Page 66 of Seeking Her Studs

I step out of the car without thinking twice.

Patricia protests behind me, but I don’t listen.

I weave through the cars with Lacey. The paparazzi swarm me and shout their questions in my direction as my bodyguards fend them off. Some are being nice and some are being purposely inflammatory to try to get a rise out of me. None of it makes a difference to me and I walk with singular focus through it all.

Just as I’m reaching the crowd, they start to part.

My heart swells at the sight. Cameras click madly around me, and for the first time, I can understand why someone would want to capture this moment.

Colt, Reese, and Briggs ride in on their horses in perfect coordination. They emit grace and power as everyone makes room for them. I completely stop breathing.

They scan the crowd, and Briggs is the first one to see me. He nods and smiles reassuringly. Even though I have no idea what they’re up to, in this moment I let hope bloom in me for the first time since I left them.

“Here’s how this is going to go,” Colt shouts loudly and everyone else quiets. “Every one of you in front of us, besides Blaire Evans, is going to get the hell out of Solace Springs. You will be let out one by one and the sheriff is going to delete your photos and fine each and every one of you.”

Protests break out from around me. Colt lifts up his hand to signal he’s not done, and to my surprise, they listen.

“You’ve broken the law. Every single piece of land beyond that town sign is privately owned and you’re trespassing.”

I gasp at what he’s saying. Murmurs start around me.

“You’re being let off with only a fine today if you cooperate, but it will be jail time if you don’t.” Reese speaks now. “And if you think you will slip into this town unnoticed and try again, just look around. All of Solace Springs is united in this.” He takes a breath, considering. “And you all should be ashamed of yourselves. Blaire Evans is not a product for you to sell. She’s a real person with a wicked sense of humor, more strength and bravado in one pinky toe than the rest of us can hope to have in a lifetime, and a good, true heart. And if Blaire Evans can only count on one town in this entire world to be good to her, then it will be us.”

Cheers erupt from both sides of the brothers.

I laugh, tears streaming down my face.

Colt tips his hat to me and then extends his hand. “You ready to come home, princess?”

I kiss Lacey on the cheek and tell my bodyguards that I won’t be needing them anymore. Then I look at my guys and start running towards them like I’ve wanted to do since the moment I left them.

“Blaire!” Patricia’s shrill voice sounds behind me. “Our plane leaves in one hour.”

Colt grabs my hand and helps me mount in front of him.

“You know what?” I shout back at her as I settle myself in front of Colt’s lap. “I think I’ll stay in Solace Springs. It’s full of fine people who really know how to handle things.”

I throw her criticism of the town back in her face.

She shakes her head, not admitting defeat.

“And if the paparazzi really want to report on something, they can report on how you helped my mom steal millions of dollars from me. I didn’t put it together until she showed up here recently and reported immediately back to you. I was wondering how you could afford all that new jewelry. So thanks for that closure.” I smile as Colt turns the horse around. “Oh, and you’re fired!” I shout over my shoulder.

Colt wraps his arm around my waist. “We love you, Blaire. Don’t you ever try to sacrifice yourself for our happiness again. You are our happiness, princess.”

I lean my head back on his chest. I just got rescued on a horse by three men who call me princess as we ride off into the sunset. I’ve starred in many fairytales, but this one is by far my favorite.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Blaire

“We thought about bringing Daisy for you to ride back,” Reese says as he swirls his finger on the inside of my naked thigh in bed. “But we realized it would make a bit of a less dramatic exit if we rode off while Daisy had to inch slowly away with you riding her.”

I laugh and stretch out long on Colt’s bed. We’re all naked, enjoying our last few hours alone before Kaylee gets home. In fact, all we’ve been doing is enjoying each other since we got back to the ranch. Last night feels like a brief nightmare in the long, beautiful dream of our lives together.

“Hello, I’m home!” Kaylee’s voice echoes off the high ceilings and up into Colt’s bedroom.

We all jump out of bed at the same time and look at each other wide-eyed. She’s home earlier than she said she’d be. We didn’t have time to rehearse our talk with her one last time like we planned.

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