Page 35 of The Bride's Desire

The catcalls and whistles stopped him from going further. “Let’s go. Do you ride horses?”

She nodded. “It’s been a while.”

He took her hand and led her into the kitchen. He walked over to the sink and washed his hands. “We’re taking one of the trucks today because I don’t want you on a horse right now, but eventually, I would like to ride to the spot.”

“I understand,” she said.

He caught sight of a picnic basket on the kitchen table and grinned. “Where did you find that?”

“In one of the closets.”

“It’s perfect.”

“I thought so, too.”

Joe smiled. “I’m going to grab a blanket, and then I’ll be right back.”

He was back within a minute with the things he needed for the day. He snatched up the basket, tucked the blanket under his arm, and then grabbed her hand with his other.

They got to one of the trucks, and he lifted the basket and blanket into the back before leading her to the passenger side.

Naomi gasped when he lifted her onto the seat. “Thank you. I was wondering how I was going to climb in.”

“You’ll never do that,” he said. “Not while I’m around.” He’d already talked to his manager about the things he wanted done so he didn’t have to worry about the ranch for the day.

Joe started down one of the back roads and then reached for her hand. They drove in silence for several minutes, but it was a calming one and not awkward. It was like they’d been together for years.

“How far does your land go?” she asked.

“I own fifteen-hundred acres now. Every time land comes up for sale that touches mine, I buy it.”

“Wow. What do you do with all of it?” she asked.

“A lot of it I don’t do anything with yet. For some of the others, we move the cattle around so each pasture doesn’t getpulverized or overeaten. It helps with costs, too, since we don’t have to pay for so much hay. However, we grow different crops, like feed corn, hay, and straw for bedding. It helps keep costs down. We all keep busy, that’s for sure. I’m thinking about hiring another man.”

He caught the look in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

He saw how stiff she was and decided to let it go for the moment. He didn’t want anything to spoil what he had planned.

They topped a hill, and he could see his spot just up ahead.

She gasped and sat forward. “Oh, my. That’s beautiful.”

“I found this spot when I was a teenager and have kept it quiet. You’re the only one that will know about it.”

The brilliant smile on her face made him feel like a giant.

He parked the truck and went around to her door. He unbuckled her and set her on her feet. “Wait, Love. Let me get the basket and blanket. I want to hold your hand because the ground is a bit uneven.”

They started for the huge tree he always sat under. He spread the blanket and then put the basket down.

“Here, let me help,” he said and led her to a place that wasn’t bumpy.

They looked at each other, and he couldn’t get over the fact that she was his. He felt like the richest man in the world.

“Are you hungry?” he asked.

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