Page 242 of Ironwood Ranch Cowboys

The entire inside of the main event barn glows gold with hanging lights and lanterns strung through the rafters.

Music drifts softly through the warm air. Long wooden tables stretch across the room covered in food and flowers and candles.

And people.

So many people.

The whole town, apparently.

Sheriff Miller lifts a beer toward me from near the back wall. Sherry waves excitedly beside the dessert table. Ranch hands crowd near the heaters laughing loudly while Abilene aggressively rearranges centerpieces.

For one stunned second, I just stand there in the doorway while snow melts into my hair.

Then everybody yells: “Surprise!”

I nearly drop my camera.

“Oh, wow,” I whisper.

Duke looks unbearably pleased with himself. “Nailed it.”

I turn slowly toward the brothers. “You did all this?”

Silas steps closer first. “You thought we were going to let your birthday pass unnoticed?”

“In fairness,” Cody says carefully, “you did attempt to work through it.”

“That’s because year-end tax preparation waits for no woman.”

Duke wraps an arm around my waist. “Baby, if you say the phrase ‘quarterly projections’ one more time tonight, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Threatening me isn’t ethical.”

Cody chokes on his drink.

Silas closes his eyes briefly like he’s reconsidering every life choice that led here.

Duke, however, looks delighted. “That’s my girl.”

Warmth spreads through me so fast it almost hurts. Because this… nobody’s ever done this for me before.

I look around the barn again. At the lights, the music, the people smiling when they see me.

Ironwood.

Not admitting me anymore. Welcoming me.

Emotion rises suddenly enough to catch me off guard. Duke notices first, because of course he does.

“Hey,” he says softly.

I laugh once shakily. “I’m fine.”

“Mm. Your face disagrees.”

Cody steps closer too, fingers brushing lightly against the back of my hand. “Overwhelmed?”

“Maybe slightly compromised.”