Page 149 of The Guy Who Stole My Ranch

We both had one knee on the ground facing each other. I took a breath, gathered my courage, and looked at the most wonderful woman in the world.

Her short, dark hair was back to spiking out everywhere, and she was wearing a T-shirt and overall combination that I would always associate with her. When I met her gaze, I found her waiting for an answer to her inquiry. “Courtney,” I said.

“You brought your sister?”

Without Frank there, I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I propped them on my knee. “She wanted to meet you properly.”

“Why?” Brooke asked.

I didn’t want to talk to Brooke kneeling in the dirt, so I got to my feet and offered her my hand.

Brooke watched me, and her eyes dropped to my outstretched arm.

“I have something to tell you,” I said.

When we’d first met, she would have refused my hand, but now she took it, and I provided a little stability as she stood. I gave her the opportunity to let go, but she didn’t. Instead, she interlaced her fingers with mine.

Relief washed over me like a warm shower after a cold day, and I smiled at her.

“What did you have to tell me?” she asked.

I’d practiced this speech many times in my mind, but now that I had to speak, my tongue felt heavy and my lips numb.

“Is it about the ranch?” Brooke asked.

“Sort of.” I took a breath. “I wanted you to know that I’ve handed over most of the CEO responsibilities for Harris Inc. to Courtney.”

Brooke blinked. “You did what?”

“She enjoys business, and she’s always wanted the job.” I looked around. “I’d rather be here.” Then my gaze landed on Brooke. “With you.”

“With me?” Her eyebrows rose.

I chuckled. “I was serious about needing a manager for the ranch. I was hoping you’d take the job.”

“So you want to work together?” She sounded disappointed.

That was something that I couldn’t allow, so I stepped closer and slipped an arm around her waist. “To start with.”

“Oh yeah?” Her gaze darted from my lips to my eyes and back.

“Yes.” I drew her to me and lowered my forehead to hers. “Brooke, you are amazing. I can’t imagine embarking on this new chapter in my life without you.”

Brooke smirked. “So you need a manager, but you also want to date me?”

“Correct.” I gently turned her around so her back was to me. Her breathing sped up as I whispered in her ear. “You helped me find the man I want to be.”

She leaned into me, and I kissed her shoulder, then the skin just above her collar, then her neck.

“You helped me find the woman I want to be,” she whispered.

“Did I?” I murmured between kisses.

“Yes.”

Before I knew what had happened, she whirled around in my arms, took my face in her hands, and pulled me down to her.

I’d never tire of kissing this woman. There would be a surprise around every corner with her, and I was anxious to explore them all. I’d love to say that I stayed in charge of that kiss, but it would be a lie. Brooke knew what she wanted, and I was grateful that she wanted me.

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