Page 6 of Curvy Girl and the Grumpy Cowboy

We walk to his truck, the gravel crunching beneath our boots. When we reach it, he turns to face me, his expression unreadable beneath the brim of his hat.

"Thank you for lunch," he says formally.

"You're welcome." I cross my arms, the afternoon sun warm on my back. "And thank you for helping with the water."

He nods, opening his door. I should let him go. Should walk away first. But something keeps me rooted to the spot.

"Jackson," I hear myself say as he's about to climb in. "The center is having a fundraiser next Saturday night. At the community hall. Nothing too fancy. You should come."

"A fundraiser," he repeats.

"Yes. Bring your brothers. It's for a good cause." I keep my tone casual, as if I'm not offering an olive branch seven years in the making.

"Are you sure you want me there?"

The question is loaded with everything we're not saying. I square my shoulders.

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

Something shifts in his expression—a softening around the eyes, a slight easing of the tension in his jaw. "Then I'll be there."

I nod, stepping back from his truck. "Good."

As he drives away, dust billowing behind his truck, I realize my heart is pounding. I just invited Jackson Covington to my fundraiser—the man who broke my heart—the man I've never been able to forget.

If he wants another chance, he's going to have to work for it. I've spent seven years building a life without him, becoming the woman I was always meant to be. I won't go backward, won't compromise my dreams again.

But as I watch his truck disappear down the road, I can't deny the truth that's followed me all the way from Seattle: there's a reason I never found anyone else. There's a reason I came back to Cedar Falls.

If Jackson Covington is finally ready to fight for me, I might just let him try.

Chapter 3 - Jackson

I drive away from Sarah's place with my head spinning. Her words echo as I navigate the familiar roads back to the ranch. A fundraiser. She invited me to a fundraiser. Like we're two normal people who can be in the same room without seven years of regret hanging over us.

Midnight's waiting when I get back, standing a little more alert in her stall. Relief washes through me at the sight. I mix the antibiotics into some sweet feed, watching as she cautiously starts to eat.

"That's it, girl," I murmur, stroking her neck. "This'll have you right as rain soon."

I'm so focused on the mare that I don't hear the footsteps until a voice breaks the quiet of the barn.

"Melissa called. Asked if Midnight's medicine is working."

Cole leans against the stall door, his weight shifted to favor his good ankle. I don't look up from the horse.

"Just gave her the first dose," I answer. "She should improve in a couple of days."

Cole nods, watching me work. Something in his silence feels loaded, like a gun waiting to go off.

"Heard you might've taken a detour on your way back," he finally says.

I freeze for just a second before continuing to check Midnight's water bucket. "News travels fast."

"Small town." Cole shifts his weight. "I was gonna tell you she was back."

Now I do look up, meeting my brother's gaze directly. "When? After her therapy center's been open a year?"

His jaw tightens. "Don't start, Jackson. You know it's complicated."

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