Page 16 of Buck Me

As I walk, I find each step of the process displayed in my scribbles. Together, they don’t just tell the story of this garden; the sketches tell our story too. Tears sting my eyes, and I blink them back. I press a hand to my chest like I can keep the pieces from falling apart.

The crowd is ushered outside, and I take my time following suit. I stand as far back from my father as possible as the lights of the camera flick on. I force a smile on my face by taking in the smiling faces in front of me. This place will be everything I’d hoped, even if I don’t get to enjoy it myself.

My father’s voice carries over a small microphone as he addresses the press. Brandi Rose asks questions he can’t answer, but he comes up with a word salad on the spot, and it seems to work. Brandi Rose nods along as my father dedicates the garden to thechildren of Sagebrush Creek.Dad takes it a step further and tells the Kingridge brothers they can thank him for his partin developing the space with their votes. But all of a sudden, I can’t hear a single word he’s saying.

Across the garden, I findDanner. And he’s looking right at me.

We lock eyes, and my heart stops. A slow-growing smile stretches across his face. There’s no hesitation in his eyes. Danner is quiet and steady. He’s everything I want.

Danner gestures toward the doorway behind me with the slightest nod of his head. I take a step towards the exit without giving it a single thought. My movement catches Dad’s attention, and he turns to shoot me a warning look.

But I shake my head and give him my most genuine smile of the day. “I’m going.”

Anger etches in the corners of my father’s face, but I don’t stop walking. I know where I belong, and for once, I’m following my heart.

The sunlight hits my face as I step into the garden. And I breathe out a sigh of relief when I find Danner already there waiting for me. I fall into his arms, and before I can speak, he wraps me against his chest. My face presses into him, and my heart beats wildly.

When we finally pull away, I look up at him. “This is amazing,” I whisper. “You did such a good job.”

“This isall you,” he says, voice low and sure. “I just brought it to life. Youarethe vision.” He leans back enough to look at me, his hands cradling my face like he’s afraid I’ll vanish. “I love you, Becca. I want to be with you. When you’re ready. You’re my whole heart.”

My heart cracks wide open. “I’m sorry I didn’t stay right here. I love you. I’ve loved you from the minute we met, and I’m ready to do whatever it takes to be beside you. You’re the most incredible man I’ve ever known.”.

“This ranch feels like home now, but only when you’re here. I’m not letting you go again.”

Danner lifts me off the ground, arms tight around me, and for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like I’m being pulled in two directions. I feelwhole. I breathe, and then I press my lips to his.

The kiss is fierce and freeing andtrue. I don’t care who knows it. This man is the start of my happily ever after.

CHAPTER 13

DANNER

Ten MonthsLater

The golden sun’s setting over our garden, everything is drenched in light. It filters through the wildflowers and softens the edges of everything, like the whole ranch is holding its breath for us. It’s been nearly a year since we dreamed this up, and the whole thing has taken shape.

But it isn’t the plants taking my breath away. It’s Becca in a white dress.

This is nothing like my first wedding. There’s no band, no guest list, no stiff suit, and sure as hell no choreographed vows.

Today is just about us, Becca and me… Well, and Pa too. We needed a witness other than Thrusty the Goat. Pa was more than happy to volunteer. As it turns out, he’s pretty good at keeping a secret, too.

The trellis we built together is wrapped in honeysuckle. Lavender sways around the benches. The Bloom Room glows behind us like a promise kept. I can’t think of a more perfect setting to make it official with the woman who has captured my heart.

Becca walks slowly down the center of the garden path. Her bare feet brush the gravel, and the hem of her dress catches thebreeze. Her hair’s half up, messy and perfect. Tucked behind one ear are the wildflowers we planted weeks ago. They are fully bloomed.

When she reaches me, I wrap my arms around her. She’s strength and beauty and fire and softness all tangled up in one person, and she’smine. I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and let my thumb linger against her cheek. She’s floating as we join hands.

“Becca Bellcourt, the mayor’s daughter. The dreamer. The artist. The visionary. My wife. You are beautiful.”

She laughs, soft and full of disbelief. “We’re really doing this.” She’s smiling up at me like I’ve made her dreams come true when anyone can see that I’m the lucky one.

“Damn right we are.”

CHAPTER 14

BOOTS AND BITCHING POD

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