Page 92 of Dirty Cowboy

The wind rustles through the sunflowers, whispering around us, wrapping us in something that feels bigger than just a field and a secret. Two battles lie ahead—facing my dying father and saving Eric’s ranch. But right now, in this golden oasis, we have each other.

His fingers trace my jaw, tilting my face to his. “For what it’s worth, none of my kisses were pretend,” he murmurs.

A slow smile tugs at my lips as I press them to his. “Neither were mine.”

His forehead rests against mine, our breaths mingling. “We’re just beginning, aren’t we?”

“Yes.”

“Then why does this feel like so much more?”

I don’t answer, because deep down, I already know. Somewhere between the fake engagement and real kisses, between family secrets and whispered confessions, between my love and his growing feelings, we’ve stumbled into something real. Something worth fighting for.

The steering wheel burns under my grip as I navigate the sun-scorched country road home. Sweat beads on my forehead, and I can’t tell if it’s the lingering heat or the storm brewing inside me.

Tristan’s warning loops through my head, his voice a rough growl that clashes with Emma’s laughter still ringing in my ears. I’m stuck between the man I want to be for her and the man her brothers will never forgive.

And then there’s Huntz.

If my plan works, he’ll be gone soon. I narrow my eyes against the glare, focusing on the road ahead, refusing to let the thought linger.

At a stop sign, I glance at Emma. Sunlight spills through the window, catching the golden hues in her hair as she taps away on her phone. Her lips move silently as she types, lost in her own world. I wonder if she’s texting her mom. If she’s thinking about her father. If she’s thinking about me.

The fields stretch for miles, golden and swaying, like a reminder of tomorrow’s Harvest Festival. I picture Grandpa’s hands in mine, his face beaming with pride when I announce my engagement. But the image shimmers like a heat mirage, dissolving into the reality of deception. The weight of it presses against my chest.

I pull up to the house, the crunch of gravel under my tires grounding me. Before Emma can reach for the handle, I’m already out, opening her door. The heat presses down on us, thick and unwavering.

"How long before we leave?" she asks, shading her eyes with her hand.

I glance at my watch. "Thirty minutes. Annabelle's probably wrestling with streamers already."

She nods, the sunflower scarf in her hair fluttering in the breeze. "I'll go change."

Her footsteps fade inside, leaving me standing in the quiet, the weight of everything pressing down. I step toward the bookshelf by the open window, the curtains stirring in the breeze. My fingers skim the warm spines of old books before landing onMoby Dick.

I pull it free, revealing the hollow space behind it. The wad of cash feels damp in my palm, heavy with unspoken truths. I tuck it into my jacket, patting my pocket twice before stepping onto the porch.

The land stretches before me, endless and familiar. Tomorrow, the town will be alive with music, laughter, and lies. But for now, it's just me and the cicadas, counting down the minutes until I pay my dues and be free again.

The door creaks open behind me. I turn, and my breath catches.

Emma steps onto the porch, her daisy dukes hugging her curves, her new cowboy boots skimming mid-calf, rich brown leather complementing her sun-kissed skin. Loose waves spill over her shoulders, catching the afternoon light like spun gold.

Jesus, she’s beautiful.

Every step of her boots against the porch boards ignites something hot and restless inside me. I have no idea how I’m supposed to make it through the day without pulling her into the nearest dark corner.

"You're absolutely stunning," I murmur, pressing a bouquet of sunflowers into her hands.

She smiles, her fingers brushing mine. "Thank you, they're beautiful." She disappears inside, setting them in a vase while I follow her into the kitchen.

Something claws at my chest. "Are you okay?" The question escapes before I can stop it.

She moves toward me, her hands sliding around my waist. The moment her body presses into mine, I forget how to breathe.

"Perfect," she murmurs, tilting her face up. Her lips find mine in a slow, teasing kiss.

"Are we taking Suzy?" she asks against my mouth.

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