Page 119 of Buck ’Em Cowgirl

“And if things don’t go the way you’re planning?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Impossible. It’s her. She’s it for me.”

Dad pushed off the ground, dusting his jeans as he stood, and my gaze drifted back to Mom’s name etched in stone one more time.

This was the moment I’d needed for so long. Talking to Dad, breaking through the years of unspoken words and misunderstandings. We couldn’t rewrite the past, but we’d started something new. A chapter built on understanding.

I leaned forward, my fingers grazing the edge of the headstone as if the distance between us could somehow feel smaller.

“I love her,” I whispered.

43

Fable

I hadn’t seen Beau all day. I’d gone to work, and he’d usually come by once he was done with his workout or practices, but it was already five and I’d seen nothing of him. I even double-checked my phone to confirm.

We were both leaving for Dallas in a couple days, which was easy because it meant no plane traveling was required, but because Beau was sitting at the top of the standings, he’d been putting in extra hours to maintain his spot.

“Wanna grab a beer?” Harleigh asked, but I shook my head.

I walked over, giving her a quick hug. “Sorry I’ve been such a crappy friend lately. I feel like I’ve been bailing on you so much.”

Harleigh pulled back, her black hair swinging behind her shoulders. “Absolutely not. Don’t apologize. I love seeing you happy.”

I sighed, squeezing her tighter. “I haven’t seen him all day, so I think I’ll stop by to check in.”

“It’s nice to see you happy, Fabs. I hope you know that.”

I did recognize it.

I recognized it when I didn’t count “Happy Birthday” in my head while washing my hands. I recognized it when I sat on the paddock fence without caring that it was covered in dirt. I didn’t mind that Beau was always dirty from the ranch or riding bulls. It was freeing.

Beau didn’t fix me, and all my fears weren’t magically erased just by being with him. It was something more profound than that—something about being seen, wanted, and wrapped in warmth when I needed it most.

Loneliness was a hard feeling to shake. In Chicago, I had no family. My friendship with Harleigh had begun to bloom, but because of Mike, I hadn’t been able to nurture it the way I wanted. I’d been in a relationship, yet somehow, I’d never felt more alone. Being with Mike was like standing beside someone who couldn’t see me—someone who made me feel invisible even when I was right there.

With Beau, loneliness didn’t weigh me down the same way. His presence didn’t erase my anxiety, but it softened the edges. Being wanted, cared for, and loved—it made all the difference.

I grabbed my things after Harleigh left and made my way out of the barn. The sun was starting to dip lower, casting long shadows over the fields, and the evening breeze rustled through the grass.

Past the barn, the practice arena stood with a few bulls still grazing nearby, their low grunts and the clink of fencing the only sounds breaking the silence. The only person I saw was Dalton, his blonde hair catching the last rays of sunlight as he adjusted the latch on a chute.

“Hey, Dalt.”

My pulse kicked up a notch, my palms damp against the strap of my bag.

Be cool. Don’t panic.

Dalton glanced over his shoulder, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Have, uh, Do—” My throat closed, and I swallowed hard. “Do you know where Beau is?”

A brick sat on my chest—a feeling I couldn’t quite shake off.

Nothing happened to him. He’s fine.

If something had happened, Dalton would tell me.