by Natalie Dean
“Am I missing something, doc?”
“You’ve been episode free for six months. That’s a record for you.”
Bart blinked at him for a couple of moments, his mind trying to see if that was accurate. Sure enough, the last time he had an episode was three weeks or so after he and Missy started going steady. He’d gotten close a few times, but he didn’t feel that same forlorn despair that let him slip into the dark so easily.
“Huh. So it is.”
“I think that’s something to celebrate. You’ve made some miraculous progress in your healing. It’s just important to remember that when—and I mean when not if—an episode happens again, to pick yourself up and keep going for a new record.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m aware. I won’t get too big for my britches. Besides, I have plenty of other stuff to worry about.”
“Indeed, you do. Are you ready for all of that? You’re taking some very big steps. Bart. Steps you once told me you thought you’d never be able to take.”
“Yeah, guess I was wrong. I’m wrong about a lot of things.”
“So are most people.” He smiled and stood, setting his notebook on his desk. “I think we’re good on not meeting until after the new year. I’m proud of you, Bart. I’m excited to see where your life is taking you.”
“You and me both,” Bart agreed with a wry grin, standing as well and shaking his hand. “I’ll see you next year.”
His therapist walked him out of the office where his brother was already waiting with his truck. Bart slid into the passenger seat, his stomach flopping around.
“Is everything in place?” Bart asked.
“Yup. Everyone’s heading toward the restaurant. Just waiting for us.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Get us to the city.”
“Impatient much?” Ben asked, laughing lightly as he put the car into gear.
“What can I say? When Ma calls a lunch for the whole family, you make sure you get there in a reasonable time.”
“Sure,” Ben said, rolling his eyes but smiling nonetheless, and they headed out.
And while he didn’t speed too badly, Ben put the pedal a little bit to the metal as they rushed toward the city. They were headed toward a very special restaurant, one that his Ma had insisted would be perfect for the day.
They arrived only a bit after everyone else, which was just what he hoped. Crossing over to his seat next to Missy, he sat down with a sigh.
“How was the doctor’s?” Missy asked after pressing a gentle kiss to the side of his cheek.
He wanted to answer, but like usual, she took his breath away. Her hair had grown even longer in the little over half-year that they had started dating, and she had the blond tresses piled atop her head like a crown. She was wearing that stylized eyeliner that drove him up the wall in the best way and red lipstick.
Goodness, as if he didn’t have a hard enough time looking away from her full lips as it was. It was like she was purposefully attempting to try him, and he absolutely loved it.
“Fine,” he answered, catching her chin to turn her face toward his and plant a quick kiss right on those perfect lips of hers.
She pulled away, chuckling slightly. “As verbose as ever, I see.”
“Of course.”
Rolling her eyes, she returned to whatever conversation she was having with the cousin next to her, leaving Bart to fidget while menus were passed around and orders were decided.
Thankfully, with all of his family and friends and everyone surrounding him, it was easy to get caught up in the comfort and happiness of the crowd, rather than being overwhelmed by the sights and the sounds.
Missy’s hand slid into his as they ordered, two waiters taking care of their whole family. They were at a Greek place, which Missy was excited about considering she had an ardent love of baklava, so he went basic with a gyro and lots of tzatziki sauce.
But it wasn’t the food on his mind really. Not even hardly.
After the meals arrived, they enjoyed a fun family dinner full of lively conversation.
“How about we all have some dessert?” Ben suggested after most everyone was done eating.
Bart’s stomach flipped. “Yeah, dessert sounds good.”
The waiters returned, and after some hemming and hawing, everyone started to pick out what they wanted.
Except for Missy. She seemed to be stuck.
“What’s the dilemma?” Bart asked, looking over her shoulder to look at the dessert menu. When they had first gone out, he remembered that she would rarely order anything after a meal, stating she didn’t want to be greedy. It had taken at least a month to convince her that it was perfectly normal to order a dessert and that he was more than happy to treat her.
In fact, treating her was often one of the things he looked forward to most.
“I dunno. I kinda want the cheesecake, but I kind of want the chocolate orb.”
“Chocolate orb?” he asked, trying to sound normal. “What’s that?”
“It’s this thing where it’s like a sphere, and you pour a heated sauce over it, and it melts to reveal a dessert.”
Huh. That was pretty lucky. “That sounds nice. You should get that.”
“You think so?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Thanks, babe.” She pressed another kiss to his cheek, and it tugged at his heart like it did every other time.
She put in her order, and Bart found each minute ticking by at a snail’s pace. It was hard for his palms not to sweat in her grip, and he pulled his hand from her gently. If she thought anything of it, she didn’t say, just continued laughing with Chastity and a couple of his cousins.
But of course, his eyes never left her the whole time. He took in everything about her, once more trying to burn every single detail of these moments into his mind for all eternity. The elegant curve of her neck, the strong line of her shoulders, the bright light in her eyes that everyone seemed to fall in love with.
