Page 33 of Saddle and Bound

Me: I'll be there! Can't wait! ?? But... how about we also go shopping? I need to upgrade my wardrobe.

I close my eyes, letting the anticipation for tomorrow envelop me. For the first time since I arrived at the ranch, I feel truly excited about something. It's no longer just a matter of work or duty to my father. It's something just for me.

For a moment, I think about my life in the city. My job, my friends, the routine I left behind. It all seems so far away now, almost as if it belonged to another person.

I shake my head, chasing away those thoughts. It's not the time to think about the past or the future. Now I just want to focus on the present, on this new Rosie that's emerging here at the ranch.

I pick up my phone. I open the gallery and scroll through the photos until I find the one I was looking for: a selfie I took with the girls today, all smiling and a bit dirty after a day of work at the ranch.

I look at my face in that photo and see something different. My eyes shine with a light I haven't seen in a long time. My cheeks are flushed, but not from makeup.

I look... happy. Truly happy.

With a smile, I set that photo as my phone background.

It's a reminder of who I'm becoming here, of this new Rosie that's emerging.

Tomorrow night will be just the beginning, I tell myself.

The beginning of what, I don't know yet. But I can't wait to find out.

And if along the way I happen to make a certain stubborn cowboy lose his mind... well, all the better.

Chapter 18

Alex

I didn’t see Rosie at dinner yesterday, and I haven’t seen her all day today. She’s skipped every meal—or maybe she’s had them somewhere else, with someone else.

It’s all I can think about.

I should be focusing on the horses’ training schedules. This afternoon, Cherry—a new mare we’re adding to the competition roster—needs her first round of athletic prep. But instead, my thoughts keep circling back to Rosalie Thorne.

Is she avoiding me?

The idea cuts deep, sharper than I’d like to admit.

Last night, we were all at the table. I tried to sound casual when I asked if we should wait for Rosie. Robert shrugged it off, said she was probably tired from the day’s work and didn’t want to disturb her if she was resting.

This morning, I went for coffee at 8:30—the time the princess usually graces us with her presence for breakfast. But she wasn’t there. Rosie is nothing if not predictable, and her absence was a red flag I couldn’t ignore. For the second time, I wondered: is she avoiding me?

I spent more time wandering the ranch than I should have, circling places I had no reason to be. I should’ve stayed in the pens, assessing the training of the five veteran horses. But no matter where I went, there was no sign of her.

Lunch came and went. She wasn’t there either. The girls were gone too, which made it easier to deflect attention when I asked about them. Maria said they were out somewhere—maybe in Elm Hollow, the little town closest to the ranch. She didn’t specify if Rosie was with them, and I didn’t push it.

The last thing I need is more smirks and raised eyebrows from the guys. They’re already relentless, tossing out teasing remarks every time I so much as glance around or ask a question.

How irritating.

The sun is setting now, casting long shadows across the ranch. I’ve done my best to focus on my work, but no matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep drifting back to that fiery-haired princess. I haven’t seen Rosie all day, and it’s souring my mood more than I care to admit.

Preparations for the evening are in full swing.

The air is charged with excitement and a bit of nervousness, at least on my part.

Chris is arranging the wood for the bonfire on the beach, while Diego and Fran are carrying cases of beer and the sangria Maria prepared. The smell of freshly baked pizza wafts through the air, making my mouth water... even though my stomach is in knots and I don't think I could eat a thing.

I didn't even have lunch today. I showed up for lunch just to see Rosie... but since she wasn’t there, I excused myself, saying I wasn’t hungry and that I’d get back to work. Which is totally strange for me... I love eating and I'm always ravenous. With all the energy I burn during the day...

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