by Rose Verde
“Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“You were looking at me strangely.” She flushed and lowered her head. Had she been staring? “You'd make a good cowgirl, you know?”
“I don't think so. I'm more an office girl.”
“I bet you'd be good at whatever you set your heart to do, like you are doing now riding and rounding up cows.”
“You’re trying to make me feel good but I know if you leave me by myself, I wouldn't know a thing to do.”
They took a wide berth around the animals to ensure that they went in the right direction.
“I doubt that you wouldn't know what to do. You might just need to hone the skills you knew before. Moreover, no one was born with ranching skills. The best of us learned and I'm not saying this to make you feel good.”
She spared him a glance and he smiled at her. An animal veered off from the track and they had to abandon discussion to tackle it. After that, he rode away towards Mr. Rudolph who had signaled to him.
Would the time ever be right to tell him she loved him? Maybe she should’ve said so yesterday.
“DO YOU THINK THE LEG is broken?” He looked around where the animal had taken a tumble. It must have been a rodent’s hole that softened in the rain.
He leaned down feeling the joint above the fetlock. The leg wasn't broken, maybe sprained.
“Thank you, Mr. Rudolph. We'll get it taken care of. We have a short distance to go, after that you can do some of your bird watching,” Nevada said smiling.
The young man rewarded him with a smile. “I plan to make a scrapbook from this ride. My wife has taken a lot of pictures and we hope to find some rare species here.”
He tipped the brim of his hat toward Nevada and rode away. Nevada let the injured cow join in the trail at a slower pace to reach the pen.
The sun had already dipped behind the trees when they rode to the camp. They soon had a campfire going. By tomorrow, they’d head back to the ranch. He could say this first trip was a success.
Chapter Thirty
TWO DAYS LATER, NEVADA sat in the den updating the ledger. The sound of a vehicle reached him. He frowned. It didn’t sound like the truck Amy and Sam went out in.
Since he was the only one around, he decided to investigate. He got to the door and stopped.
Mr. Dylan’s car sat beside the second ranch truck. Nevada wanted to turn back but Dylan had seen him.
The man’s smile was tentative.
A much older man climbed out of the passenger side.
It definitely wasn’t what he was thinking. Was it?
“Uh, hi.” Dylan said, and then rushed on. “We’d like to see Ms. Jayden.”
He lounged against the door jamb. Amy didn’t go ahead with plans to sell, did she? “She isn’t around. Have you tried her cell?”
“She isn’t answering.”
Nevada remembered he’d heard the phone ring earlier.
“Tell her to call me.”
“What if we take a look around?” the man Dylan had chosen not to introduce asked.
“Why would you do that?” Nevada couldn’t help asking.
“Oh, I’m John Huddleson, the buyer for the ranch.”
Dylan hurried him away.
Nevada shook his head. How had he been so stupid? In his wildest imagination, he and Amy were on the same page.
The ranch truck turned into the driveway just then. He strode into the den, grabbed his Stetson, and walked out. Back in his room at the bunkhouse, he began throwing his stuff into the hold-all bag.
Pressure built in his chest until he saw stars. Nevada growled, kicked off the bag and watched it topple to the ground.
There was a tentative knock at the door which he chose to ignore.
He knew the moment Amy stepped in at the door. He hated the way his heart reacted to her presence and his defenses rose. “Do you know anything about privacy?” he said without turning.
“Nevada.”
He turned and gave her a tight smile. “You finally got what you wanted.” When she opened her mouth, he went on. “You don’t have to justify yourself to me, Amy. I let my emotions run away and you played me for a fool.”
“Will you just listen?”
He grabbed his carry-all and brushed past her.
“What happens to the ranch?”
“I’ll be here until he takes over, for your father’s sake.” Nevada walked out. He wasn’t sure where he’d spend the night: he just needed to be out of there.
He wanted to hear what she had to say, but a part of him knew this was what she’d always wanted. It wasn’t even three months yet.
Her selling was not his problem. The fact that she led him on, when all the while she’d still kept contact with Dylan was really something. He didn’t learn his lesson with Brooke, but Amy had driven his foolishness home.
Nevada walked past the ranch house and headed down the road. He shouldn’t be feeling crushed, but with every step he took farther away from the ranch, the weight of her betrayal lay heavy on his shoulders.
MEL ENTERED THE LIVING room and came to a stop. Amy could feel Mel’s gaze on her but Amy kept her eyes trained on the city skyline.
“It’s been two days since you came back. You want to tell me about the long face?”
“I’m jobless, burned all my bridges.” She smiled amidst the pain that knifed at her heart. So much for trusting her heart to a man who would judge her without as much as a hearing.
“You were only contemplating coming on and off, right?”
“No. I rejected the offer.” She sighed, the feeling that hung on her like a wet blanket pressing down on her shoulders.
“It’s not the reason you’re gloomy.”
“Can we not talk about this?”
Mel sat beside her and held her hand. “Maybe you need to talk about it so you’ll feel better. It’s you and Nevada.”
