Page 65 of Firefly Embers

Seeing as I was fully grown and couldn’t reach the stirrups without help, I generally used the mounting block or, in a pinch, Wade’s knee as a jumping off point; unless I was trying to show off, in which case, I often paid for it with screaming muscles for the following week.

I hitched Sunset to the wooden post in front of the block before stepping up the weathered steps, throwing my leg over the saddle, and settling myself on her back.

Sunset stood regally, waiting for instruction, a picture of the perfect beginner horse. I was thankful she allowed me to ride her each time I came to the ranch, and I made sure to bring along treats as a reward.

Clicking my tongue, I grabbed the reins loosely in my hand and urged her forward. She trotted past where Izzy and Sterling were still entangled in their heated debate. I made out “stupid fucker” and “stubborn cowgirl” before I was out of earshot.

Passing the hustle and bustle of the ranch, I made my way over to the trails, urging Sunset into a slow trot across the rocky terrain. She traipsed through the woods with ease, stepping over fallen branches and large rocks without a second glance.

I let the steady rhythm of her gait lull me into a serene calm, leaning into the movement and sound of her gentle clomps across the damp earth. Everything felt sticky and humid, but I let the warmth cast over my body, easing the tension of excitement coursing through my muscles.

Taking a trail ride was my form of therapy. I didn’t need to sit in an office and pour out my emotions; I was very self-aware of the things that made me tick. But sitting atop Sunset, walking slowly through the quiet serenity that the lush forest provided, everything felt right.

The trails snaked through the vast acreage surrounding the ranch, and I took my time, enjoying the easy cadence as we worked our way back toward the stables. Sunset needed no guidance; she knew the way around these trails with her eyes closed, and I trusted her implicitly to make sure I got back unscathed.

As we left the coverage that the treelined trails provided, harsh sunlight blinded me, forcing me to pull down the brim of my hat to shield my eyes.

I kept my head down as we made our way back to the main barn, but just as we rounded the corner heading for the mounting block, a familiar voice called out—stopping my heart in its steady beat.

“You ridin’ without me, Sunshine?”

I would have known the voice anywhere, and the sound of it had tears welling in my eyes as I urged Sunset faster to the mounting block.

Finally lifting my eyes, my breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight of Wade and Joker waiting for me. A wide grin was plastered on his face as he gingerly shifted his weight to one side and used the saddle horn to dismount his horse. Joker whinnied in excitement, happy to have his rider back.

Before Sunset even had a chance to come to a complete stop at the mounting block, I was throwing myself off her back and wrapping the reins around the hitching post.

Willing my body to move faster, I used every ounce of pent-up joy to propel myself forward, eager to see my man.

Striding up to meet him, toe-to-toe, I looked ‌my fill. He was still the tall, muscular, ruggedly handsome cowboy I’d fallen in love with—but different.

Instead of the hollow shell of a man who’d left this ranch in search of healing standing before me, I saw a strong and sure-of-himself vision in fitted Wranglers.

He had cropped his hair shorter on the sides, leaving the top long enough for it to be effortlessly sexy. I met his eyes, and seeing the light back in them nearly had me sobbing. He was back in more ways than one.

“Well, Sunshine. You gonna stand there looking at me like you wanna kiss me, or you wanna bring those pretty lips a little closer so I can fulfill the fantasies that kept me sane while I was gone?”

“You can ride,” I stuttered, my brain not having quite caught up to the reality of the situation. “What…how… when?”

He took a step closer, caressing my cheek, wiping away the tears that had spilled over. “Yeah, baby. I can ride. I’ll explain everything later, but right now I really need to kiss my girl.”

Nearly throwing myself at him, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my lips firmly to his. He wrapped his arms around my waist, tugging me tightly to him as he met my passion with the same fervent desire.

Our tongues tangled in a soft caress as our hands roamed, reminding ourselves that this was real, and we were together.

A throat clearing from beside us broke our heated embrace, and I could feel Wade’s groan on my neck as he dipped his head to rest between my shoulder and chin.

“So, that’s a new development,” Max said, standing dumbfounded at the corner of the barn.

I chuckled lightly, pushing Wade off my neck and turning toward Max, reaching down to take my cowboy’s hand. I squeezed three times and watched as a slow smile crept up at the corners of his mouth.

Damn, it felt good to see him smile.

“Not really; we’ve been in love with each other for years. Y’all are just slow to catch on,” I teased.

Max’s mouth opened and closed like a fish as Wade let out a hearty chuckle.

“We? Us? What the fuck is happening?” Max asked, looking between the two of us.