Page 26 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, soothing yet somehow igniting a flame of hope within her chest. It was the reassurance she didn’t know she needed, the solidity of his promise chipping away at the walls she’d built around herself.

“Zeke, I can’t just sit around,” she protested softly, her pride warring with the gratitude that swelled in her heart. “I need to do something to help.” And she really did need the money. Somehow, she had to be prepared.

He shook his head, the stubble on his jaw catching the light as he did so. “You’re working yourself into the ground, Kaitlyn. At the house, the lodge, now here with the animals. It’s too much.” His gaze held a fierce protectiveness that made her pulse quicken.

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Her defenses crumbled under his unwavering gaze, leaving her exposed and uncertain.

“You can get a job. I’ll talk to Ashley at the lodge. But you’ll work areasonablenumber of hours. And for crying out loud, woman. Stop mopping the cabin every day.”

She giggled. Actually giggled, like a teenager instead of a grown woman. If she had any question about the power Zeke was gaining over her, that confirmed it.

“One more thing. You’re done for today.” He grabbed the pitchfork from her hand.

Her mouth fell open. “What am I supposed to do?”

“You’re going to the spa,” he said firmly. “Redemption Spa is on the ranch, right up the road. You’re going to go get… pampered or whatever.” The word sounded foreign on his lips.

She blinked, sure a bug would fly into her gaping mouth. “Spa?”

“Yep,” he confirmed with a nod. “Massage, haircut, whatever you need. It’s about time you started enjoying some of the perks of living here.”

The idea of indulging in such a way felt foreign, almost frivolous, but the earnestness in his eyes convinced her to at least consider it. What could it hurt? And if herhusbandwas insisting? “All right,” she conceded, the word feeling strange on her lips.

“Good,” Zeke smiled, his relief evident. “I’ll take care of things here. Go on, enjoy yourself.”

With one last lingering look, Kaitlyn peeled off her gloves and headed toward the spa, the scent of horses and hay giving way to the fragrant aroma of essential oils and herbs as she pushed open the door to the sanctuary Zeke had sent her to.

Inside, the atmosphere was serene, a stark contrast to the bustling activity of the ranch. Soft music played in the background, and Kaitlyn felt the tension in her shoulders ease as she was greeted by the spa attendant.

“Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Reynolds just called and let us know you’d be coming.” The attendant’s smile was warm. “Let’s start with a facial to rejuvenate your skin, followed by a haircut to freshen up your look. How does that sound?”

“That sounds… wonderful,” Kaitlyn admitted, finally allowing herself to sink into the comfort being offered.

As skilled hands worked over her face, smoothing away the signs of stress and sleepless nights, Kaitlyn let her mind drift. The sensation of being cared for, not just by the spa staff but by Zeke, was completely unfamiliar. And if she allowed it, she was afraid it would be far too easy to get used to.

Later, as she caught sight of herself in the mirror, her brown hair falling in soft layers framing her face, she hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. Gone were the harsh lines of worry, replaced by a glow that came from more than just the skillful application of creams and scissors.

For the first time in a long while, Kaitlyn allowed herself to bask in the feeling of being cherished.

That evening, Kaitlyn walked into the church hall, the scent of turkey filling the air. Rows of tables were lined with volunteers assembling Thanksgiving meals. Cans of cranberry sauce clinked together as they were nestled next to packets ofstuffing mix and boxes of instant mashed potatoes. Zeke was already there, folding cardboard boxes with practiced ease.

“Looks like we’re on green bean duty,” he said, nodding toward a stack of cans and a pile of plastic bags waiting to be filled.

“Green beans,” Kaitlyn repeated, her voice soft but steady. She grabbed a can, feeling the cool metal against her skin and the satisfying weight of it in her hand.

As she slipped the cans into the bags, Kaitlyn couldn’t help but flash back to days in Denver when she and Stetson would queue up at places just like this. Her hand trembled slightly, the memory of taking a box of groceries from a stranger still vivid in her mind.

“Everything all right, Katie?” Zeke’s voice pulled her back to the present, his eyes searching hers with a hint of concern.

“Y-yes, just thinking about how much things have changed,” she answered, forcing a small smile.

Zeke reached over and squeezed her hand briefly, a silent message of support. “Change for the better?”

“Definitely for the better,” she replied. Here she was, not just receiving, but giving. It was a role reversal that made her soul sing, even as it grappled with the unfamiliar weight of abundance.

The church was filled with people from the community, doing their small part to help their neighbors. Kaitlyn had already been introduced to the entire Taylor family. Clint was frying the turkeys and his sister, Caroline, had brought boxes and boxes of desserts from her bakery.

Kaitlyn thought she might have even made a new friend in a woman named Nora. The nurse seemed so grounded and confident that Kaitlyn had a bit of imposter syndrome when she realized they were the same age. Their lives were so different.

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