Page 11 of Her Grumpy Cowboy

It’s Saturday afternoon, and Luke and I are on our first official date.

We decided an afternoon date would be best since Luke wanted to be home before Maisey’s bedtime. And when Melody, Wyatt’s girlfriend, offered to take Maisey for mani-pedis, Luke thought it would be the perfect opportunity to steal away for a horseback ride and picnic. Now, we’re out on the trails, sunlight filtering through the canopy of trees.

Luke’s grumpy exterior is nowhere to be found today. He’s relaxed, his posture casual in the saddle as we trot along the narrow path. He’s telling me all sorts of stories about growing up on this ranch, and each one makes me laugh harder than the last.

“Sounds like you two have a lot of fun together,” I say, glancing over at him. “It’s clear you’re doing an amazing job with her.”

Luke’s eyes soften. “I try. Maisey keeps me on my toes, that’s for sure.” He shifts in his saddle, giving me a sidelong look filled with mischief. “Remind me to tell you about the time I tried teaching her to ride. Let’s just say it didn’t go quite as planned.”

I giggle. “Now you’ve got me curious.”

His laugh is a deep sound that vibrates through the air between us. “Well, let’s just say I ended up in the dirt more times than I’d like to admit. She found it hilarious.”

“Poor you!” I tease, unable to suppress my grin.

As we continue riding, the landscape unfolds around us—rolling hills and endless sky. Each step the horse takes brings us closer to something undefined but promising. I steal glances at Luke, wondering what it would feel like to be part of this world he’s created with Maisey—a world filled with love, laughter, and, perhaps, room for someone new.

“I can’t imagine juggling all of this on my own,” I say as we crest a hill, the vast expanse of the ranch stretching out before us. “Running a ranch, raising a kid...”

Luke shrugs, his broad shoulders flexing beneath his worn plaid shirt. “It’s not always easy,” he admits. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Maisey, the ranch, this land. It’s in my blood.”

Something about the way he says it, with such quiet conviction, makes my heart swell.

“Looks like we’re here.” Luke nods toward a cluster of trees atop the next rise. “Best picnic spot on the whole ranch, if I do say so myself.”

We dismount in the shade of a towering oak, the horses nickering softly as Luke tethers them to a low-hanging branch.I take a moment to stretch my legs, wincing at the ache in my thighs. It’s been years since I’ve ridden a horse.

Luke must notice my expression because he’s at my side in an instant, his hand warm on the small of my back. “You all right?” he asks.

“Just a little saddle-sore,” I manage.

Something flashes in Luke’s eyes. “I could give you a massage later,” he offers. “If you’d like.”

My pulse hammers in my throat. “I’d like that,” I whisper.

Luke’s lips curve in a slow, devastating smile. “Then let’s sit down. I packed us a little something special.”

He takes my hand, guiding me toward the sprawling oak tree. The grass beneath is soft and inviting, dotted with golden sunlight filtering through the leaves. Luke reaches into his saddlebag and pulls out a soft, worn quilt, spreading it on the ground with a practiced flick of his wrists.

I sink onto the quilt and Luke settles next to me, his thigh pressed against mine.

“So, how did you and Lindsay become best friends, anyway?” Luke asks, reaching into the picnic basket and pulling out a container of bright red strawberries. He plucks one up and offers it to me, his fingers brushing against my lips as I accept it.

I chew slowly, savoring the sweetness, before answering. “Lindsay and I met at Northwestern,” I begin. “We were both freshmen and stuck in this tiny dorm room. At first, we were just polite strangers sharing space.”

Luke chuckles, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “Can’t imagine you two being strangers.”

“Right?” I laugh too, shaking my head at how quickly that changed. “She had this wild energy about her, always dragging me out of my comfort zone. Before long, we were inseparable.”

“Sounds like you balanced each other out.”

“Exactly,” I nod. “We pushed each other in all the right ways.”

“So, what brought you to Cooper Hills?” His hand settles on my thigh. “This town isn’t exactly bustling with opportunities for a dancer.”

I lean back on my elbows, letting the sun warm my skin. “During my junior year, I had this nasty fall during a rehearsal,” I continue. “Tore up my ankle pretty bad. It changed everything.” My voice wavers slightly, and Luke squeezes my leg gently. “I healed okay. But after that, my chance of being a professional dancer was pretty much out of the question.”

“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” Luke murmurs.

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