Page 91 of Second Chance with the Rancher

They both glanced at Fumble who was staring at them like a creepy voyeur peering through bedroom curtains.

“Fuck, he’s a weirdo,” Nate said with a chuckle.

“But he’s our weirdo.”

“That he is,” he said, letting go of her and jogging to the cab which was idling behind them. He leaned over to speak to the driver, then reached into his pocket, pulled out his credit card and a moment later he was wheeling her suitcase and lugging her purse and carry-on toward his truck while the cab did a U-turn and took off back toward Denver.

Opening up the rear door on his truck, he stowed her bags, then turned to face her. “Are we going home?”

“I think we are,” she said, smiling up at him with so much love in her heart. “But, can I ask for a few favors?”

“Sexual?” His brows bobbed.

“Well, no, but we can discuss those after.”

“Anything for you, Minx.”

“Could we open up a dance studio on the ranch? Is there room?”

“I’ll make room. So yes. That’s a great idea.”

Her grin grew even wider. “Could we also get pigs? And maybe some cows?”

“To eat?”

She shook her head. “No. To add to the petting farm. I love pigs, they’re so smart and so cute. Plus, you know how I love to name animals. I’ve already got some great names picked out. Siobhan Swinestein, Beverly Bacon, Hugh Hamhock, just to name a few. And I think a Miniature Scottish Highland cow or two would be a wonderful addition to the petting farm. They’re so cute and only weigh like seven hundred pounds.”

“Only seven hundred pounds.”

“Exactly, it’d be like adding a Yorkie to the mix, really. They wouldn’t take up any space.”

He snorted. “And I’m assuming you have cow names picked out, too?”

“Of course! Hillary Hefferson, Templeton Porterhouse and Jeremiah Wellington.”

“Why do all your pigs and cows have last names?”

“Because they’re that important. Can we get some?”

His laugh was warm and raspy as he swooped in, wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, spinning her around in a circle on the side of the road. “I’ll get you a million pigs, and a hundred cows, Minx, and you can name them all. Anything for you. I just want you to be happy.”

Looping her arms around his neck, she giggled. “A dance studio, pet pigs, Miniature Scottish Highland cows, and you. I don’t see how I can’t be happy.”

Then they climbed into his truck and headed home. Back to the ranch, to start their life together, and what a beautiful, busy and fulfilling life it promised to be.

Epilogue

One year later …

“Condom?” Mieka asked slightly breathless as she and Nate ran toward the barn, laughing like stoned—but NOT drunk—fools out of the tent that held the guests for their wedding reception.

“Got like twelve of them in my pocket, Minx. I learn from my mistakes.”

“Thank God.”

They were holding hands and she had her long dress in the other hand as the grass tickled their ankles and the sound of music faded behind them.

“Fuck, I can’t wait to be inside my wife,” he growled, stopping them midway to the barn and hauling her against him for a lip-bruising kiss that made her panties get wetter than they already were. “Good call on the two of us drinking lemonades instead of champagne.”

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