Page 66 of Wasted

"Cole," I warned. "This is?—"

"Your home," he cut me off, setting me on my feet in the living room. I studied him. I wasn't sure if I'd heard him correctly. "It's your home, Taylor."

"I-I don't understand."

"The house, the property, the stables, the horses, the wedding venue barn, it's all yours." My lips parted, and my heart clenched tightly in my chest as my brain tried to comprehendwhat he was saying. "You can sell the bar and follow your dreams now."

"But..." I stumbled over my words. "The man who called me?"

"That's me." A tall blond man dressed in a black suit and tie appeared from the kitchen. "It was never my property. Cole bought the place, fixed it up, and now I'm here to help transfer the property back to its true owner."

My gaze shifted from the man to Cole. "You did this for me?" My face twisted with confusion. "But you asked me to move in with you?"

"I never said where." He shrugged. "I planned to combine our land and give Bailey my parents home if you said yes."

"So I give you and Bailey the bar, and I get my house back?"

Cole smiled. "No, there are no conditions to get your home back. You never should have lost it in the first place. If you want to keep the bar, then keep it, but if you want to run your ranch and open your own wedding venue, then Bailey and I are ready to take the bar off your hands."

"It's yours." I huffed out a laugh. "I just feel bad giving it to you in such bad condition."

"Bailey needs a new project."

My gaze swept over the living room before flicking between the two men and finally settling on Cole. "This is for real?"

He nodded. "I told you Rodeo had a great owner who would take good care of him."

"It's me." I touched my fingers to my chest. "I'm his owner."

"As soon as you sign these papers," the blonde man said, holding up a pen. "You own everything."

"Why did you let me believe this was my last time here?"

He exhaled through his nose. "Because you're stubborn. I needed to remind you how much you loved this place; otherwise,you wouldn't have accepted it from me." He was right. I was stubborn, and I didn't like taking handouts.

"What if I drive it into the ground again?"

His palms lifted, cupping my cheeks. "You won't," Cole reassured me, his thumbs brushing along my cheekbone. "Taylor, you were caring for two dying people, running the ranch and a bar. Now, you only have to take care of the ranch."

"And myself," I teased. I was the biggest mess.

"I'm hoping you'll let me take care of you." I smiled wide as my eyes closed, and I leaned into his touch. Having someone take care of me was a big change that I could get used to.

My eyes opened, shifting to the blonde man as he cleared his throat. "Cole has some clients lined up who are looking for their horses to be broken in," the blonde man smiled, "and some parents looking for riding lessons to get you started."

"And when you're ready, Bailey and I will help you get your wedding business off the ground."

My heart melted. After everything I'd put him through, Cole had done all this for me.

"That barn will make a beautiful venue," the blonde man said. My gaze shifted, meeting his. "It's beautiful inside."

"I can't wait to see it."

"Maybe we could use our wedding to advertise the venue," Cole said.

I whipped around. "Our wedding?" My voice trailed off.

Cole was on one knee holding a tiny black ring box. "Our wedding," he repeated. "Taylor Nicole Coleman, will you marry me?"

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