Page 62 of A Rogue Cowboy's Kiss

Sofia grinned. “I’m literally ninety percent terrified of you, Tatum. You’re a world-wide celebrity.”

“Agreed,” chimed in Phoebe. “I’m kind of afraid to talk to you at family events.”

Tatum looked around, and Bella saw the sadness in her eyes. “You guys are afraid of me?”

“I’m not.” Bella stood up, walked across the stone, and sat down next to Tatum. “I was mad at you, but I know you’re the most beautiful soul. I’ve always loved you, Tatum.”

Tatum put her arm around Bella. “Thanks, Bells. I love you, too, and I’m sorry I left.”

“I know.” Bella sighed. “I think part of the reason I was mad at you was because you had the courage to leave and go afteryour dreams, and I just stayed small and sat in the safe space that Brody created for me here on the ranch. It was about me.” She glanced at Tatum. “Still is.”

Tatum rested her hand on Bella’s shoulder. “I’m going to write a song about female friendships,” she said. “As women, we get so busy that we forget to invest in ourselves and in our connection to other women. And I want all of you in my video.

Sofia’s face lit up. “No way! In your video! That’s awesome. Yes!”

“Me, too,” Phoebe said.

“I’m in,” said Meg.

Bella hesitated. She’d worked so hard to stay hidden for so long, but if she were in Tatum’s video, the whole world would see her. Was she ready for that?

Tatum frowned. “Not interested, Bella?”

She took a breath. “I have a stalker. A guy I dated a few years ago. He’s—” She stopped.

“Psychotic,” Meg said. “Creepy. Dangerous. All the things you think of. That’s why Bella stays hidden. So he won’t find her.”

The three women looked startled. “I didn’t know that,” Tatum said. “Why didn’t I know that?”

Bella shrugged. “My brothers scared him off. He’d never come after me here. But when I leave the ranch, he sometimes shows up. He knows where I go.”

“Oh, damn.” Phoebe looked worried. “I know what that’s like. Don’t be in the video.”

Bella looked at Phoebe, who had gone into hiding to avoid her ex. “Is it worth it? To hide?”

Phoebe raised her brows. “I’m glad I’m not dead, so yes, I’d do it again.”

Bella hugged her knees. She was sitting with two women who were so different. Tatum had gone into a life in the spotlight,not hiding. Instead, she had shined her own light so brightly, acquired more than one stalker, and had refused to back down.

Phoebe had gone into hiding for years, cutting off her own family to escape her ex-husband, and then had done it a second time to protect her daughter.

Both women had ended up finding happiness and love. Family. Fulfillment. Careers that made them money and filled them with purpose and joy.

That meant either path could work.

So, what did Bella want to do?

“I want to shine my light,” she said quietly.

“What?” Meg leaned in. “What did you say?”

Bella lifted her chin and looked around at the beautiful group of women surrounding her. “I want to shine my light,” she said louder. “I think that’s what I need. That’s what’s driving me to want to escape the ranch and the kitchen. I just want to no longer hide myself.”

Tatum beamed at her. “Yes! So, you’re in the video?”

Bella nodded. “I’m in.” Screw her stalker. Let him come for her. She wasn’t going to hide anymore.

“Whoohoo!” Tatum held up her arms. “I already thought of a few lines. You guys want to hear them?”

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