Page 36 of A Miracle for the Confident Cowboy

The next couple of days, Sophie was torn between three distinct emotions. Pain from the walls Duke had intentionally placed between them. Frustration that she knew what she wanted and yet it was out of reach. But most of all, fury. Fury at herself for allowing her heart to take the reins this holiday season—allowing herself to fall for a cowboy she had no business loving.

In the end, Sophie had to shove down all the temperamental emotions, leaving only one.

Acceptance.

Duke had been kind in his words. He’d given her an out—all but pushing her to live her dream. She couldn’t even be mad at him for it.

Sophie spent her last day in town, wandering along the main street, lingering at the brightly colored window displays. She paused in front of the pet store, smiling as she recalled the errands she’d taken with Duke.

Everywhere she looked, Christmas was evident. There were more people wandering in and out of shops carrying large bags or wrapped gifts. Carols filtered through the open doors as shoppers exited the buildings, only to grow silent when the doors swung shut. It even smelled like Christmas—but to Sophie, it didn’t feel like it.

Somehow, she’d lost her interest in the holiday. Everything felt bland and grey. She wasn’t even looking forward to the end of the year when she could dive fully into her trip. She’d leave here, visit her folks, then head straight out to Europe for the tour.

Work.

It was all just work and more business.

No more love. No more frivolous daydreaming. No more magic.

She heaved a sigh and continued down the street.

At this point, she wouldn’t have minded seeing a little bit of snowfall. At least then she could say it felt like Christmas. As much as she’d been furious with the snow a few weeks ago, now she found she craved it.

Duke’s face filled her thoughts as the memory of that first snowfall preceded it. Everything about Sweet Bloom made her think about him. She couldn’t get away from it even if she tried. And maybe she deserved it.

A soft mewing sound caught her attention as she passed by the alley beside the pet shop. It was so quiet she nearly thought she’d imagined it. Turning, she peered into the darkened alley, but she didn’t hear the sound again.

Her eyes narrowed and she folded her arms, straining to listen for the sound again. Seconds ticked by, but—nothing. Great, nowshe was imagining things. She turned on her heel and took two steps before she heard the sound again.

Sophie gasped and spun to face the alley. In the far reaches of the alley, in the darkness of the shadows from the dumpster, she saw them just as a car drove past. The light reflected against metal and two little glowing eyes.

The eyes blinked.

Sophie took a step toward the animal and tisked her tongue. The cat mewed once more but didn’t retreat. One step followed by another and then another, until she closed in on the small creature who had found a discarded plastic crate to call its home.

She crouched and held out her hand. “Hey there, little guy. What are you doing out here?”

The cat’s eyes dipped to her hand but it didn’t emerge from its hiding place.

Kissing noises were Sophie’s next go-to. She inched forward and lifted her hand so she could pat the animal’s head. The cat stretched out its neck, its head coming into the light pouring from an old bulb attached to the brick building at her right.

Sophie gasped. This cat was familiar—more than familiar. She would have recognized the animal from miles away after having studied pictures of him that Duke had given her. Gus was grey with a white patch on his nose and matching ones on both of his front paws. His tail flicked back and forth as he moved even farther from the box.

He rubbed up against her leg and a distinct purring sound filled the air around them. Tears sprang to Sophie’s eyes as she wrapped her arms around Gus and brought him to her chest. Shecouldn’t believe it. She’d found Duke’s cat—and in the middle of town, no less. She didn’t know how exactly the animal had found his way to town when the ranch where Duke worked was so far away, but she didn’t need to know.

She’d found him.

Elation filled her whole being. Duke was going to be so excited to see him. Sophie pulled Gus even closer and thankfully he didn’t object like most cats. He was probably just as thrilled as she was that he had been found by someone who wasn’t going to hurt him.

Without a second thought, Sophie cut her trip to town short. She hurried to her car and the second she had Gus secured, she drove the few miles to the Duncan’s ranch. Gus was far more behaved than she would have thought possible as he settled into the passenger seat and eyed her while she drove. “Duke is going to be so happy you’re safe,” she said aloud. “He’s going to…” Her voice trailed off and her skin heated.

What was she about to say? Just because she found Gus didn’t mean anything would change between them. She was all set to leave. Her tickets had been purchased. Her reservations had been made. This wasn’t some grand gesture for her to win him back.

This was a farewell gift.

Her heart sank and by the time she made it to the house, she was just as disappointed in herself as she’d been when they’d had that little chat on her couch.

Sophie clung to Gus with each painful step she took toward the wrangler’s cabin. It was silly, but holding Gus seemed to be exactly what she needed to find comfort this evening. Shehesitated before knocking, realizing that it was past ten. Duke didn’t like to stay up late. And she probably should have waited until morning but she knew he’d want to know right away that his treasured little buddy was okay.

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