Page 53 of Rancher's Return

“Well. I’m glad you’re home. How about that? And someday, I hope all of you comes home.”

“What does that even mean?”

“It means as long as you keep part of yourself hidden away, you’re not really here. You’re not really living. Enjoy your food.”

And Boone walked away, leaving Buck standing there wishing his brother had just punched him in the face instead.

Chapter Twelve

The next few weeks passed in a level of bliss Marigold wasn’t used to. She spent time with Lily, made plans for her new business expansion, did her job and always found time to make love with Buck while Lily was at school. And it was in those times, those stolen hours, that a part of herself began to grow again. A part that had been stunted, reviving itself in a way that she hadn’t imagined was possible.

She felt lighter. She felt more herself. In touch with all the parts of herself, not just the part that was Lily’s mom. Not just the part that was a businesswoman or a responsible citizen of Lone Rock. She was a woman. And in Buck’s arms, she felt like one. Really. Truly. Wonderfully.

And when Lily came home saying they needed chaperones for the fall festival dance, Marigold felt honored. That her daughter wasn’t embarrassed by her and actually wanted her to attend a school function. That felt amazing. Really and truly wonderful.

So she agreed. And the next day, when she was lying in bed with Buck, she found out that Colton had asked him to chaperone as well. Which meant they were the two primary chaperones of the fall festival dance.

“That’s hilarious,” he said, laying his head back against the pillow, naked and proud and glorious.

“Why?”

“Because it’s so public, while we’re sneaking around. We are not complying with the rules.”

“We are also not teenagers,” she said, swatting him on his broad chest. He really had the best chest. Hairy and muscular and yum.

“Right, right. Can’t wait to stand there next to you, trying to be good and proper.”

The idea sent a thrill through her.

“Yes. And we will be.”

“Maybe I should bring you a corsage.”

He rolled over so he was above her, and she arched up and bit his lower lip. “Maybe you should.”

So when he did, she shouldn’t have been surprised. They drove separately and met outside the school gym. He was dressed in a suit, and the sight made her heart drop into her feet. She was in a sparkly dress that went down to her knees, trying to look fancy, but not like she was trying to look young. Even though she was.

“Your corsage, madam.”

“You’re ridiculous,” she said.

“Am I? Or am I romantic?”

She wasn’t supposed to want him to be romantic. But it made her heart sing. It made everything inside of her lift.

She really did kind of want the romance.

And she didn’t know what to do about that.

They walked into the gym together, and she had the corsage firmly on her wrist. Bright pink roses and baby’s breath. She tried to imagine him actually going into a flower store and buying this, but he must’ve done it.

Colton had brought one for Lily. And she was almost entirely certain that Buck had insisted. She wasn’t really sure if kids gave each other that kind of thing these days generally. But clearly Buck thought it was important.

“Wow,” she said, surveying the scene that could best be described as teen hormones crashing into teen emotions. In other words, a lot of a lot.

“I don’t miss being a teenager,” he said.

Which was somewhat ironic, all things considered.

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