It was a statement. Amy used her thumb to wipe the tears that came. She nodded.
“Oh, come on.” Mel pulled her into a hug.
“I wasn’t planning to sell anymore.”
Mel put her away, holding her by the shoulders. “What are you saying? It’s about the ranch, right?”
Amy nodded.
“Calm down and tell me what happened.”
She swallowed. “I had a property agent come check the ranch at the beginning. I wasn’t sure what the outcome of my agreement with Nevada would be, so I told him to keep looking for a buyer.”
She wiped her eyes. “I totally forgot to tell him to stop when things started looking up. Dylan showed up two days ago with a buyer. They’d apparently talked with Nevada.”
“Didn’t you try to explain to him?”
“He didn’t want to hear anything. He still believes it’s what I wanted.”
“Did you try again after that?”
She shrugged. “He doesn’t live on the ranch anymore, and he’s refused to answer his phone.”
Mel hugged her again. “I’m so sorry.” After a moment, Mel set her away. “What do you plan to do?”
“I came to pack the rest of my stuff. I’ll go home, figure out how to run the ranch and go from there.”
“That means you won’t sell anymore.”
“No.” She wiped her eyes. “I’ll make the ranch work even if I die trying.”
“Then, maybe you can convince Nevada that both of you are on the same page.”
“He makes himself scarce—”
“You, my friend, are a smart woman. I’m sure you’ll find him if you really want to.”
Amy locked gazes with Mel. It was true. The last couple of days had been an eye opener for her. She wasn’t sure she could convince Nevada but she’d give it a shot. If she failed at least she’d know she tried.
“IT’S BEEN TWO WEEKS, Nevada. If Amy’s planning to sell like you think, where is this buyer?” Angel asked.
Nevada shrugged, broke off a part of the stick he held in his hand and threw it in front of him. �
�She’s gone back to her life. I can imagine she’s just waiting for the three-month mark,” he said bitterly.
It was too dark now to see. They had longer days with dark not falling until almost nine. But that was two hours ago.
He avoided going to bed until late these days to keep from tossing and turning.
Sam had been on his case to get himself back to the ranch. He should’ve been grateful Amy wasn’t around, except that the ranch felt empty without her and he missed her acutely.
“You’ve been looking as though your world has come crumbling down.”
“You’re beginning to sound like Sam.”
“In the mouths of two witnesses.” Angel chuckled.
“Is it that obvious?”
“You’re not much of a talker, I get that, but, these days, you hardly say a word, just work from dawn to dusk.” Angel slapped him on the shoulder. “Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“Don’t even go there.”
“Maybe I should. But, seriously, call Amy.”
“And say what?” Nevada spread his hands.
“You didn’t listen to her before. Maybe you should just call to say you’re checking on her.” Angel shrugged. “It’s just in the off chance that she’d want to talk about it.”
“That’s a long shot. I don’t know if she would want to speak to me now.” His face warmed. “I ignored her calls the first two days and she stopped calling.”
“More reason to be the one to make the move now.”
Nevada scratched his two-week-old beard. There was still the possibility she planned to sell. What happens then?
He wasn’t going to call. No point starting what had no future. They would just be right where they were now. He only hoped she found happiness where she was.
Angel stood and clapped Nevada on the shoulder. “Don’t think too much about it, do it.”
Nevada nodded. But he didn’t plan to follow through. Not because he didn’t want to, but as far as he knew, nothing had changed.
AMY SLIPPED HER FEET out of her pumps. Her bags sat beside her in the kitchen. She was home for good. And it felt right.
Sam was all smiles as she handed Amy a glass of water. “You’re just too full of surprises these days. You could’ve at least warned me you were coming.”
“I’m sorry, Sam. I didn’t want anybody knowing in the off chance that Nevada would hear and disappear.”
Sam sighed. “That one has become a recluse. Even I hardly see him.”
“Do you happen to know where he’d be now?”
Sam searched her face. “He took the horse and rode out. I assume it’s where he always goes.”
“I know the place. I’m just going to change now and then I’ll go find him.”
“I think he misses you, even though he won’t say.”
The butterflies in Amy’s stomach fluttered. Dared she hope?
Sam looked through the window. “We still have a few hours of daylight. But don’t stay out too late.”
“I won’t.” Amy kissed her cheek and ran up to her room to change.
“By the way I love your hair,” Sam shouted after her.
“Thanks.” Amy’s heart beat in anticipation. She glanced at her reflection in the hallway mirror. Her red hair had been cut short and styled to form ringlets around her face. Mel said she looked like a baby angel with a halo. Amy only hoped the do over Mel forced her into was worth it.
By the time she came down, doubt was assailing her.
“You don’t want to miss him. Get going.”
Amy bit her lip and then stepped out of the kitchen. By the time Amy reached the creek, she was covered in a fine sheen of sweat.
Nevada squatted beside the creek, his back to her, but he must’ve heard the sound of her horse.
He turned.
His eyes lit and swiftly dimmed in split seconds. He stood slowly like he was trying to decide whether he was seeing her for real.
