Page 186 of Ride the Sky

My eyes widen. “What?”

From his back pocket he pulls a dusty piece of paper. “My brothers found it when they were clearing away the rubble of my Airstream. It must’ve got lost in the slats of the screen door.”

I stare at it, stunned. “Fuck. Guess my cover’s blown.”

Brows lifting, he grins. “I’m gonna frame the shit out of this.”

“Such a romantic,” I tease as he refolds the paper and puts it protectively in his pocket.

“Fuck yeah, I am.” He tugs my belt loops, pulling me closer. His hands go to my face, and he looks me in the eyes. “I love you back, Fallon.” His words burrow in my chest, bloom.

I shake my head, trying to ward off the tears. I’ve never cried at the rodeo. I guess there’s a first time for everything.

“Cowgirl, I love you.” His voice shakes. “I’ve never loved anyone but you.”

I sob-laugh. “Take it back before you ruin both our lives.”

“Too late, baby.” He grins. “We got damn good lives to be lived. Together.”

I slide a hand over his cheek. “Me, you, and a life on the road.”

“Anything,” Wyatt husks. “Anything you want. My life is yours. My love is yours.”

There’s so much love in his eyes, so much emotion in his voice. I bite my lip. Hard. But the blush flooding my cheeks can’t be stopped. Neither can my love for this man.

“I am not made to be still,” I tell him. “But I am made for you, Wyatt. I am made to be your wife.”

“Stay married to me?” he asks.

“Yes. For good this time.” Grinning, I hold up my hand. He goes still when he sees the tattooed wedding band on my ring finger. Pride, joy, disbelief light his eyes.

“Fuck, baby,” he rasps, grabbing me to him. “You’re wreckin’ me. Means so fuckin’ much,” he murmurs, dropping his mouth to mine.

I drink him in, grip those broad shoulders and hold on tight.

I’m going to love Wyatt like he deserves. My man. My husband. Getting permanent ink proves to him I want to do this, do us, forever.

At the announcement of the barrel racing segment, we pull back. It’s time.

“You got this, Trouble.” Wyatt’s hands go to my vest. Cinch it tighter. His firm grip settles me. “They ain’t gonna miss you, Fallon. All your hard work, they’re gonna see you.”

“You see me,” I tell him tearfully. “That’s all that matters.”

A tear slips down his cheek. Voice husky, he says, “When you’re done, I’ll be here, and we’ll go home.”

Love settles in my heart. I nod. “Yes. Home.”

It’s all I want.

“I love you.” I make my voice, soft, steady, and see my own words reflected in his eyes.

“Ride the sky, baby.” He kisses my lips, adjusts my Stetson, and then ducks beneath the stands to disappear into the crowd of people.

I close my eyes. And breathe. Just breathe.

Ride the sky.

Isettle beside Dakota in the stands. “You ready for this?” she asks.

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