Ma said that Missy had blossomed since they had gotten together, but Bart knew what it really was. Missy had always been an exemplary, enchanting woman, she just trusted so few people that she never really let anyone see the real her.
He could not be more grateful that—for some reason that was still beyond him—she had chosen to show that side of her to him.
To think, it had all started with sleepwalking, and now he was sure he was staring at the love of his life.
The waiters joined them once again, this time with two more workers to help them, and everybody cheered. But Bart couldn’t quite get the noise to come out of his throat, and he found himself continuing to stare at the beautiful woman that he could never truly deserve but would spend all of his life trying to.
“What?” she asked, blushing a bit as she caught his stare. She tucked a bit of hair behind her ear as the pink traveled down her face and into her neck. “Do I have something in my teeth?”
“No,” he answered as levelly as he could. “You’re beautiful.”
She was so adorable when she was flustered, and the way she looked down at the table while her blush deepened took away some of his nerves.
The waiters served her last—of course—placing the orb in front of her with a bit of dramatic relish. “And for the lady,” he said before pouring the hot chocolate sauce over the beautiful sphere. Of course, everyone fell silent, knowing what was waiting for her, what Bart had been planning since two months into their relationship.
Bit by bit it melted, revealing a truly decadent piece of cake underneath. But Missy didn’t seem to see the confection at all, her eyes instead homing in on the small, plastic orb sitting on top of it.
“Is… is that a ring box I see in there?” she whispered, her voice barely audible even from where he was sitting.
“I don’t know,” he whispered right back. “Why don’t you open it and see?”
Her hands were shaking as she reached for it, pulling the orb off the cake and pressing the button in the center t
o pop it open. Not minding the chocolate on her fingertips, she took out the velvet box and cautiously opened it.
“Oh my, Bart!”
Tears were already springing into her eyes, and Bart gently took the ring from her grip, his other hand pulling one of hers toward him. The ring was a simple band, with one sparkling diamond, and a loving inscription inside. The band was made from platinum because she’d told him how much she hated gold. The inscription was short, but simple, and had been the same words her father had said to her mother on their own wedding day.
“It’s perfect,” Missy said, her voice cracking.
Bart pushed away from the table and got down on one knee, heart thumping again.
“Melissa Dominic,” he said. He saw her breath hitch, and her whole upper body started to shake. He wanted to reach up and comfort her, to tell her that everything was all right, but he had to get the words out before he chickened out.
“You are the most perfect woman I have ever met, and every single day, I learn a little bit more of just how wonderful you are. You are caring, strong, kind-hearted, patient and a precious jewel. I love bringing a smile to your lips and joy to your eyes. I love treating you as you deserve.
“I can’t imagine what my life would be like if you hadn’t found me on that hill, cold and alone. But then you were there, risking everything for someone you didn’t know. Caring like only you would. You were crazy.” Everyone laughed at that. “But exactly the kind of crazy I needed.
“When you took my hand, neither of us knew it, but our lives changed forever. You’ve helped me grow, heal and become a better man. You’ve shown me there’s so much more to look forward to, more possibilities than I could have ever hoped for.
“And if just these six months could be so amazing, then I can’t wait to see what the rest of our lives can bring us.”
He took a deep breath. This was it. The fateful words.
“Melissa Dominic, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”
“Yes! Yes! Oh, my God, yes!” She flung herself forward, her arms going around his shoulders and her lips crashing to his. It was only his upper strength that kept the two of them from pitching backward, so he held her as her lips pressed everything she felt into him.
He returned it with all the passion he had, devouring her like he wanted to, never taking for granted all the feelings of love and desire and safety she caused in him.
Who knows how long they would have kept at it, but eventually someone cleared their throat, prompting Bart to pull away.
“Right. I guess there’s one more thing to do.”
He took her hand in his own, and with his other, he slid the ring onto the appropriate finger. “For now, and forever,” he said, his heart swelling.
“For now, and forever,” she repeated, leaning down to kiss him once more.
This time it was soft and slow, tender promises of all the beautiful things they had in store for each other. Bart felt Missy’s tears spill a bit onto his own cheeks, but he didn’t mind. His own eyes were beginning to get a little wet as well. It was like the future had suddenly opened up to him in that kiss, and all he saw was the amazing things that they would experience together. Their first Christmas. Planning the wedding. A kid, maybe two. Whatever it was, he couldn’t wait.
“Here’s to the happy couple!” Ben toasted.
Bart realized that he had his happy ending after all.
“I love you,” Missy said, breaking the kiss once more to rest her forehead against his.
“And I love you,” Bart said, meaning it more than he had ever meant anything in his entire life.
They held each other for quite a few moments, clinging to each other with more love and desire than they’d ever had.
And Bart knew, with no uncertainty, that he would continue to love her for the rest of his life.
