Page 85 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
Cleaning up and heading back to the truck brought a little more laughter because she made him bring the condom rather than bury it somewhere in the bushes.
She put the truck in gear, heading back to the cottage. “My sister brings my nieces up here, and none of us want to explain why there’s funny deflated balloons tucked in the trees.”
Finn snickered. “If you think we’re the ones who broke in that bench, you’re delusional.”
She gave him a tap on the arm. “Let me keep my innocence.”
“Ma chérie, you just debauched me on a park bench. Your brand of innocence rocks my socks off.”
They held hands and listened to the radio on the short trip home.
They weren’t done talking yet—she still needed to tell him the rest of her news. She grabbed them drinks while Finn went outside and got the fire pit burning. This time instead of side by side in Adirondack chairs, she settled on the bench across from him so she could see his face.
The sun was well and truly gone behind the mountains, and the stars glittered overhead. To the north, the lights of Black Diamond made the distant horizon glow faintly.
In the barn and arena beyond main house, the horses and animals they’d started to assemble moved quietly. Nighttime noises that fit so perfectly with this location.
Karen fell a little bit more in love with Heart Falls.
Or maybe it was the man across from her. Flames from the fire between them flickered, highlighting his satisfied expression.
“You look content,” she teased.
He leaned back, breathing slowly as his eyes flashed. “Building a good memory is a fine thing.”
She raised her glass lightly. “Here’s to building many more.”
He offered her a toast in return. “I can’t get this cast off soon enough. I don’t want you sitting way the hell over there. I want you in my arms where you belong.”
“We have plenty of time for that,” she reassured him.
Concern drifted into his face. “No more working so hard,” he said. “We’re taking the time we need for us. Especially since you’re only around until the end of September. At that point, you’ll get busy with school, and all, but I will be there with you. The first few weeks it’ll be a little touch and go as I get things tidied up around here—”
Oh my God. Karen held out a hand as if stopping traffic. “Wait.What?”
Determination flashed. “I told you I wasn’t ever walking away again. Since you’ve got to go somewhere for your training, I’m going with you. I’ll give you your space, but—”
“Finn.Stop.” She shook her head hard. “This is what I had to tell you. I’m not going to school.”
He didn’t say anything, just sat there staring at her, shocked.
“This is what started this whole thing. I think the program is a fantastic one, and, yeah, I was excited at first. It’s a good job, andmaybeit’s something I want to do down the road. But I think Old Karen latched on to going away to school because it was something people would approve of as a good enough reason to abandon the Coleman clan.”
He wasn’t laid-back anymore but leaning forward, listening intently.
And now she had to run off at the mouth, but whatever. It wouldn’t be the last time she had to explain.
She stared at the fire. “I liked working for the family to some degree. But because it was tough to deal with my dad, even the family who appreciated my skills had to walk on eggshells to make sure they weren’t stepping over boundaries with him or with the other old-timers in the community. Whiskey Creek ranch was filled with so many bad memories that I wanted out. Applying for equine therapy hit all the right buttons to get everybody’s approval. It was horses, and giving, and a fantastic service to others. Part of me feels horrible for not following through, but every time I imagine going, I nearly get sick. And not nervous sick, like a thing that I haven’t experienced before, but physically sick in that I know it’s not right for me.”
“Not right for you now, and maybe not right for you ever. That’s not something you need to apologize for.” Finn said it softly but firmly.
She met his gaze. “New Karen knows that. Old Karen is kind of shaking in her boots and wants to apologize left, right, and center.” She straightened. “But more to the point, I’m not going away. I’m stayinghere. So you don’t have to drop everything or give up your work for my sake. Because I don’t want you to do that either.”
“Oh,ma chérie. You amaze me. And you humble me, and I’m so glad I don’t have to live without you.” A whisper, but so, so sweet. He held open his arms. “You know the routine.”
She crossed the distance between them quickly, carefully resuming her position in his lap.
Finn curled his arms around her, tilting her head to kiss her. Gently this time. Sweet, like a sugary icing on the top of the cake. Then he pressed her head against his chest and sighed softly. Just holding her.
