Page 111 of Saddle and Bound

While Marco speaks of the love that united Robert and Maria, of how they found each other despite distance and cultural differences, I can't help but think about me and Rosie. How much I would want such a happy ending for us. How much I would love to stand here, in front of everyone, promising my eternal love to Rosie.

But I know it's too early. We've known each other for just over three months, though it feels like a lifetime. Rosie has already made enormous changes for me: she left her country, her job, everything she knew. I can't ask her to take another such significant step now. I need to give her time to settle in, to be sure of her feelings, to be happy here.

Yet, watching Rosie wipe away a joyful tear as her father and Maria exchange vows, I can't help but imagine a future where we are the ones standing there, promising eternal love to each other. It seems I was born just for her, as if every moment of my life had led me to this, to her.

I know Rosie is too good for me. She's so intelligent, so strong, so wonderful. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to have her in my life. And precisely because of this, I don't want to risk ruining everything with a premature proposal. I would never want her to wake up one day thinking she made a mistake by marrying me.

Marco is concluding the ceremony, his words full of hope for Robert and Maria's future. I look at Rosie once more, and my heart fills with love and hope. Perhaps I can't ask her to marry me now, but I can promise myself to love her every day, to make her happy, to be the man she deserves.

As applause erupts for the newlyweds, I take Rosie's hand in mine. She turns towards me, her smile as bright as the sun. And I fully realize that no matter how long it takes, I will wait. I'll wait until she's ready, until she's sure. Because I know Rosie is my future, and I'm not in a hurry to get there. I want to enjoy every single moment of our journey together.

Chapter 75

Alex

After the ceremony, it's time for speeches. Rosie stands up, slightly nervous but with eyes sparkling with emotion. Her speech for her father and Maria is incredibly sweet, brimming with love and hope for their future together. Her words touch everyone's hearts, and I catch Robert discreetly wiping away a tear.

Then comes Aunt Tina's turn. As she rises with an endless-looking rolled-up scroll in her hand, I notice Maria's eyes widening almost imperceptibly. Aunt Tina begins to unroll the parchment, and continues... and continues... and continues. For a moment, I fear her speech might last until tomorrow. But when she starts speaking, all worry vanishes, replaced by growing hilarity.

A few more speeches follow, and then the reception kicks into gear. It's an outdoor event with a country-chic style. The garden is filled with white-clothed tables and golden chairs, perfectly complemented by sunflowers. The food is endless and exquisite—and don't even get me started on the wine. I hover close to Rosie, filling her plate with delicacies. I'm delighted to see her enjoying herself and curious about which of our traditional dishes she loves most.

While we're standing and sipping yet another glass of wine, it's time for Rory's performance. She's a magnificent dancer and captures everyone's attention. I even notice Diego—who I don't think is typically interested in classical dance—watching her intently. Fran whistles and applauds. Lexy films the performance. Val and Chris are lost in their own world of kisses. Max, as always, is... well, Max—with his apathetic expression, standing apart. Yet I notice he's always within eyesight, keeping Lexy in his peripheral vision. Rosie is right—there's something brewing between those two that goes beyond mere dislike.

The performance ends, and it's time for everyone to hit the dance floor. Of course, I waste no time in asking my Rosie to dance. We sway closely together, and I can't help but repeatedly kiss her temple and whisper how much I love her.

Epilogue

Rosie

A year has passed since I decided to move permanently to Sunrise Ranch, and I can barely remember my life before this. I've been living with Alex for twelve months now, and our life together is a sweet flow of days filled with love, tenderness, and passion.

Every morning, Alex rises early but never forgets to prepare my coffee. I've become an early riser too, and the rooster's crow—which I've affectionately named Giliberto—no longer disturbs me. Instead, it's become an integral part of our dawn's soundtrack.

Alex prepares breakfast before heading to work, and I follow him to the porch. We shower each other with kisses, barely able to part, until we reluctantly must. He goes to work with his beloved horses, while I remain on the porch, sipping what I now consider the world's best coffee and writing.

My first book has been published and became a bestseller. I still can't believe how fortunate I've been. I've received excellent reviews, and it particularly impressed Read_with_Amelie, a trending bookstagrammer who continues to talk about it and has sent me the sweetest messages.

Now I'm continuing the series, with endless ideas for creating new stories.

My horseback riding lessons with Alex continue. It makes me smile that my first lesson, which seems like a lifetime ago, was at dawn, whereas now we've agreed to have them at sunset. It's a more convenient hour because Alex goes to work early... but I'll never forget how I felt that first day on the horse, those first brushes with Alex, and the magnificent colors of the dawn sky—which, honestly, I had never truly seen before.

Our lessons have become the most anticipated moments of my days, an opportunity to be together, learn, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of ranch sunsets.

Life is perfect. Sometimes I wonder if it's all a dream, but then Alex smiles at me, and I know it's real, tangible, wonderful.

The sun begins its daily descent as I make my way to the paddock for our riding lesson. The air is saturated with scents: freshly cut grass, leather saddles, the sweet hint of wild flowers dotting the fields. Alex awaits me, leaning against the fence with a smile that still makes my heart flutter like the first time.

We mount our horses and set off along the trail beside the stream. The sound of hooves on packed earth blends with the gurgling water and the chirping of birds preparing for the night. The sky above is a living painting: streaks of orange, pink, and gold merge into a masterpiece no artist could ever replicate.

Sunset light caresses everything, softening contours and giving an almost magical glow to the landscape. Alex's figure stands out against the fiery sunset sky, his body's outline made even more defined by the golden light. He rides his favorite horse, a powerful black stallion, and together they form an image straight out of a western film.

The muscles of his arms and shoulders flex as he firmly holds the reins, his body moving in perfect synchrony with the horse's. His plaid shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows, reveals tanned, toned forearms sculpted by ranch work.

His chiseled, masculine face is partially hidden by a cowboy hat, but I can see the determined line of his jaw and the intense gaze of his eyes scanning the horizon. There's a pride in his bearing, a quiet strength emanating from every movement.

I can't help but think how lucky I am.

Suddenly, Alex pulls his horse's reins, stopping. There's something different about him, a tension I've never seen before. He dismounts with a fluid motion, but his eyes betray an emotion I can't quite decipher.

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