Page 44 of Home to the Cowboy

“I’m just going to have a shower.” Just the sound of his voice made her knees weak and she quickly sat down. “I won’t be long. Have you enjoyed the ranch?”

“I have, yes. It’s beautiful. I saw your friend Lucy again. You know, the one who told you to get married if you want babies.”

Dylan’s low chuckle woke up the butterflies. “She told me she knew you need two people to make babies.”

“And,” June hastened to change the subject. She hadn’t planned on telling Dylan she’d met Lucy again, let alone told him what she’d said. “Ellie also showed me the stables. I think I’ve lost my heart to Midnight.”

“He has that effect on all women,” Dylan laughed. “Keep a small piece of your heart for me, too, though, would you?”

As his velvety voice slid down her spine, she caught her breath. Not only a small piece but her whole heart belonged to him.

Impossible though it sounded, she’d gone and fallen in love with the cowboy.

“Dylan …”

“See you later!” his voice drowned out her voice and he ended the call.

Slowly she put her phone down. Around her everything went quiet. Putting her hand on her heart, she tried to inhale, but her body was way too small. Was this love? This deep connection to another human being, the strange feeling she’d had earlier that this place, this ranch was home, the constant longing to be with Dylan, to touch him, the pleasure to see him smile, to see him happy?

Then there was this craziness inside of her, the butterflies, her heart fluttering—things she’d never experienced before. Could it actually be something more than a fleeting moment of lust?

Sighing, she rubbed her temple. Maybe it was only because Dylan was a great kisser. Kissing had never been something she’d enjoyed before, but Dylan? He knew exactly how to turn her knees to jelly. Even now, sitting here in a strange house, just thinking about being close to him had her heart galloping away at an alarming rate.

Could it be love? Would she even know if it was?

Whatever it was, she had to forget about it. Dylan had been very clear. He didn’t want anything permanent, so she could never tell him about her feelings.

What was also becoming increasingly clear was that she couldn’t stay here. Seeing Dylan, sharing a bed with him, making love to him, would eventually break her heart.

*

When Dylan and Daisy arrived at Becket’s place, he found Ellie alone in the kitchen. Daisy was immediately sniffed and welcomed by Becket’s and Ellie’s three dogs and their cat. Putting the six-pack of beer he’d brought along on the table, Dylan gave Ellie a quick hug. “Thanks for inviting me.”

“Of course,” Ellie smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here. I have an idea Becket and June should be finished talking about work by now. Hopefully the steaks are also nearly done. Why don’t you get a beer and join them outside? I’ll be with you shortly.”

“Thanks, Ellie.”

Becket and June were still talking when he stepped out on to the back porch.

“Hi, coz,” Becket welcomed him. “We’ve just finished discussing the new project, I’m very excited. And”—he picked up a plate of steaks—“these are also ready. Let me take this inside, we’ll see you there.”

Dylan nodded, his eyes on June. “Hey, you.” He pulled her closer.

Smiling she moved into his arms as he bent down for a kiss. She smelled like flowers, like a cozy room, like home.

Lifting his head, his eyes took in everything about her. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Turning away, she pointed toward the mountains. “Those take my breath away. This ranch … you’re all so lucky to live here and wake up to this view every day.”

Putting his arms around her from behind, he hugged her close. “I’ll be forever grateful to Hayden for reaching out with the idea that we unite two ranches back again, as it used to be. With the added bonus of the ranch Hunter bought, it makes so much more sense.”

For a few moments they stood quietly, drinking in the scenery.

“You know,” he said after a while, “I have to admit, I’m so used to living on a ranch, I don’t always notice the beauty, but seeing it through your eyes …” He hugged her tightly.

“You guys still don’t know what the fight your dad had with his brother was about?” she asked.

“No, we don’t. I don’t even know if it matters any more. I was hoping if we knew, we’d understand better why my dad and mom acted the way they did.”