Together, they descended the hill. Their horses seemed to catch onto their light-heartedness, tails swishing merrily as they trotted across the open fields.
“Ever think about what it’d be like to just ride off, see where the land takes you?” Brenda asked.
“Sometimes,” Seth admitted. “But I think I’ve found something worth staying put for.”