I hope you enjoyed Saving her Cowboy! I’m happy to announce that Her Rival Cowboy, Brothers of Miller Ranch Book Three is now ready! Early reviews are coming in good! So head on over and check out Benji and Danielle’s story: Her Rival Cowboy
Her Rival Cowboy
Brothers of Miller Ranch Book Three
Book Description
She thinks he’s just the arrogant, rich cowboy from the rival ranch down the road. He’s out to prove her wrong…
Born smack-dab in the middle of his more successful siblings, Benji Miller finds himself wondering where his place is on his family’s wealthy ranch. It’s hard to stand out when he has five brothers that just so happen to include the Leader, the Veteran, the Genius, and the Playboy. Benji’s only claim to fame is that he’s really good at fixing things.
But that talent comes to the forefront when Benji’s Ma asks him to help a neighbor in need. Neighbors who just so happen to own the rival Touhey Ranch.
Neighbors who also just so happen to have a beautiful spitfire of a daughter named Danielle—who seems to hate his guts for no good reason.
Danielle can’t figure the handsome Benji out. Usually people just like to make fun of her for being a tomboy who just wants to care for the animals on the farm. She figures there must be something up with him showing all this interest in her.
After repeated attempts at trying to get Danielle to show a little kindness, she stills treats Benji like he’s the worst person on earth. Now Benji must decide if he wants to look past her attitude to do the right thing, or let her sour disposition chase him off…
1
Danielle
A terrifying, splintering sound roused Danielle from her sleep. She blinked blearily, rolling onto her side to turn on the lamp by her bed, only to realize that her room was far more illuminated than it had any right to be in the dead of night.
Red, orange, and yellow flickered across her vision, almost pretty until she realized exactly what those colors meant.
“FIRE!”
She vaulted out of bed, grabbing the dressing robe hanging nearby and throwing open her bedroom door.
“Fire!” she cried, running to her brothers’ room and banging as hard as she could. She didn’t even wait to see if they heard; she was off and racing to her parents’ master bedroom.
More pounding on the door. It wasn’t like Danielle had much of a plan or any idea what to do. All she knew was that there was something on fire, and if she could see it from the window of her second-story room, then it was something big.
“What? Dani, what did you say?” came Papa’s groggy voice through the door.
“Call the fire department!” she said before rushing down the stairs.
Dani had never been much for speed. She could plod on forever, her dogged determination rarely ever running out, but she wasn’t who one would look to for a sprint.
But she was sprinting then, flying out the door and to the side of the house where their two biggest barns were.
Were being the key word. Because where there had once been two pretty buildings, all she saw were flames.
“The animals!” she cried, rushing forward. In the back of her mind perhaps she knew that running toward a fire was crazy, but how could she leave living creatures to burn?
While her family’s setup was no Miller Ranch, whose whole advertising was how happy and well-treated their animals were, the Touheys had also rejected the cruel, merciless strategies of modern livestock. Of course, that meant they had to keep themselves small-scale until they were able to build more of a brand. As only a second-generation ranch family, that brand had a long way to go.
Although currently, the brand was going up in flames in front of her.
She reached the doors and quickly flipped the small wooden latch that kept it closed. It was hot to the touch and she let out a yelp, yanking her hand away.
The pain, however, was quickly forgotten as she heard the panicked screams and yelps from inside. There were few things worse than the sound of a terrified, trapped animal, and what she was hearing was multiplied tenfold.
Grabbing the bottom of her old sleep shirt and ripp
ing as hard as she could, she managed to tear off a thick strip. She wrapped it around her still-smarting hand and tried again.
This time she managed to keep her grip and finished shoving the latch upward before yanking the door open. Smoke billowed out in a thick cloud, and she barely had time to catch the sound of hooves thundering toward her before the door burst the rest of the way open and several horses came charging out.
Dani dove to the side, toppling over a bench as the normally graceful and friendly animals peeled out like speed demons. She wished they would stop, so she could check their wounds and whisper comforting things to them, but she knew there wasn’t a chance that would happen.
She stumbled to her feet, panting, but not nearly enough animals raced by. While her family wasn’t wealthy enough to have more than a horse each, they did offer a service where they housed and stabled the horses of rich folk from the city. Although they were insured, Dani couldn’t imagine having to tell anyone that their beloved animal had perished in one of the most painful ways to go.
Pulling the fabric from her hand, she tied it around her nose and mouth. Rushing forward again, she stumbled through the smoke.
It was hot, so hot, and loud. Why had no one ever taught her how loud a fire was? The flames surged around her, crackling as they hungrily devoured what they could. Violent little fingers of scarlet and viridian, they greedily tried to consume everything.
There, in the back, she heard panicked whinnying and bleating. That was where they kept the smaller, shyer horses who preferred the quiet, and the goats.
The goats!
While the Touhey Ranch had all the classic staples, their real income bringer, what their whole brand was based on, was their happy little goats.
There were the videos online of them playing about and vaulting off the various structures her brothers had built for them out of extra items from around the ranch. There was also the goat cheese, the goat milk. Even goat milk soap! Last year her parents had managed to land a distributing contract with a small chain of organic stores, and the profit from that had significantly helped them pay down almost all of their debts.