Page 82 of Saddle and Bound

"Rosie, sweetheart! Finally, I get to see you," he exclaims, holding me tight.

"Hi Dad," I respond, feeling a twinge of guilt for neglecting him lately. "I'm sorry I haven't been in touch much..."

He waves away my apologies with a dismissive gesture. "Don't worry about it. What matters is that you're here now."

We begin walking along the trail, surrounded by lush nature. For a while, we chat about trivial things - the weather, his work, how I'm settling in at the ranch.

"So," Dad says with a knowing smile, "how are things with Alex? I saw him the other day when I stopped by to check on that foal. He seemed happier than usual."

I smile, feeling my heart warm at the thought of Alex. "It's... it's really wonderful, Dad. Alex is... he's amazing."

Dad nods, looking satisfied. "I know he's a good man. Always thought so. Someone who loves animals that much can't be bad. And I've seen how deeply he cares about his horses' well-being."

I hadn't considered that my father and Alex might have developed a connection. Of course, with Dad being the ranch veterinarian, they must have spent considerable time together. It warms my heart to know that Dad holds Alex in such high regard.

Taking a deep breath, I know it's time to open up. "Dad, there's something I'd like to talk to you about."

He looks at me attentively. "I'm listening, sweetheart.”

"Well... these past few weeks have given me a chance to reflect on my life," I begin, carefully choosing my words. "About my work, about what I truly want..."

Dad nods, encouraging me to continue.

"I've realized that... I'm not happy with my marketing job. Haven't been for a while, actually." I pause, meeting my father's eyes. "And being here, in this magical place, has reminded me how much I loved writing as a child."

I see a flash of understanding in Dad's eyes, but he remains silent, letting me continue.

"I'm thinking of... making a big change, Dad," I finally say. "I want to leave my job in Los Angeles and pursue my dream of becoming a writer."

Dad stays quiet for a moment, then squeezes my hand. "Oh, Rosie. You don't know how happy I am to hear those words."

"Really?" I ask, surprised yet not entirely shocked by his reaction. But my insecurity is a fierce beast, and the last thing I want is to disappoint my father.

He nods. "You know, when you first arrived here, you seemed a bit out of place. So different from my little girl who dreamed of writing stories. But then I saw how your eyes lit up looking at this place. I hoped you'd make this decision, but I didn't want to pressure you."

His words touch me deeply. "There's... there's more, Dad," I add, my heart pounding. "I've decided to stay here. Permanently. With Alex."

For a moment, Dad remains silent. Then, to my surprise, he smiles tenderly. "Well, I can't say I'm completely surprised. The way you look at that boy... it's unmistakable."

I feel tears welling up in my eyes. "I was afraid you wouldn't approve, that you'd think I was making a mistake leaving my career..."

"Sweetheart," Dad says, taking my hands in his, "all I've ever wanted is your happiness. And if your happiness is here, with Alex, chasing your childhood dream, then I couldn't be more thrilled."

I can no longer hold back my tears. "Thank you, Dad. You don't know how much it means to hear you say that."

He hugs me tight. "Besides," he adds with a smile in his voice, "now I'll have you closer. I couldn't ask for anything better."

We laugh together, both misty-eyed, as we continue our walk hand in hand, the morning sun casting a golden glow over the trail ahead.

Chapter 51

Rosie

The early afternoon heat is in full force as I approach the horse paddock, the picnic basket swinging gently from my arm. I’ve never felt so comfortable—or so happy—wearing casual clothes. I’ve never been so content in a pair of denim shorts and a simple top. And then, of course, I added cowboy boots, the ones I know Alex loves. I’ll admit, it’s a bit too hot for boots, but these are lightweight and barely come up my calves. And if it gets too warm, I can always kick them off and walk barefoot. That last thought really makes me smile, especially when I think back to the barbecue night and how much effort it took to let myself walk barefoot.

I feel like a completely different woman now.

Completely different, yet more myself than I’ve ever been.

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