Page 28 of Branded By the Cowboy

Even if I’m scared it’s all one-sided.

Maybe the real risk isn’t to the land Angus is trying to protect but to my heart.

Because somewhere between the paperwork and the vows we haven’t spoken yet, I started wanting more than I was ever supposed to ask for.

A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and Ben Sutton stands on the threshold, hat in hand.

Shay touches my arm. “I’ll give you a minute.”

She slips out, and Ben steps in.

“I figured,” he starts, voice low and scratchy, “if you’re marrying my son under my roof, I ought to say something.”

My mouth goes dry. “Okay.”

He shifts in his boots, eyes drifting to the window like he's more comfortable talking to trees than people. “You’re not Ruth.”

I blink. “I—no, sir.”

“And that’s a good thing.” He looks at me then, steady and clear. “You’re not here to replace her. You’re here to build something new. With him.”

Ben clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable with emotional monologues. “He’s a quiet one, my Angus. Always has been. Ruth used to say he was born serious—came out scowling and didn’t stop.”

“I’ve noticed,” I say, and he huffs a breath that might be a laugh.

“But he loves hard. Deep. Won’t say it out loud, not unless you back him into a corner. But if he looks at you like you’re the horizon he never thought he’d see again… you’ll know.”

My chest tightens.

Ben shifts again, thumb tapping absently on the brim of his hat. Then his gaze cuts sideways. “Can I ask you something? You sure about this? It's not too late to run.”

“I’m sure,” I say. “But… can I ask you something too?”

He raises a brow. “Fair’s fair.”

“How did Ruth manage to put all that stuff in the will without you knowing?”

Ben’s face twitches—something between exasperation and pride. “Because she was smarter than me. And sneakier. I thought we were settling the paperwork for the boys’ inheritances. Turns out, she was setting up a matchmaking ambush with a legal contract and three ticking time bombs.”

I laugh, startled. “And you didn’t know?”

“Not ‘til after,” he says. “I opened that envelope and damn near choked on my coffee. But then I read it again, and I knew exactly what she was doing.”

“Which was?”

Ben looks at me, eyes gentling. “She was making damn sure the people she loved wouldn’t go through life alone.” He chuckles. “My Ruth would’ve liked you.”

My throat tightens. “Thank you.”

He tips his head. “Don’t thank me yet. This family turns everything into a competition—chores, chili, who can avoid feelings the longest.”

I grin. “I’ll brace myself.”

Clearing his throat, he glances toward the stairs. “Listen, I know this ain’t traditional. You don’t have people here. But if you let me, I’d be honored to give you away.”

I blink. That does it. The tears sting hot behind my eyes as I nod. “I would love that.”

Ben’s throat bobs as he swallows. “Good. Then let’s go get you married.”

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