Page 88 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

He nodded. “I think you’re on to something.”

“I need a minute.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Take all the time you need.”

I walked down the porch steps and to the path that led to the cottage, taking deep breaths as I went.

Based on the yearbook evidence, my mom was at that high school for at least part of her senior year, if not all of it. No doubt Decker would be able to find out if she’d graduated. Hell, even I could by calling the school myself.

There was a chance she’d met my dad that year and he was Buck’s father, but it seemed unlikely. To the best of my knowledge, he’d never left Colorado.

Combined with the resemblance between my oldest brother and Joe Wilkins Sr., the logical assumption was that he was Buck’s dad.

My mind raced, remembering the physical, mental, and emotional abuse “our” father had inflicted on Buck. We’d all experienced it, but his was by far the worst. Could this be the reason it seemed like Roscoe hated his namesake?

I stomped the snow from my boots, opened the cottage door, and went inside. A minute later, I heard a knock.

“Cord, can I come in?” Juni’s sweet voice was like a balm to my soul.

I rushed over and unlocked the door. The first thing she did when she stepped inside was embrace me. We held each other tight but didn’t speak. There’d be time for words soon enough. Right now, I hoped she felt my love as much as I did hers.

She was the first to drop her arms and shed her jacket, then took my hand and led me to the sofa, where we huddled close. I wanted to pull her onto my lap, brand the skin under her sweater with the heat of my hand, and kiss her. I did none of those things.

“I think Joe Wilkins is Buck’s biological father,” I blurted. Her head was on my shoulder, and I felt her nod. “It all adds up in a way his relationship with my dad never did. Not just that. He was born in December of the same year my mom would’ve graduated.”

Juni raised her head, and our eyes met. “Gray said Buck had to leave yesterday.”

“Yeah, and now, I can’t decide whether that was for the best or if he should’ve been here to piece it together himself. Or at least raise the question.”

“As much as you’re reeling right now, I think it’s better he isn’t here.”

I cupped her cheek. “Reeling is a good word for what I’m feeling, but, Juni, there’s something more important to me than my immediate family’s history. Not something, someone.You.I want to make things right between us.” I rested my forehead against hers. “I should’ve been honest about my feelings yesterday. The truth was I was afraid that if I admitted exactly how much you mean to me, it might freak you out.”

She smiled.

“Instead, I said words that were also true. I do want to be your friend. But I want so much more with you. Sam said that, in her letter, Miss Cenawrote that all the money in the world isn’t as important as being with people you love. I feel that so profoundly right now.Nothingis as important.”

“Cord—”

“Let me say it, Juniper. Don’t stop me.”

Her eyes darted back and forth between mine. When she didn’t speak, I did.

“I love you. I think I have from the first time I saw you. I remember the next day, when you showed me around and I asked you to tell me your faults. It was because you felt so perfect. Not that you seemed that way. It’s how Ifelt. I’ve never met anyone like you, but more, I’ve never loved anyone the way I do you.”

She reached up and put her finger on my lips. “I need to talk now, Cord.”

I nodded, hoping she wasn’t about to let me down easy.

“I love you so much that sometimes it feels like my heart will beat out of my chest. The night they found you out in the storm”—she took a deep breath and blinked away tears—“Sam and I thought you were dead.” Her voice cracked. “All I could think was how I’d never told you I loved you. Then, when they saidyou were alive…God, the relief I felt. But I still didn’t tell you.”

I brushed her lips with mine. “It wasn’t the right time, darlin’.”

“I know,” she whispered.

We sat silently for a few minutes before she spoke again. “Do you think you should check your phone?”

I’d heard it go off at least twice, but I ignored it. When I pulled it out, I saw messages from Decker and Pete. I shoved it in my pocket without reading either of them.

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