Page 36 of Marrying the Billboard Cowboy

She could feel the whisper of his breath, the rise and fall of his chest synchronizing with hers, lulling her into a state where fear seemed distant, nothing more than a memory from another life.

“Zeke,” she murmured, her voice a silken thread pulling them closer in the darkness.

She could imagine mornings waking up to the aroma of his cooking, evenings spent by the fire while Stetson played at their feet. Laughter would fill their home, weaving through the rooms like sunlight through the open windows. And above all, there would be love—steady, enduring, unyielding.

“Zeke,” she began again, her voice steady despite the leap her heart took, “I think I’m ready to trust in this, in what we have. To trust in you. I’m standing on the same cliff. But I’m ready to jump.”

His response was not in words but in the gentle pressure of his lips atop her head, a benediction that sealed her whispered confession. In that moment, Kaitlyn understood that trustwasn’t just about letting go of her fears—it was about embracing hope, about choosing to believe in the promise of tomorrow.

And as sleep beckoned, wrapping its soothing arms around her, Kaitlyn allowed herself to drift, tethered securely to this new reality by the steady heartbeat beneath her ear.

17

Zeke surveyed the back of the side-by-side vehicle, satisfied with the preparations for the evening’s surprise. A basket filled with homemade snacks rested in the back—he’d stolen some time in his mother’s kitchen to prepare them—while a thermos of hot cocoa promised sweetness and warmth under the expansive Colorado sky. A pile of soft blankets lay folded in the back next to the picnic basket.

“Lord, let this go well,” he murmured to himself, a small prayer escaping his lips as his hands worked methodically. He simply wanted to give Kaitlyn a gift, some time to enjoy the ranch without working so darn hard.

She’d slowed down–ever so slightly–since the day he sent her to the spa, but she was still working too hard. Cleaning at the lodge during the day, waking up early to make him breakfast. His tiny cabin had never been so clean. But he didn’t want her to feel like she had to work so hard. He wanted to take care of her. Which was what tonight was about.

Taking a deep breath, the cool air filling his lungs, he straightened up, his shoulders rolling back as he headed toward the main house. The last rays of the setting sun cast longshadows across the landscape, and the crunch of gravel under his boots sounded like a crisp symphony against the relative silence of Redemption Ridge Ranch.

He reached the door and opened it, the anticipation of Kaitlyn’s reaction making his heart beat a little faster. There she stood, her dark eyes wide with curiosity, brown hair framing her face as she wiped down the kitchen counter.

“Did you get Stetson settled?” she asked.

“He’s all set with Christmas movies and snacks with Grandma and Grandpa. Sleepover night is already a winning tradition as far as he’s concerned. I’ve got a little adventure planned for us,” Zeke replied, his tone casual but laced with excitement. “You up for it?”

“An adventure?” She hesitated, a frown creasing her brow. “What kind?”

“Do you trust me?”

Another moment passed before she nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

Victory and warmth surged in his chest at her admission. “Great.” He produced a blindfold from his pocket. “But you need to wear this.”

Kaitlyn cocked an eyebrow, her lips twitching. “A blindfold? Zeke, what are you—”

“Trust me, Kaitlyn.” His eyes crinkled at the corners, the stubble on his jaw catching the fading light. “It’s part of the surprise.”

She studied him for a heartbeat longer, then sighed, a smile finally breaking through. “Okay.”

That trust—it meant more to Zeke than she could know. Carefully, he tied the blindfold over her eyes, ensuring it was snug but not too tight. She reached out, finding his arm, her fingers lightly gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“Let’s go,” he said, guiding her down the steps. They reached the side-by-side, and he helped her into the seat, ensuring she was secure before climbing in beside her.

“Ready?” he asked, his protective instincts kicking in as he started the engine.

“Ready,” she echoed, a tremor of excitement in her voice.

The engine of the side-by-side purred as Zeke navigated the familiar but treacherous terrain of Redemption Ridge Ranch. Every bump and dip in the winding road had him adjusting his speed, his hands firm on the wheel, his eyes scanning ahead with practiced care. The night was a blanket of darkening blue around them, stars beginning to sprinkle the sky. Beside him, Kaitlyn sat with her blindfolded gaze fixed forward, her body tense with anticipation.

“Doing okay?” Zeke asked, his voice steady, despite the thrumming of his heart against his ribs. He stole a glance at her, noting the way she gripped the edge of her seat.

“Better than okay,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of that sass that often caught him off guard. “This is kind of thrilling.”

“Good.” Zeke’s lips quirked up into a half-smile. “Just hold on tight for a little bit longer. We’re almost there.”

Kaitlyn nodded, her dark eyes hidden by the fabric, but he could sense the curiosity that surely sparked behind it. He breathed in deeply, the crisp air filling his lungs, mingling with the faint scent of her shampoo—a reminder of the vulnerable woman who’d come into his life like a whisper and now held a presence as loud as thunder.

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