Page 88 of The Cowgirl's Secret Love
“When do we have to be operational?” Karen asked.
That was nice, the way she so easily accepted she was part of this.
“Thanksgiving.”
She uttered a particularly foul curse, and both he and Zach blinked.
“Seriously, guys? You’ve heard me swear before.”
Zach leaned forward and spoke softly. “I was just admiring the complete conviction with which you said it.”
She folded her arms over her chest and glared. “Back to the point, why on earth would you agree to that kind of a deadline? I mean, it’s not impossible, but rushing doesn’t seem the way you guys like to do things.”
The little tidbit about losing everything to Brandon got another burst of sailor-worthy salty language.
Zach’s grin grew bigger by the minute. “I really like you,” he told Karen.
“Stop flirting with my woman and get your own,” Finn grumbled, but he agreed one hundred percent.
“No way in hell is Brandon getting our ranch,” Karen said.
“That’s what I said.” Finn squeezed her fingers. “So. Load the cannons and full speed ahead. Nobody else knows about the deadline, but by Thanksgiving, we need to be ready to impress the socks off Alan and his family.”
“Nothing we can’t handle.” Karen’s phone went off, and she wrinkled her nose. “Sorry. That’s my dad. After skipping dinner the other night, I should take it.”
She slid from the table and went out on the deck, leaving Finn and Zach alone.
His best friend let out a heavy sigh. “It’s always so emotional when the fledglings leave the nest.”
“Shut up,” Finn muttered.
Zach leaned forward, honest pleasure spilling across his face. “I’m happy for you. I mean, I’m happy for what I think you’re telling me, which hopefully is that you finally fessed up and told the woman you couldn’t live without her.”
“Something like that,” Finn said.
Zach paused, looking thoughtful. “I thought Red Boot ranch was just another step along the way. Another project before you moved on again. I mean, I’m glad it’s not, but it seems like a big change. Sounds as if you’re planning to make this home.”
Well, hell. Finn’s brain had been so full of everything else that this little detail hadn’t quite registered. Yet, damn if Zach wasn’t right.
But when Finn thought about it,reallythought about it, that sense of belonging in this community had been growing over the past months.
It wasn’t just about finding a place for Karen but a place where he felt at home as well. A place for the two of them to grow together. That was kind of—unexpected.
Perfect, really.
“It’s been building for a while,” Finn admitted.
“It’s been clear you missed the ranch,” Zach shared. “Finding a new home makes sense. Where you grew up isn’t a place you can ever go back to.”
“It’s not the idyllic, safe place I thought it was,” Finn added in agreement. He glanced out over the land, all the way to where the Rockies rose to the heavens. The summer day was full of beauty and happiness. “I need to build some new memories, and this place has got the potential.”
That got a laugh out of his friend. “And Bruce would tell you that potential is the most important thing to see.” Zach spoke softer, gesturing toward Karen standing out on the deck, one hand driven into her hair. “That’s a memory that needed to become more. I’m glad you’ve got her back.”
Finn watched Karen carefully, the feeling in his heart big enough to push against his ribs. “She’s the very top of my list,” he told Zach. “Everything else got moved down.”
“Including me,” Zach returned firmly. “I’ve got zero problem with that. It’s exactly how it should be.”
Damn if Finn didn’t have everything he needed in his world. A beautiful woman who said she loved him, and a best friend who understood him to his core.
