Page 116 of Roping Her In

He took a tiny step closer to her. “I’ve lost a lot, but I’ve also learned a lot to be where I am. But this isn’t where I need to be anymore.” He took another step and reached out. She did the same, and their fingertips brushed.

“I need to be where you are,” he said. “Because you’re my sanctuary.” His smile renewed itself. “So it doesn’t matter if it’s here on the ranch, or a brick house in town, or a farmhouse with a cheery yellow door. We belong together, and I’m taking the first step to make that happen.”

Tears filled Hailey’s eyes, and she half-laughed and half-sobbed. “I think I’m the one hallucinating now.”

He’d just said everything she wanted to hear, and she could scarcely believe it.

“I’m so sorry.” He slipped one hand along her jaw to the back of her head and pulled her into his chest for a hug. “You are a brilliant woman,” he whispered, his voice throaty and filled with emotion. “I’ve always known that, but I’ve learned in the past few weeks how kind you are, and how patient, and I hate that I’ve caused any pain for you at all.”

He still hadn’t kissed her, but he did now as his lips barely skimmed her neck right below her ear. She shivered and pressed into his touch.

“So please, please forgive me and tell me that I haven’t broken us too badly.”

“You haven’t,” Hailey whispered, her blood vibrating through her veins.

He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. “Building a life together takes work, and it’s work I only want to do with you.”

Hailey held him as tightly as she could, her arms up and around his shoulders. “Me too, Jake.”

He touched the tip of his nose to hers. “I love you, Hailey.”

Her eyes drifted closed, and sunshine and sparkles filled the whole cabin. “I love you too.”

She sensed and felt Jake moving for a whisper of time before his lips touched hers. The familiar fire that had always raged between them burst into a hotter flame.

She kissed him back, because she’d never told a man that she loved him before. She’d never felt this wondrous, magical, sparkling feeling coursing through her body and soul.

Jake pulled away, and Hailey drew in a deep breath. “I’m sure you want to know what’s next.”

But Hailey shook her head. She took another moment to enjoy the golden glow streaming through her before she lazily opened her eyes. She gazed up at this beautiful man who loved her. “Actually, I don’t need to know,” she said. “I intercepted your parents’ plans in the hopes that you’d let me drive out here every day to see you.”

She grinned at him. “So this is so much better.”

Jake chuckled and shook his head. “That’s not necessary, sweetheart, though I don’t know when I’ll be done here at the ranch.”

“But you quit?” Hailey asked, still not quite sure she believed him.

He nodded, his entire countenance lit from within. “On Thursday. I was going to tell you at the speakeasy, then I got this blasted cold.” He looked over to the food as Hailey actually felt his stomach rumble against hers. “I was so mad when my momma didn’t bring lunch.”

Hailey laughed and moved to start dishing up the biscuited chicken pot pie. “I told her she could bring dessert.”

“She did, and Carson came too,” Jake said. “We had a real nice conversation.”

Hailey looked at him. “I can’t wait to hear all about it—and what you’re planning to do after you’re done here at the ranch.”

A sigh slipped from his mouth then, but he still seemed the happiest she’d ever seen him.

“Yeah, we’ve got a lot to talk about.” He joined her in the kitchen. “But first, I simply plan to kiss you again.”

Hailey giggled as she set down the serving spoon and turned into his body, because she had no problem with that plan.

43

The Fourth of July had come and gone, and Jake had worked with Libby to hire a new veterinarian. Kami Hastings would be starting at the ranch on Monday, and Jake had committed to working with her for two weeks before he cleaned out his cabin and turned it over to her.

Three Rivers Ranch always had a big birthday party for Finn at the end of July, but this year, Jake’s last day as the veterinarian would be only five before that.

He’d told Libby he didn’t need a big party; he hadn’t worked the ranch for over thirty years the way his Daddy had. But she’d insisted they fold his farewell party into Finn’s birthday celebration. She’d asked her brother, who, of course had said yes. But Jake couldn’t help feeling a little bit guilty about it.