Amy slid down from the horse.
For minutes, they stared at each other, Amy’s heart pounding until she feared she’d suffer a cardiac arrest. “I’m back.” Her voice wobbled a little.
He nodded, pushing his hands deep in his pockets. Nevada didn’t keep this much beard. Was that an indication that he felt her absence like she did his?
“You had a good trip?”
“Yes.”
He nodded again. A moment of awkward silence followed.
“What are you doing out here?”
Amy bit her lip. “I came to see you. Look,” she rushed on, “I want you to know how sorry I am about Dylan. I had totally forgotten about him. He wasn’t supposed to show up at all.”
She twisted the reins in her hand and then let them go.
A myriad of emotions flickered across his gaze, each quickly disappearing and replaced by another—surprise, caution, hope...
“What are you saying, Amy?”
She swallowed. “I’m saying I was never planning to sell, haven’t thought of that in weeks. You made me fall in love with you and the land.”
He walked towards her, stopping a few feet away.
“There was no way I’d make all your efforts feel like a waste, after all you’ve done.”
He searched her face.
What was going on in his mind?
“Why would I quit my job and still sell the ranch?”
He looked away and plowed a hand through his hair.
Amy closed the gap. “Nevada, I can’t go back to what I was because you have made me find a new me. Don’t you see that?”
He faced her. “I thought it was what you always wanted...” She shook her head. “I should’ve listened to you. Can you forgive me?”
“I wanted to sell at first, wanted it with every breath. It was like shedding the old skin. But, not anymore. I love you, Nevada Logan. I hope I’m not too late.”
Nevada smiled. “Does that mean you’ve forgiven me?”
“Maybe.”
He chuckled. “What would you want me to do? Ask away. I’ll go to the moon and back if that’s what you want.”
“Shut up and kiss me.”
“That’s pretty easy.” He looked her over. “Your hair.” He touched the ringlet that fell over her forehead.
“You like it?” She smiled tentatively, her face warming. “I did it for you.”
Nevada stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I love it. I love you too, Amy Jayden, and you look amazing.”
He pulled Amy closer. The wild beating of his heart echoed hers against her palm that lay against his chest.
“Amy,” he started and stopped.
Amy waited. If she had to hold on forever to hear what he had to say, she’d gladly do so. “I’m all ears.”
“I don’t want to stop working for you.”
“That’s fine.”
“And you won’t mind dating this employee of yours?”
“Is that a request to go out with you?”
He closed his eyes, a smile on his lips. “Not a cute one, right? I want us to explore us, see how we go from there. What do you say?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you’ll go out with me or yes, it’s not a cute request?”
She giggled. “Both.”
He brushed his lips against hers. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Making me a happy man.”
“No, I should be the one thanking you for saving me.”
She pulled his head down and kissed him.
Epilogue
AMY SLIPPED HER FEET into the cowboy boots. She rose and the huge skirt of her wedding gown pooled around her. She looked through the window of her room across the white snow-covered grounds to the barn that had been transformed into a winter wonderland.
Red and green garland proclaimed, along with the white fairy lights, that this was a double celebration—Christmas and her wedding day.
“You look beautiful, girlfriend. I'm green with envy,” Mel said, wiping her eyes.
“I see the way Angel looks at you and I'm wondering...”
“What?” Her blush said she noticed it too.
“My new foreman has a thing for you.”
Mel ducked and picked up the handmade tiara fashioned like a cute little Stetson and set it on Amy's curls. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
“How are the tables suddenly turned? Months ago, you were the one telling me about Nevada. Time flies, huh?”
It'd been six months since Nevada asked that they explore their relationship. Six months of bliss. Yeah, they still had their moments but she had no doubt in her heart that Nevada loved her.
The door opened. Sam bustled in. Her face, pink from the cold, was wreathed in a smile. “You look amazing, love. Your mom and dad would be proud of you.”
“Thank you.” Her voice wobbled. She wished her parents were here. Angel's dad had agreed to give her away.
Sam clucked her tongue. “Now don't go ruining your makeup. Go meet that young man. And you better treat him well, or you'll have me to deal with.”
Amy laughed. She knew she was bound to give Nevada more trouble than he'd give her with her love for talking...
“Let's go.” Mel held the long train of her gown.
Mel opened the door. Frigid wind blasted Amy’s face, stealing her breath for a moment. As she stepped out of the ranch house and walked towards the huge barn, she couldn't help but thank God for how He'd changed her life in the past year. She remembered her losses, every day, but in all of it she'd been comforted.
She stepped into the barn as the wedding march began. Nevada stood in front of the makeshift altar, all cowboy to the boots, his smile as wide as the bright sky that marked their day. This was one of the best decisions she'd made in her life—marrying Nevada.
“You're beautiful,” he mouthed.
“You look good too.”
She turned and handed over her bouquet to Mel. Her face was bright red. Amy located the source—her foreman and the best man.
Her lips turned up.
Nothing could be better than both of them finding love.
She turned to Nevada and smiled.