Bouquets and Buckles: An Age Gap, Snowed In, Cowboy Romance (Crimson Ridge)

We pull into the long driveway, passing beneath the familiar wooden arch and hanging metal sign to Rhodes Ranch.

Luke has kept my fingers laced with his, tucked on his jean-clad thigh for the entire drive back over to Crimson Ridge as if he’s worried I’m going to disappear in a puff of smoke from the front seat.

Little does this cowboy know he’s got nothing to fear on that front, however, I might burst into a fiery inferno of embarrassment the second I see Brad and Flinn when we walk through that door hand in hand.

I’m still struggling to come to terms with how unexpected the past day has been, but getting to spend time with my cowboy—no matter how odd it feels to see the man without a horse or ten following him around—has been a gift I certainly am going to cling tight to.

There was also the slightly uncomfortable, but nonetheless important, step of breaking the news to my parents when they threatened to send out a search party after I avoided their first five attempts to video chat with me. My mom looked delighted, meanwhile, my father looked like he needed to go take a long walk to digest the news.

Mom gave me a wink and quietly whispered that she’d have a chat with him over crab claws and a few margaritas at their current favorite beachfront spot for dinner these days.

She also insisted that Luke fly down with me to come and vacation with them during the summer. Considering I’d barely got the words out of my mouth to say that we were together, I wasn’t sure if all I’d be left with was the sight of his tail lights disappearing over the horizon.

Yet he smiled and hit her with the kind of yes, ma’am cowboy charm that had my own damn mother giggling and planning our itinerary before we’d hung up the phone.

I always knew she had a soft spot for the Rhodes men.

Sneaking a glance at his side profile, I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. Luke has been quiet, not awkward or anything like that, but more like he’s just content as he rubs his thumb absently against my palm, and that makes my heart turn into a sparkling flywheel inside my chest.

However, rather than pulling up to the house straight away like I’m expecting, he stops with the motor running on a sweeping bend overlooking a part of the ranch that during spring and summer months is used as grazing pasture. I remember all the times younger me used to drive past this very point, seeing the graceful, long necks and sleek coats of the horses glinting in the sunshine as they roamed around.

“Why are we stopping?” I chew my lip.

“Grab your coat.” He hops out his door, slips his hat on, and walks around to the hood of the truck.

I do as he asks, but am a little bemused.

Luke rests the ass of his perfectly fitted jeans up against the front grill, and gestures for me to come stand in front of him. I mean, I’m not gonna ever say no to being tucked in this man’s embrace, so I nestle against his front, as he wraps his strong arms around me from behind.

“Is this the part where you give me the pep talk about meeting your son?” I tease.

His gruff, rich chuckle tickles my neck as he runs his lips over the sensitive patch of skin below my ear.

“You don’t need to be nervous.” Before I can protest, he adds, “You always make jokes when you’re nervous.” Intertwining our fingers together, he raises both our right hands, while keeping the other pressed firmly against my stomach. “See that slope over there, sweetheart.”

I follow the direction he’s pointing in and nod.

“That’s south-facing.” He says.

My pulse does a little skitter.

“Bet the horses love catching the sun over there.” I swallow thickly.

“They do, but it’s not the best pasture for them.” Luke’s deep voice rumbles through me. “What it would be perfect for is growing something that needs plenty of sunshine hours… something that doesn’t mind the ice and the snow.”

Hot tears prick the back of my eyes.

“Luke…” I exhale.

“You could plant as many varieties as you like there.” He murmurs against my neck and I can feel the emotion bubbling up, ready to overflow with how much I love the man at my back.

“But it’s such a long commitment, they take at least a full season to flower. Maybe even longer depending on when they’re planted and the age of the plant itself.” I don’t know why I’m babbling on and making excuses. Because I don’t intend on going anywhere, but what this cowboy is already offering is to help make one of my dreams come true and I don’t exactly know what to do with how immense that feels.

“I’m kinda hoping you might stick around long enough to see them bloom, sweetheart.”

He spins me around and cups my cheeks in both palms.

All I can do is nod and sniffle and melt under his steady gaze.

“I love you, Skylar. Grow as many peonies as you want here, let me invest in your dreams.”

“You’d seriously do that? Why? I can’t let you do that.”

He gives me the sexiest smile and brushes his thumbs over my cheeks to swipe away the wetness gathering there.

“Because, you’re gonna let me look after you, but more than that, you’re gonna make those dreams all tucked away in the spreadsheets you’ve got in that damn phone of yours come to life.” He angles his head so he can kiss me, soft, slow, standing here overlooking his ranch and I feel like I’m floating.

Pulling back, he pushes some strands of hair off my forehead, while I’m busy dissolving into a puddle.

“I want to watch you grow your dreams, Skylar because you’re bringing mine to life just by being here with me.”

My heart is so full it’s about to burst, I swear to god.

“God, I’m so in love with you… I didn’t think this moment could get any better.”

His eyes dance as I say those words.

“Sweetheart, it’s only just getting started.”