Page 71 of Her Saltwater Cowboy

“She’s reliable,” Willow said, chin lifting.

“She’s a cautionary tale,” he shot back. “But I’ll give her this—she got you here.”

Their eyes met again, and lightness settled over them. They held hands, the ocean whispering behind them, the tension that once held them tight now unraveled into something steadier. Truer.

“Come back with me,” Chance said after a while, voice deep.

“I never left.”

He nodded once, like he believed her now. Then he glanced up the hill to where his truck sat waiting. For a beat, he didn’t move.

“Don’t feel like being alone just yet,” he said.

“Then don’t be.”

He quirked a smile at her. “You want me to ride up the hill in that rickety car of yours?”

“I dare you. One of the guys can get your car later.”

“Fine.” He stretched an arm around her. “I’ll ride shotgun. But I swear, if that car makes another sound like a dying cow, I’m walking.”

Willow smiled, wide and unguarded for the first time in a long, long while. “Deal.”

* * *

“Something’s different.” Bella peered at Willow with inquisitive eyes. “You’re glowing.”

“So anyway,” Willow was saying, holding up a fresh jar of Topa Gold in the sunlight, “I think this is our best batch yet. It’s a good thing we took a closer look at those trees over in the eastern corner. Still had some good juice on them.”

Bella squinted down the hill. “And why were Joey and Luke driving Chance’s truck into the compound yesterday? I saw them real early. He never lets anyone drive his truck.”

Willow set a second jar of oil into the basket. “Pretty sure this is good enough to be tossed onto pasta with some fresh garlic. Maybe add some grated parm on top too.”

Bella poked a fist into her side. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Willow sent a sly smile Bella’s way.

“Oh my gosh, you and Chance … you’refinallya couple!” She turned her chin and pointed a finger. “Tell me I’m right.”

“For heaven’s sake, can’t a girl have any secrets from you?” Willow tsked.

“No, they cannot!” Bella threw her arms around Willow. “I’m so happy for you two. It was so obvious howperfectyou were for each other.”

Willow laughed, squeezed her back, and let the news wash over her for the millionth time. Chance loved her. She loved him back. Everything was good for a change.

Well, almost everything …

Willow swung a look across the grove where Chance and Rafael worked together to move a fence line marking a new boundary for grazing. She pushed fearful thoughts from her mind, and focused on the good.

Gratefulness washed over her at witnessing Chance and Rafael’s partnership, especially after the tension of the foreman’s first couple of weeks on the ranch.

In the days since Ace’s passing, Chance had taken up the mantle his father left behind. He’d taken on extraordinary responsibilities with grace, grit, and even some moments of humor.

Like continuing the ribbing about poor old Lucille. He moaned and groaned the whole way home from the beach, like he’d bruised every part of that handsome body of his along the ride.

As if.

Even the ranch hands got in on it and started teasing her about her poor car:

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