Page 32 of Her Second Chance Cowboy

Chris found her as she scanned the gathered faces, distracting her from her search for Cody. He looked as charming as ever in a crisp button-down shirt and jeans. He greeted her with a warm hug. “Emma, this is incredible!” he exclaimed, gesturing to the bustling festival around them. “You’ve really outdone yourself. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store for this place.”

Emma grinned, feeling a rush of affection for her longtime friend. “Thanks, Chris,” she said, squeezing his arm. “I couldn’t have done it without the support of you and your dad, and everyone else here. You’ve all been there for me through thick and thin.”

Chris smiled, his expression softening. “That’s what friends are for, Emma. We’ll always be here for you, no matter what.”

As they chatted, Dr. Hanson approached, looking dapper in a suit and tie. He smiled warmly at Emma, his eyes crinklingat the corners. “Emma, my dear,” he said, his voice filled with affection. “What a wonderful celebration you’ve put together. It’s a testament to your hard work and dedication to this ranch and this community.”

Emma felt a lump rising in her throat, touched by the vet’s kind words. “Thank you, Dr. Hanson,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “That means the world to me, coming from you. You’ve been such a blessing for the animals, always there when we needed you.”

Dr. Hanson chuckled, patting her hand. “It’s been my pleasure, Emma. Though I have to confess, these old bones are starting to object to working with big, surly animals. Never your Daisy, of course.”

“Of course,” Emma said with a chuckle, well aware that Daisy could have as much of an attitude as any horse, when the mood took her.

“But I’m hopeful I won’t have to manage all on my own for much longer.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Oh?”

“I’m hoping that one day soon, my daughter will be ready to take over the practice and carry on the work that I’ve loved so much.”

Emma’s eyes widened in surprise. “Selene? I didn’t know she was interested in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Hanson nodded, a proud smile tugging at his lips. “Oh yes, she’s been working hard at it for years now. She’s off getting some experience at a big stable upstate, looking after their horses, but she’s ready to come back and start taking on more responsibility at the clinic. I’m hoping that one day, when these old bones of mine can’t keep up anymore, she’ll be ready to take over the practice and continue the work we’ve done here.”

Emma’s face lit up, excitement bubbling in her chest. “Dr. Hanson, that’s wonderful news!” she exclaimed, clasping his hands in her own. “I’m so happy for you and Selene. I can’t wait to see her again and hear all about her adventures.”

As they continued to talk, Emma felt a sense of warmth and belonging wash over her. These people, this community, they were more than just friends and neighbors. They were family, bound together by the love and the memories they shared, by the roots they had put down in this place that meant so much to all of them.

Just then, Emma felt a familiar presence beside her and turned to see Cody, his eyes shining with love and admiration. She smiled, her heart skipping a beat as he took her hand in his, lacing their fingers together.

“Hey there, stranger,” she teased, bumping her shoulder against his. “Where have you been? I was starting to think you’d gotten lost.”

Cody chuckled, a mysterious twinkle in his eye. “Oh, I had something I needed to take care of,” he said, his voice low and playful. “But don’t worry, I’m all yours for the rest of the day.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued, but decided not to press him further. Instead, she leaned into his side, reveling in the warmth and strength of his presence.

Together, they made their way through the festival, stopping to chat with friends and neighbors, sampling the delicious food, and taking in the sights and sounds of the celebration. Emma couldn’t help but marvel at the way Cody seemed to fit so seamlessly into her world – or maybe the way she fit into his - and the way he charmed everyone he met with his easy smile and genuine warmth.

As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, painting the sky in a breathtaking array of pinks and oranges, Emma knew that it was time. Time to take the stage, to say the words that hadbeen burning in her heart, to express the gratitude and love that threatened to overflow.

With Cody by her side, she stepped up to the microphone, feeling a hush fall over the crowd as all eyes turned towards her. For a moment, she felt a flicker of nerves, a momentary doubt in her own ability to convey all that she was feeling. But then she felt Cody’s hand on the small of her back, a gentle, reassuring touch, and she felt a sense of calm washing over her.

“Friends, neighbors…family,” she began, her voice ringing out clear and strong across the yard. “I want to thank you all for being here today, for sharing in this incredible moment with me.”

She paused, feeling emotion welling up inside her, threatening to overwhelm her. But she pushed on, determined to say what needed to be said.

“This ranch, this land, this community... it means everything to me. It’s the place where I grew up, where I learned the value of hard work and perseverance, of love and loyalty and compassion. It’s the place where my father poured his heart and soul into every day, building something beautiful and lasting and true.”

Emma’s voice caught, a tear spilling down her cheeks as she struggled to compose herself. But then she felt Cody’s arm wrap around her waist, his presence a steadying force, and she drew strength from his unwavering support.

“When I came back here, after my father passed, I was lost. I was scared and uncertain, unsure of my place in the world, of the path that lay ahead of me. But all of you, each and every one of you, showed me the way. You welcomed me back with open arms, with love and kindness and unwavering support. You helped me to see that this was where I belonged, that this was the life I was meant to live.”

Emma took a deep breath, feeling a sense of clarity and purpose washing over her, a deep and unshakable knowing that this was exactly where she was meant to be.

“And so, today, I want to make a promise to all of you. A promise to honor my father’s legacy, to carry on the work that he began, to build a future for this ranch and this community that is full of hope and possibility and joy. I promise to be a good steward of this land, to care for it and nurture it and pass it on to the next generation with love and respect. And I promise to always, always put the needs of this community first, to be a neighbor and a friend and a partner in all that we do.”

Emma paused, taking a moment to look out over the sea of faces before her, to meet the eyes of the people who had become her family, her heart and soul. She saw Mabel, her eyes shining with tears of pride and joy. She saw Chris and Dr. Hanson, their faces beaming with admiration and respect. She saw Ellie, the little girl who’d started all this by reminding her about the festival, hanging on to her father’s hand with a shy smile on her young face.

And then she turned to her side and her gaze found Cody’s, and the love and support she saw there took her breath away. He nodded, a small, encouraging smile on his lips, and Emma felt a renewed sense of strength and purpose flowing through her.

---