Page 77 of Saddle and Bound

"Oh, come on!" Ethan interjects. "It's clear from a mile away that you two are made for each other. I bet you'll be at the altar within a year!"

I feel my cheeks flush, but I can't deny that the idea makes me smile. "You guys are getting ahead of yourselves. For now, I'm just happy as I am."

Maria smiles at me sweetly. "Love has its own timing. Let Rosie and Alex enjoy this moment."

"Right!" exclaims Val, raising her glass. "A toast to Rosie and her sexy cowboy! May they ride happily into the sunset!"

We all burst out laughing, once again attracting the attention of other customers.

As the evening progresses, the conversation moves from one topic to another, and with every glass of prosecco, we become more sentimental.

"You know something?" says Ethan, his eyes glistening. "I'm so happy to have you all in my life. You girls are my family." Typical of my sentimental best friend.

I adore him, and it's impossible not to love him - he's a pure and spontaneous soul.

"Aww, Ethan!" exclaims Lexy, hugging him. "You're our family too!"

Soon we find ourselves in a group hug, laughing and crying at the same time.

Suddenly, I feel the need to share with my friends and Maria the decisions I've made.

"Girls," I say, addressing the girls since Ethan already knows, "there's something I need to tell you."

Everyone turns to me, their eyes a little hazy from the alcohol but attentive. I take a deep breath.

"I've decided to move here... I'd love to stay at the ranch" I announce, feeling a smile form on my lips as I say those words out loud.

For a moment, there's silence at the table. Then, suddenly, they burst into shouts of joy.

"Oh, Rosie!" exclaims Val, almost spilling her drink in an attempt to hug me. "This is wonderful!"

Lexy and Maria join in the hug, creating a tangle of arms and laughter.

Maria, with glistening eyes, takes my hand. "Rosie, darling, you have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. Robert will be thrilled."

I feel tears in my eyes. "Really?"

Maria nods, squeezing my hand. "Your father loves you so much, Rosie. Knowing that you'll be staying close to him... well, it will be the most wonderful gift you could give him."

"There's more," I add, feeling emboldened by their reaction. "I've decided to change careers. I want... I want to become a writer."

The girls remain silent for a moment, then burst into another wave of enthusiasm.

"It's always been my dream," I admit, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "But I never had the courage to truly pursue it. Until..."

"Until the sexy cowboy came along," Ethan finishes with a grin.

I laugh, nodding. "Yes, until Alex came. He... he made me realize that I can do it. He's encouraged me to follow my dreams."

Maria smiles at me sweetly. "Love does that, darling. It gives us the strength to be the best version of ourselves."

"A toast!" exclaims Lexy, raising her glass. "To Rosie, her new life at the ranch, and her writing career!"

We all raise our glasses, toasting with laughter and a few tears of joy.

"So," says Val with a mischievous smile, "your first book will be a love story set on a ranch, right? With a sexy cowboy as the protagonist?"

I burst out laughing, feeling light and happy. "Who knows? Maybe. I certainly won't be lacking in inspiration."

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