Page 46 of Cowboy's Healing Heart

"That was incredible," Krystal whispers, her voice hoarse.

I can't speak, so I simply nod, pulling her close. We lay under the stars, our bodies entwined, hearts still racing.

I reach for the blanket, and we lay back. I stare at the stars, our breathing slowly returning to normal. I trace lazy patterns on Krystal's skin, marveling at how soft she is.

The night sky stretches above us, a vast expanse of twinkling stars.

It's breathtaking.

I've seen clear nights before, but something about this moment feels different.

"It's beautiful," I murmur, more to myself than to Krystal.

She shifts in my arms, looking up at me. "You sound surprised."

I shrug, careful not to dislodge her. "I guess I am. It makes you feel small, doesn't it? Like all our problems are just... tiny specks in the grand scheme of things."

Krystal hums in agreement, her breath warm against my chest. I look down at her, struck by the contrast. The universe may be vast and unknowable, but the woman in my arms feels real.

Tangible.

Important.

"What do you want, Krystal?" The question slips out before I can stop it.

She tenses, pulling back to look at me. I see the walls going up in her eyes, that instinctive need to protect herself. But I'm not ready to let her retreat.

"Hey," I say softly, cupping her cheek. "What if this is a world of infinite possibilities? What could this universe grant you to keep a smile on your face?"

What could I give to keep you? The words rush forward, and I'm forced to dismantle them. The agreement is to keep this purely physical. But I can't imagine a day where I'd ever have enough of her.

I'd give almost anything for the possibility of having more moments like this.

More moments where I'm exactly who I am right now. And that's the only expectation.

Krystal bites her lip, uncertainty written across her features. I wait, giving her the space to decide. After a long moment, she nestles closer, her gaze fixed on the stars above.

"If I could have anything?" Her voice is barely above a whisper.

"Yeah," I encourage. "The world is yours."

She's quiet for so long that I think she might not answer. Then, softly, "A horse ranch."

I blink, surprised. I search my catalog of Krystal memories, searching for a mention of horses, and find none.

"A horse ranch?"

Krystal nods, her words coming faster now. "Not just any ranch. A place where I could breed and train horses. But also... a workshop. Where I could fix things, create things."

"Tell me more," I urge, genuinely intrigued.

She launches into a detailed description, her passion evident in every word. A sprawling property with rolling pastures for the horses. A state-of-the-art barn with individual stalls. A separate building for her workshop, filled with tools and machinery.

"And there'd be a house," she adds, her voice softening. "Nothing fancy. Just a place where Ashanti could have her own room and decorate it however she wants. Where we can create memories and call home."

I listen, asking questions and encouraging her to elaborate. With each detail, I can see her more clearly.

"It sounds perfect," I say when she finally falls silent.

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