“I walked up the road a bit, back toward the ranch, and found one of the old sheds on Bridger land.”

“Damn,” Chance says. His Stetson has kept his face dry, but droplets fall off the brim and wet the shoulders of his shirt. “One of the tasks on my list was to get rid of all those old structures that we don’t use anymore. Now we’ll get them stocked for emergencies instead.”

“I’m glad it was there,” Carly says. “I was able to get out of the rain and wait it out. I didn’t mean to worry anyone.”

I kiss the top of her wet head again. “I know that. We all do. Right, Mayor?”

He nods, which is the first time he and I agree on anything.

“My God,” I breathe. “Nothing else matters now. You’re here, and you’re safe.”

She pulls away then and I let her. Barely. Goes to her father and hugs him. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“You don’t have to be sorry.” Vance tips his daughter’s chin up so she looks at him. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry I’ve been so…” He shakes his head.

“It’s all right, Daddy. I understand. You and Mom are just scared. Scared of losing me again. But I promise you that I’m not going anywhere.”

“He’s leaving, only here for the will,” he tells her.

I stiffen at the implication, but he’s right. Was right. “I’m not leaving Carly. Who knows what a year will bring? She might leave me for vet school. But I’ll follow her anywhere. Hell, I’ll even stay here with my pain-in-the-ass brothers if that’s what Carly wants.”

“I want to be with Austin.” She glances at me. Love shines in her eyes.

My heart nearly bursts. Love for this woman flows through me, and the intensity of it astounds me.

I want to confess my love to her, but right here? In front of my brothers? In front of her father?

Carly steps away from her father then.

I take my chance to grab her.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again, Carly Vance. Don’t you ever leave me again.”

She sinks her head into my chest. “I don’t want to, Austin. Not ever.”

“Good. Because I love you. I love you so damned much.”

Yeah, I didn’t wait. Because I’ve learned that I have to live in the here and now. Grasp happiness where I can. And I’m going to find it with this woman. She and I. Together.

31

CARLY

Austin’s words permeate me. Infuse me with warmth. Though I’m soaking wet, dirty with mud, and a complete mess, none of that matters.

I feel like the most beautiful princess in the world nestled in Austin’s arms, his words of love flowing around us and protecting us like a soft cloud.

“I love you, too,” I say against him. “So much.”

We stay in our cloud for a moment, just the two of us.