Page 39 of The Rancher's Mail-Order Husband

“Ciarán!” Graham called out with a grin.

His husband looked up at the sound of his voice, his eyes lighting up when he saw the dog bounding along beside Graham. “Graham!” Ciarán’s voice was full of warmth, a reflection of the joy in his expression. And then, his face broke into a wide smile as he saw the dog clearly for the first time. “A puppy!” he exclaimed, dropping to his knees and opening his arms wide.

The dog, sensing the invitation, raced toward Ciarán with such speed that it knocked him right over when it reached him. “Oof!” Ciarán’s surprised yelp was drowned out by the dog’s excited barking. The animal’s affection was immediate, and it nearly knocked Ciarán flat on his back as it covered him with licks and nuzzles.

Graham chuckled, watching the scene unfold. His heart warmed at the sight. “I knew he’d love you,” he said softly.

Ciarán struggled to sit up, laughing as the dog continued to shower him with affection. “What’s his name, Graham?” he asked, still grinning.

“None yet,” Graham replied, shaking his head. “He’s your dog, honey. You name him what you want.”

Ciarán’s expression softened, and he began rubbing the dog’s head, showering it with compliments. “What a lovely, handsome boy. Oh, you need a fitting name.” He paused thoughtfully, his fingers running through the dog’s fur as he contemplated. Then, his eyes lit up. “What about… Roisin? How’s that? Will you be my Roisin?”

Graham wasn’t entirely sure where the name came from or what it meant, but he could tell that Ciarán felt a deep connection with the dog. And the dog, with his wagging tail and eager eyes, seemed to agree. Roisin—it was a name full of care, a name that sounded as though it belonged to something or someone precious. The dog immediately preened under Ciarán’s touch, basking in the affection. It was clear that the name was a fitting one.

Graham stood back for a moment, hands in his pockets, watching the two of them interact. He felt a touch of envy—he was used to being the one to receive Ciarán’s attention, but seeing the bond form between his husband and the dog was something special. A different kind of love. He looked around the ranch, admiring how well everything was coming along. The garden was neat, the crops were thriving, and the livestock seemed content, wandering peacefully in the pasture.

A cow lifted her head and stared at Graham, her large brown eyes chewing on what appeared to be a bouquet of flowers. Her contented chewing was accompanied by the occasional swish of her tail.

“What’s that?” Graham asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he stepped closer.

Ciarán looked over at him, puzzled. “What’s what?”

“That,” Graham said, nodding toward the cow. “What she’s eating.”

“Oh. That.” Ciarán’s face flushed slightly as he wiped his hands on his pants. “Well, a lot of people came by today, asking about Liam and offering to help. And Jean Lachapelle came by too.”

Graham raised an eyebrow at the mention of Jean. “And he brought flowers for him?” His voice held an undertone of surprise. Jean hadn’t exactly struck him as the kind of man who would offer flowers.

Ciarán’s blush deepened as he glanced at the ground, his fingers absently playing with Roisin’s fur. “They weren’t for Liam,” he murmured, his voice a little tight.

Graham’s mind quickly pieced things together. “He came here to see you,” he said, his voice calm but steady. He tried to keep the edge out of his tone, but a flicker of anger sparked within him.

Ciarán nodded reluctantly. “He did ask about Liam, about whether he’d woken up or if he’d seen the thief. At first, I thought the flowers were for Liam, but Jean said they were for me—an apology for how he acted in town. I said I’d accept the apology, but I didn’t think it was right to accept the flowers. But he insisted.” Ciarán’s expression darkened slightly. “He also wanted me to show him around the ranch. He said a few things, but I told him I was too busy. So, he just wandered around by himself. When he left, I threw the flowers to the cows.”

Graham’s jaw tightened. He wasn’t angry with Ciarán, not at all. But the thought of Jean Lachapelle showing up here—using Liam’s injury as an excuse to get close to his husband—made his blood boil. “All right,” Graham said, trying to keep his voice level. “All right, then.”

Ciarán looked up at him, concern etched across his face. “Are you angry?”

“At you?” Graham shook his head firmly. “No. Never. But if there’s a next time, I’ll be here. The dog and I will be right by your side.”

Ciarán’s face softened at his words, and the mood lightened a bit. Graham smiled and clapped his hands together, changing the subject. “So, you like him then? R-Roisin?”

Ciarán’s face lit up again, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Roisin. I love him. Thank you, Graham.”

???

The chores had been completed remarkably early that day, leaving Graham with an unexpected sense of free time before Ronan would return to be with Liam. He had no immediate tasks on his mind and decided to make the most of the quiet moment. When he found Ciarán in the garden, wipinghis hands on a cloth, Graham called out to him, inviting him for a walk across the prairie.

“Want to take a stroll with me? There’s time before Ronan gets back,” Graham said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Ciarán looked up and smiled, his warm, brown eyes sparkling in the late afternoon light. “I’d love to,” he said, setting the cloth aside and reaching out for Graham’s hand. They wandered away from the house, leaving behind the familiar comforts of the ranch for the sprawling fields beyond.

The day was still warm, with a gentle breeze ruffling the tall grasses that swayed beneath their feet. The air was thick with the scent of earth and new growth, and the prairie seemed endless, stretching out before them in a patchwork of green and gold. The wildflowers that dotted the landscape were a vivid contrast against the vastness of the fields, bright spots of color that created an impression of tranquility.

But the flowers weren’t the main attraction. As they walked side by side, arms gently brushing against each other, their conversation turned to the events of the day. Graham began recounting the events at the ranch, the unexpected arrival of the neighbors, and how Clodagh’s family had come to offer help.

“Everyone came to help out,” he explained, his voice carrying a sense of warmth. “Clodagh and the others worked all day. They wanted to make sure we had everything we needed, with Liam down and out.”

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