Page 166 of Knot Your Problem, Cowboy
Walker shifts a little, offering her a polite, almost shy smile as he reaches for her hand. “Hi, nice to meet you.”
“Marry me. I’m serious. A man who can cook? In this economy?”
I bark out a laugh, and Walker is grinning, lifting his chin with pride. “I’m taken, sweetheart.”
“All the good ones are.” She sighs dramatically, then flashes him a wink. “No offense, Cash.”
“None taken,” Cash says. “But if Iwereavailable, I’d be too expensive anyway.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it,” Meredith shoots back, clearly loving every second.
I turn toward June, who’s already leaning forward with a welcoming smile. “And this is June, my local ride-or-die. She’s got emergency chocolate in her purse, a radar for drama, knows the best places to have fun, and gives the kind of hugs that reset your whole day.”
June laughs and immediately pulls Meredith into a hug like they were best friends in another lifetime.
“Any friend of Sophia’s is a friend of mine,” Meredith says.
“I knew I’d like you,” June says, squeezing her back. “You have warm-hug energy.”
“And that,” I continue, pointing down the row, “is Belle, who somehow made posing with livestock look glamorous in every single calendar photo.”
Belle waves. “Great to meet you.”
“We need to sit,” Cash says, already shifting to make room as everyone shuffles like a chaotic, half-choreographed dance, eventually squeezing Meredith in between June and Cash.
Meredith settles in, glancing around. “Third cowboy down there, I assume?” She points to the chutes where the bulls and riders come together.
“Yep, this is Ridge’s moment, and he is going to do amazing.” I’m smiling, so damn proud of him.
Meredith grabs my hand with both of hers, drawing me over Cash’s lap, her expression suddenly softening beneath the sass. “Seriously, though, Sophia. I’m so proud of you. Look what you’ve built.”
My throat tightens just a little.
“Don’t make me cry at a rodeo,” I say, nudging her shoulder. “I’m wearing mascara.”
“It’d better be waterproof mascara,” she says with a grin, and I’m nodding, smirking, while Cash has his hand on my back, Walker’s touch on my thigh.
Before I can respond, the lights shift, and Tom walks back to the center of the arena.
The crowd roars before he says a word, and someone behind us blows an air horn that makes my ears ring.
“Easy,” Walker murmurs, his arm sliding around my shoulders, warm and solid.
“As you all know,” Tom begins, his voice echoing through the speakers, “we’re here tonight to save Wild Hearts Ranch from foreclosure. But this is about more than just one ranch. This is about community. This is about standing up to those who think they can buy our way of life, our heritage, our homes.”
The crowd cheers louder, and I see signs everywhere withSave Wild Hearts Ranch,Ranches Not Developments, Rose’s Legacy Lives.
“Now, I’ve got some updates that might interest you,” Tom announces, pausing for effect. “First, this event is being livestreamed to viewers worldwide. And not just that, it’s also being streamed live on theConfessions of a City Omegablogby one of our own and newcomer to Honeyspur Meadow. Sophia!”
The crowd erupts, a wave of whoops, claps, and hollering that rolls through the arena like thunder.
I gasp, my cheeks going instantly, traitorously red.
Cash squeezes my shoulder, steady and warm. “You did that, sugar. Every single one of them is here because you shared your story.”
“Second,” Tom continues. “The current fundraising total, as of five minutes ago, stands at four hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars!”
The arena explodes. People are on their feet, screaming, crying, hugging strangers. We’re so close I can taste it, feel it humming in my bones. I exchange glances with Walker and Cash, who are holding me tighter against them.
