Page 82 of Dirty Cowboy

"I’m sorry I scared you by taking Shadow," she says. "But I’m not sorry for taking her out, because it got you upset, and that got you to kiss me."

My mouth quirks. "I would’ve found a way to kiss you, either way."

I step in, lean down, and steal another kiss, just a brush of my lips over hers, but it’s enough to deepen this thing between us. This thing I can’t name.

"You’re good with Shadow," I murmur against her mouth. "You have a connection with her."

"Does that mean I can ride her tomorrow?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Everyone will be in town by early afternoon, getting ready for Harvest Fest. Mechanical bull riding closes out the evening."

I kiss her again, slow and deliberate, until Shadow nudges her shoulder, breaking us apart. Emma’s laughter echoes across the fields, bright and intoxicating. Her happiness belongs here. Just like she does. We start walking again, and I wonder how the hell I’m supposed to let her go.

The cool night air hums around us as I walk beside Emma. Shadow nudges at her shoulder while Dash follows my lead, our steps slow and unrushed, like we’re savoring every second between us.

"How was lunch with Grandpa?" she asks, glancing sideways at me. "He picked me up for breakfast this morning in Suzy. He’s such a character."

A small smirk tugs at my lips. "Yeah, he is." I hesitate, then add, "He signed the papers. The assets will transfer after Harvest Fest, once we make the announcement."

“That’s really good.” Her voice is warm, but there’s a flicker of something unreadable in her expression.

I nod. "It is. God knows who would’ve bought the ranch if I couldn’t make the payment next week."

“So, we saved it?”

Almost. I’m not counting the blessings until the money’s in the account.

"You saved it." I glance at her, the truth of it settling deep in my chest. "I couldn’t have done it without you."

She tries lifting higher to meet my mouth, but she stumbles, her foot landing in something less than ideal.

"Aw, damn it!" Emma groans, shaking her boot in a futile attempt to clean it.

A laugh rumbles through me as she gags dramatically, hopping on one foot. Before she can faceplant into a pile of manure, I grab her, catching her around the waist. Her body melts against mine, unsteady but trusting.

"This is not good," she mutters, shifting awkwardly in my arms.

"Just hold on. One more—there." I ease off her boots, setting them aside. She wiggles her bare toes, pink nails catching the dim light.

"Get on my back," I tell her. "It’ll be easier this way.”

"What?"

Before she can argue, I toss her up, securing her legs over my waist as she lets out a surprised shriek.

"What are you doing?"

"Piggyback. Just don’t choke me."

“Okay, Horsey,” she teases. Emma settles into my hold, her laughter light against my ear as I walk the last fifty yards to the stable door, letting the horses through the front opening. The remaining herd nears, a mix of nine mares and two stallions moving like shadows in the night.

I adjust my grip on Emma’s thighs, carrying her toward a nearby hay bale. Setting her down gently, I glance toward the stable, already mentally running through my evening routine.

"Wait here," I say, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek. "I’ll get the horses settled and be back."

Moving on autopilot, I flick on the heater, aiming it toward Emma’s feet before getting to work. One by one, I lead the horses into their stalls, removing saddles and refilling water buckets. The rhythmic clatter of hooves and soft snorts fill the air as the last of the herd settles in. When I return to Emma, she’s perched atop the hay barrel, her shirt half-unbuttoned, revealing a teasing hint of lace. The dim stable light catches the golden glow of her skin, and my pulse stirs.

Then I see the rope in her hands.

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