Page 109 of Saddle and Bound

"Go," Aurora encourages me with a smile. "We'll keep everything under control here. You go and drive your man crazy."

Rory has spoken little today. I've noticed that sometimes she seems a bit more absent. Sometimes she seems more uncomfortable... but it's probably just some anxiety about the upcoming graduation. She has the exam next week... but she still came for the wedding. She's adorable, and I make a mental note to pamper her more. I was incredibly nervous before my graduation, so I want to make her feel a bit better.

We'll all go with her for the big day, even though the ranch is going through tough times. The guys are drowning in extra work, and Alex has told me about the delicate situation.

But Rory is the baby of the family, and we'll be there for her.

With a final look of gratitude to my friends, I leave the main house and head towards the meadow behind our cabin. My heart is beating so hard I fear the entire ranch might hear it.

I hide behind a large tree, waiting with trepidation. Every second seems to last an eternity. Then, finally, I hear footsteps approaching and Alex's familiar voice calling my name.

It's the moment. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and prepare to make my entrance.

Chapter 72

Alex

Rosie’s message caught me off guard.“I need your help with something.”Those words quicken my pace as I head toward the meadow behind our cabin. My heart pounds, a mix of worry and anticipation tightening my stomach.

Ever since Rosie’s accident, I can’t help but fear the worst whenever something unexpected happens. I know it’s probably nothing, but the thought of losing her terrifies me more than anything else in the world.

I reach the meadow, my eyes scanning the area frantically. “Rosie?” I call, my voice betraying a hint of apprehension. “Rosie, where are you?”

And then I see her.

Time seems to stop. Rosie is running toward me, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Her red hair streams behind her in the wind, interwoven with tiny wildflowers. She’s wearing a long white dress, flowing and airy, swirling around her like a cloud. Her bare feet barely touch the grass as she moves.

My breath catches in my throat. She looks exactly as she did in a dream I had long ago, back when I already loved her but hadn’t realized it yet. That dream I’ve told her about so many times, confessing how much I adored it and how often it still lingers in my mind.

I can’t believe my Rosie made that dream a reality. Emotion washes over me like a wave, leaving my heart trembling.

When she reaches me, I sweep her into my arms, lifting her off the ground. I spin her around, her crystalline laughter filling the air. Her scent, a blend of wildflowers and something uniquelyRosie,overwhelms me.

“Alex!” she exclaims through her laughter, clutching at my shoulders. “Put me down!”

But I don’t want to let her go. I hold her tightly, feeling the steady beat of her heart against my chest. Then, slowly, we sink into the soft grass of the meadow.

I can’t stop looking at her, touching her, as if to confirm she’s real and not just another dream. My hands roam through her hair, over her face, along her arms.

“You’re… you’re stunning,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with emotion. “I can’t believe you did this for me.”

Rosie smiles, her eyes shining with happiness. “I wanted to surprise you. I wanted us to have a moment just for ourselves before the madness of the day begins.”

I can’t hold back anymore. I kiss her, pouring every ounce of love, gratitude, and awe I feel into that kiss. My lips brush her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, always finding their way back to her soft, sweet mouth.

Rolling in the grass, I pull her close, laughing and kissing her alternately. Rosie’s dress fans out around us like a white cloud, the flowers in her hair mingling with the grass.

“I love you,” I murmur between kisses. “I love you so much, Rosie. You’re my dream come true.”

In this moment, with Rosie in my arms, surrounded by the beauty of the ranch and the promise of our future together, I feel like the luckiest man in the world.

But maybe… we can make this moment even more special. We still have a bit of time.

I glance around to ensure we’re alone before ducking my head beneath the flowing fabric of her dress, ready to show my woman that her mischievous cowboy is truly back.

Rosie laughs at first, but those giggles soon give way to excitement and breathless moans.

A quick romp before the wedding? I’d say it’s the perfect idea!

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