Page 26 of Her Second Chance Cowboy

“Alexander called,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’s giving me until the end of the week to make a decision about the offer. And I... I don’t know what to do, Cody. I feel like I’m being torn in two, like no matter what I choose, I’m going to end up losing something precious, something irreplaceable.”

Cody’s face softened with understanding, and he reached out to take her hand, his callused fingers warm and reassuring against her skin.

“I know it’s not an easy decision,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet empathy. “And I wish I could tell you what to do, could make the choice for you. But Emma, this is your life, your future. And as much as I... as much as I care about you, as much as I want you to stay, I know that you have to do what’s right for you, what feels true and authentic to who you are and what you want.”

Emma nodded, her throat tight with emotion as she looked up at him, at the man who had become her anchor, her safe harbor in the storm of uncertainty that had engulfed her life.

“But what if I make the wrong choice?” she whispered, her voice cracking with the weight of her fears. “I don’t want to let everyone down… and I don’t want to lose you.”

Cody’s hand tightened around hers, and he took a step closer, his eyes filled with a fierce intensity that took her breath away.

“You could never lose me, Emma,” he said, his voice low and rough with emotion. “No matter what happens, no matter where you go or what you choose, I will always be here for you, always be your friend and your partner in whatever way you need me to be. Because that’s what you do when you... when you care about someone the way I care about you.”

Emma felt a sob catching in her throat, and she leaned into him, burying her face in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and murmuring words of comfort and reassurance.

And as she stood there, surrounded by the warmth and strength of his embrace, Emma knew that no matter what the future held, no matter what challenges or obstacles lay ahead, she would always have this moment, this memory of what it felt like to be truly, deeply loved.

Even if she couldn’t quite find the words to say it out loud, even if the path forward was still shrouded in uncertainty and doubt.

Because in the end, that was what mattered most. Not the ranch, not the offer, not even the life she had built for herself in the city.

But the love and the connection and the sense of belonging that she had found here, in this place, with this man.

And as long as she held onto that, as long as she let it guide her and sustain her through the difficult days ahead, Emma knew that she would find her way, one step at a time. No matter where the journey might lead her in the end.

Chapter Fifteen

The newly finishedbarn was filled with the soft snuffles and whickers of the horses as Emma made her way down the aisle, checking on Ghost and Daisy to make sure they were settled for the night. It had been a long day of work and worry, with the deadline for the buyer’s offer looming ever closer, but here in the quiet of the barn, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of the animals she loved, Emma felt a sense of peace and belonging that she had never known before.

She was just about to head back to the house when she heard the sound of hooves clopping up the driveway, and a moment later, Cody appeared in the doorway, a crooked grin on his face as he leaned against the frame.

“Hey there, city girl,” he said, his voice low and teasing. “What are you doing out here so late?”

Emma raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “I could ask you the same thing,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Don’t you have a ranch of your own to run?”

Cody’s grin widened, and he pushed off the doorframe, sauntering over to where she stood. “I do,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “But I had a better idea for how to spend my evening. How would you and Ghost like to join me and Scout for a little camping trip?”

Emma’s heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat at the unexpected invitation. “Camping?” she said, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and hesitation. “I don’t know, Cody. I have a big day tomorrow, and I should probably get some rest…”

Cody’s expression softened, his hand coming up to brush a stray lock of hair from her face.

“I know,” he said, his voice gentle and understanding. “I know tomorrow is the day you have to make your final decision on the buyer’s offer, and I can’t even imagine how stressful that must be. But that’s exactly why I think you deserve a night off, a chance to forget about all the pressure and just enjoy the beauty of this place, the magic of a night under the stars.”

Emma felt her resistance melting away, her heart swelling with a rush of affection and gratitude for the man standing before her. How did he always seem to know exactly what she needed, exactly what would bring her joy and comfort in even the darkest of moments?

“That does sound pretty amazing,” she said, a slow smile spreading across her face. “But don’t we need a tent and some supplies for a camping trip?”

Cody’s grin turned positively wicked, his eyes dancing with a playful light that made her heart race. “Oh, I’ve got that all taken care of,” he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. “I may have already set up a little campsite for us.”

Emma’s jaw dropped, her eyes widening in surprise and delight. “Oh you did, did you?” she said, a laugh bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her. “You seem pretty confident that I’m going to say yes, Mr. Hawthorne.”

Cody’s expression turned serious, almost vulnerable, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that took her breath away. “Are you?”

She swallowed, searching his face for she didn’t know what.

“Am I right to be confident, Emma?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Will you come with me tonight, let me show you the magic and the beauty of this place in a whole new way?”

And as she looked into Cody’s eyes, saw the longing and the hope shining there, she knew that there was only one answer she could give.

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