Page 140 of Heart & Hope

Every single part of him.

But there is one more surprise for the day, thanks to Lawson’s help. And this moment feels like the right one.

“You alright?” I ask.

“Am now, Rubes.”

I smile and push up from the floor, pulling him up with a hand. His family watches as I lead him to the door. Slipping on my boots with the pink tops I love so much, I hand him his coat and nudge his shoes toward him with my foot. He dons both as I pull my coat over my shoulders.

Outside, the snow swirls around us as we head for the barn. It’s freezing out here, but I don’t plan on being in the cold long.

“Where are we going, Rubes?”

“Close your eyes. This is your Christmas gift, but I couldn’t wrap it.”

“Don’t tell me Huddo palmed another horse off on us.”

I turn back. His face is lit up with mirth.

“Close your eyes, Reed Rawlins.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Chapter 35

REED

The snowfall is frigid. But it’s forgotten the second Ruby’s elegant hand slips into mine. I peek through one cracked eyelid as we cross the barn threshold. It’s slightly warmer in here than outside.

“Hey! Your eyes are supposed to be closed!”

Shit.

I snap my eyes shut and let Ruby lead me over the hay-littered floor. She stops me, hands on my shoulders. “Stay.”

Her strawberry scent fades. Something crackles, hissing as it falls to the ground, I’m guessing.

“Hand out,” Ruby says excitedly.

I put a hand out and warm fingers turn my palm up, as something that clinks drops into it.

Ruby’s smell closes in on me and her soft lips brush against my own. A heartbeat later, she breaks away. “Open your eyes, baby.”

I crack an eye, and she jumps up and down, grinning, her hands wrapped around my free one.

Both eyes wide, I stare at it.

Mouth gaping.

Heart frozen on the last beat.

Ruby is grinning from ear to ear, but her excitement fades a little when I don’t move. “You like it?” She chews her bottom lip and glances between me and a brand-new Black Widow Limited Edition F-250. The exact same one I had, but next generation.

Sweet Jesus, Rubes.

I step toward her. “I?—”

She drags me to the driver’s side door. “Sorry I totaled your old one. I know how much your truck meant to you.”

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