Page 36 of Cozy Cabin for Two
“You have?”
I faced her with all my strength and resolve. I wasted years pushing her away. This job offer forced my hand, and now I’d fight to get her to stay.
“You got me hooked. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like here without you and our little Ro.”
“OurRo?” She arched her brows.
“Yes, because she’s a Rhodes through and through, and I claim her just like I claim you.”
She took a step forward, swiping a tear forming at the corner of her eye. “Say it again.”
“I claim her just like I claim you?”
“Yes. And say the part about falling.” She reached me now, her hands landing on my chest, head tilted up, pouty little mouth, doe eyes watery and blinking.
“You heard me. I’ve fallen so fast and so hard, none of this makes sense. You’ve opened me up and filled my heart. Kicked my ass into gear and made me deal with things from the past that I didn’t want to.” My hands landed on her hips, ready to hit my knees to beg and plead for her to stay. “A life without you here wouldn’t be living at all. So stay with me. Staybecause I love you, Willow. Don’t leave me for California.”
“California?” She shook her head. “Why would I return there when the man I love is here?”
Like I’d been holding everything back, I suddenly caught her up in my arms, bridal style. I swung her around. “Say it again.”
“The part about not leaving because the man I love is here?” She took my hat off and placed it on her head. “I love you, Ash. It’s always been you, as far back as the day we first met in school.”
I set her down but didn’t let her go. A sly smile came over me eyeing how gorgeous she looked wearing my hat cocked off center because it was too big on her. “Look at you in my Stetson, city girl. You know what it means when you claim a man’s hat, don’t you? It means you claim him, too.”
“Mom? Some congressperson just gave me a hundred-dollar bill,” Ro shouted down the barn, unknowingly interrupting.
“That’s so cool, honey. Be sure to put it away in your cash box for now,” Willow stepped out of the stall and yelled back. After Ro returned to the lemonade table, she pivoted toward me, hands on hips. “Now, about your playboy days…”
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t read too much into what Nicoletta said.”
“I guess we have a lot to talk about tonight, camping up at our ridge.”
“You mean up at Rhodes Ridge? I named it after us.”
“Us—I like the sound of that. Uh-oh, I think I hear the end of Nicoletta’s set. We’d better get back out there and finish up the event. Talk more later?” She pecked my lips, and with a wink as a promise, I couldn’t wait for our camping trip tonight.
TWENTY-ONE
Prayed
WILLOW
The open house concluded,and the last visitor finally left right as the sun started to fade. Ash gathered all his men around in front of the barn, along with the Wylde sisters, me and Ro, and Dusty and Eli. All of us clapped and cheered after such a successful event.
In true leadership fashion, Ash gave a brilliant speech of recognition to everyone for their hard work, thanking each person there. But the work wasn’t over. We had a bit of cleanup to do tonight, especially in the food areas so we wouldn’t attract critters—or bears. The rest, like the stage and tables and such, could be dismantled in daylight tomorrow.
After giving orders, Ash’s eyes set on mine, appreciative and crinkled at the edges. He walked right up to me and brought me in for a hug, and Ro wrapped herarms around our legs, too. “Nice work today, you two.”
I was a little sad to see it end as everything had been perfect. We set out and accomplished exactly what we wanted to with this day and pulled it off. Mostly, I was happy for Ash, having impressed Chris so much. It never hurts to impress the owner.
“Why don’t you both head to the cabin? We can take care of things here,” he suggested. In my ear, he whispered, “And you can get ready for our little trip tonight.”
Ro jumped up and down. “But Knox says he’s having a bonfire with all the trash from today, and Dusty is helping Eli and me count our money. We’re splitting it fifty-fifty. I hope I have enough to buy a horse of my own.”
“What about Marshmallow?” Ash asked. He and I shared a humorous glance.
“I’ll be too old for him soon. I want a gigantic horse. One that I can race really fast around barrels. Daisy said she would teach me.”
