Page 19 of Pure Bred

She pulls back just enough to look up at me. “I already miss you, too. But we’ll see each other again soon. I promise.”

We share one last kiss before she reluctantly steps away. Every part of me is in anguish as I watch her walk toward her private jet, her hair blowing in the breeze. She turns back once, giving me a small wave before disappearing into the plane.

I remain motionless as the jet’s engines roar to life. My chest tightens as I watch the jet taxi down the runway and take off…

…growing smaller and smaller until it’s just a speck in the sky.

The past month rushes through my mind in a swirl of memories. Having her there at the ranch, kissing her under the stars, laughing until we forgot what we were laughing about in the first place. Spending that time with her ended up being beyond anything I could have imagined when she first showed up.

And I’m hopelessly, irrevocably in love with her.

Part of me wants to believe that we have a real shot at making this work. That we can overcome the distance, her demanding career, the vastly different worlds we live in. But another part of me, the part that’s been burned before, whispers doubts.

How can we possibly bridge the gap between Montana and LA? Between my simple ranch life and her glittering world of fame?

I draw in a long breath, trying to quiet the warring voices in my head. Only time will tell how this plays out. For now, all I can do is hold onto hope.

Sierra: Hey cowboy, you up?

Me: For you? Always. How’d the interview go?

Sierra: Ugh, brutal. The host kept asking about my “love life” and if I’m seeing anyone. At least I’m an expert at dodging questions like that.

Me: That’s my girl. Wish I could’ve been there to glower at him from offstage.

Sierra: Ha! I would’ve paid to see that. How are things at the ranch?

Me: We just got a new mare. Her name’s Rocket. You’d like her.

Sierra: Send me a pic?

Me: Of course. One sec.

Sierra: Aww! She looks like such a sweet old girl. I wish I could be there to meet her in person.

Me: Me too. The ranch isn’t the same without you.

Sierra: I miss you, Logan. So much.

Me: I miss you too, beautiful. Every damn day.

Me: Hey, gorgeous. I just caught your interview on Good Morning America. You killed it.

Sierra: Really? I felt so off. Pretty sure I stumbled over half my words.

Me: Nah, you were great. Charming as always.

Sierra: Thanks. I wish I’d worn a different dress, though. My thighs looked huge.

Me: Sierra, come on. You looked gorgeous. Your thighs are perfect.

Sierra: You’re sweet, but you have to say that.

Me: I don’t have to say anything. It’s the truth.

Sierra: Thank you. I’m sorry to even say stuff like that. The media just gets in my head sometimes.

Me: Fuck the media.

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