Page 52 of Branded By the Cowboy

By the time the room quiets and they settle in, the panic has passed. The machines beep steady and soft, and the fluorescent lights hum above as the world returns to normal speed.

“You guys head home. I’ll stay with Shay,” he says as he comforts his wife.

I nod and squeeze his shoulder on my way out, but not before glancing once more at Shay—tucked into the narrow hospital bed, IV in her arm, Henry curled up awkwardly in the visitor chair as he keeps vigil.

Outside, the night is cold and quiet. Sleet slicks the pavement. The trucks are still parked where we left them.

Dad scrubs a hand down his face. “Five months along and already keeping us on our toes.”

“Yeah. Thank God they’re both okay.” Tom says as he and Dad climb into their truck. His gaze flicks to Luna and me. “We’ll see you back at the ranch.”

I help Luna into the truck before sliding behind the wheel. I don’t start the engine right away. I place my hands and watch Dad and Tom’s taillights disappearing into the night.

Luna’s voice is soft. “That scared me.”

“Yeah,” I say. “Me too.”

A beat.

She swallows hard and looks at me. “Would you ever want that? Kids?”

It’s not a question I expected. Not tonight.

“I’ve never wanted anything I couldn’t earn. Not land, not respect, not peace. I never wanted what I didn’t work for with blood or bruises or long hours under the Montana sky.” I pause, holding her liquid brown eyes. “But a baby with you? God help me—I want that someday.”

“I want that too. Something that’s ours. That no one can take away,” Luna whispers. She drops her gaze to our joined hands. “But I don’t know if I’d be any good at it. It’s not like I had role models.”

“No, but you’ve got instincts. You helped deliver a foal. Helped keep Shay calm tonight. You show up, even when you’re scared. That’s more than half of it.” I brush a thumb across her knuckles. “And you have more heart than most people I know.”

She bites her lip, blinking fast. “You’re gonna make me cry again.”

“Then cry,” I murmur. “I’ll still be here.”

And she does. A few quiet, unashamed tears. I don’t speak. I shift the truck into gear and drive us home through the sleet-slick dark, her hand warm in mine the whole way.

Chapter14

Luna

The smell of coffee fills the kitchen, warm and familiar. Shay sits at the head of the table, one hand wrapped around a mug, the other idly stroking Jingle’s ears as he sprawls across her lap.

She’s been home from the hospital for three days, and she looks better. Color has returned to her cheeks, and her eyes are brighter. Still, Henry fusses around her like she’s made of glass.

Tom is arguing with Ben about fencing strategy again. Something about the south paddock and “goats that have a death wish.”

I’m at the stove flipping pancakes when Angus brushes behind me to grab a second cup of coffee. His hand lingers low on my back for a second—steadying, grounding. My skin buzzes from the simple touch.

“You okay?” he murmurs so only I can hear.

I blush, knowing the reason for his question. My husband was particularly… vigorous last night, leaving me sore in all the best ways. I clear my throat. “Yeah. You?”

He smirks, eyes glinting with a slow-burn heat that’s all for me. “I’m good.” Then, low and wicked near my ear: “Little smug, maybe. Made my wife come three times last night.”

I swat his arm, but I’m grinning like an idiot. “You’re impossible.”

“And you,” he murmurs, pressing a quick kiss to the corner of my mouth before stepping back, “are very, very welcome.”

Across the room, Shay stands. “I should feed the goats.”

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