Page 56 of Tough Love

The look on her face is pure cheek. Her hand rests over her heart like a shocked Beverly Hills housewife. “Oh my god, Adds. I can’t believe you got back on a horse!”

I smack her arm. “Yeah, that’s the most important part, Rubes.”

She loses it. After a bout of stomach-clutching laughter, she recovers and grabs my shoulders, leaning in. “I cannot wait to meet him, Adds.”

The love and excitement in her eyes send a prickle to the bridge of my nose and my heart into a frenzy, promptly flipping my stomach.

Ruby’s head swings from side to side like a kid in a toy store who has never seen one before. The Montana countryside is breathtaking. And I was just as captivated on my first drive out to Rosewood Ranch. Her brown eyes are saucers, taking in the mountains, the fields, the horses, and homestead as we pass.

“You’re going to hurt your neck, babe.”

“I can’t believe how amazing this place is.”

“You have no idea. Wait ’til you see the ranch. Some of the places Hudson has taken me. So stunning.”

“How have you been living here and not sent me pics? Rude, Adds. Just rude.”

I turn off the road and we roll underneath the Rosewood Ranch sign. Ruby is like a kid in a candy shop. It’s adorable. When we finally pull up beside the white homestead gate, I hop out and open her door. Hanging around Huddy for weeks has his thoughtful ways rubbing off on me. Ruby steps out.Her capri-length jeans and boat-necked, ribbed white-and-navy striped shirt are vastly out of place. But she is beaming. And she grabs my arm with a gasp when Hudson trots over to the car on Rocket, bringing with him a saddled-up Sergeant.

“Oh wow, you must be Hudson!” Ruby grins, waving a hand.

He tips his hat, giving me a happy but somewhat confused glance.

“Hudson Rawlins, this is Ruby Robbins, my best friend.”

“Hey, Ruby, it’s a pleasure to meet you. This is Rocket, and this here is Addy’s current loaner, Sergeant.”

“Hello boys,” Ruby gushes.

“Why is he all saddled up and looking like he is about to head some place wide and open?”

“’Cause he is, Howard. Sorry, Ruby, I didn’t realize you were coming, otherwise I would ha?—”

“Addy! How’s it going?” Reed swings an arm over my shoulder and tips his hat to Ruby. When his brows shoot up and his mouth gapes, he removes his arm from me and shoves his hands into his back pockets. Okay . . . Her face slackens and she raises an eyebrow. Reed clears his throat and holds out a hand to Rubes.

“Ah, Reed Rawlins. You must be Addy’s friend from the Big Apple?”

“Ruby. Nice to meet you.”

He takes her in, with a breathy huff, as if not believing what he’s seeing. “If these two are off into the sunset, I can give you a tour of the Montana mountains. If you’d like.”

“Um, is that okay with you guys?” Ruby asks, eyes widening in my direction, a cheeky smile on her pretty lips.

“Sure; apparently, I have plans.”

Hudson chuckles and adjusts his hold on the reins.

“Huddo, I’ll be taking your truck,” Reed says, ushering Rubes toward the barn.

“Smooth, Rawlins. You two are hilarious, really.” I laugh.

Hudson’s gorgeous mouth splits with the happiest grin. God, who could deny that face. I walk to Rocket’s shoulder and look up at him. “Well, then, hand over my boy.”

He drops the reins into my waiting hands, and I swing into the saddle. “So you know, I’m still not confident with big spaces.”

“I’ll be right next to you. Soon you’ll be begging to lope off into the sunset by yourself.”

I screw up my face and poke out my tongue. But my gut is a tangle of knots. And not because I’m on a horse. Every time we’re this close, I feel overwhelmed, but in the best way possible. Like when I step into Hudson’s space, I can finally breathe. And for the first time in my life, I feel valued by a man. Worthy, and something like treasured.

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