Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
By the time I finish, my glass is empty, and my heart feels lighter. Cal hasn’t said a word, but his jaw is tight, and his hands are clenched into fists.
“You deserved better,” he says finally, his voice rough. “And they’ll never lay a hand on you again. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
His words settle over me like a warm blanket, and I reach out, placing my hand over his. “Thank you,” I whisper.
He looks at me then, his eyes filled with something I can’t quite name. “You don’t have to thank me. You’re part of this family now. And we protect our own.”
The weight of his words sinks in, and for the first time in a long time, I allow myself to believe them.
Chapter Ten
Cal
The soft glow of the setting sun casts the world in shades of pink and gold as I lead the horses toward Layla. She’s waiting by the barn, her arms wrapped around herself in the cool February air, looking like she’s stepped straight out of a dream. Her cheeks are flushed from the cold, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“What’s this about?” she asks, tilting her head in that way she does when she’s trying to read me.
I don’t answer right away. Instead, I focus on helping her mount her horse. Her hands brush mine as she grabs the reins, and the electricity that always seems to hum between us crackles to life. She doesn’t pull away, but her lips twitch like she’s trying to decide whether to smile or sass me.
“You’ll see,” I say, keeping my tone intentionally vague. It drives her crazy, and I love it.
She narrows her eyes. “If this is some elaborate plan to get me to clean out the barn again, I’m leaving.”
“You’re not going anywhere,” I reply, swinging into my saddle. “Trust me, you’ll like this.”
“Trust you?” She raises a teasing eyebrow. “That’s a big ask.”
I smirk, urging my horse forward. “You already do, Layla. You just don’t like admitting it.”
Her scoff follows me as we start down the trail, but I don’t miss the way her lips curve into a smile.
The ride is quiet at first, the crunch of hooves against the snow-dusted ground filling the air. Layla eventually relaxes, falling into the rhythm of the horse beneath her. Every so often, I glance back to make sure she’s doing all right. She catches me once and rolls her eyes.
“I’m fine, cowboy. Stop babysitting me.”
“Just making sure you don’t fall off,” I tease. “Wouldn’t want to scrape you off the trail.”
“Your concern is heartwarming,” she deadpans, but there’s a flicker of amusement in her voice.
We reach the lake just as the sun dips below the horizon, leaving behind a sky streaked with orange and purple. I pull my horse to a stop and dismount, offering Layla a hand to help her down. She hesitates, her eyes darting between me and the picnic setup waiting by the water’s edge.
“What is this?” she asks, her voice softer now.
“Valentine’s Day,” I say simply, leading her toward the blanket spread out on the grass. A cluster of candles flickers in the evening breeze, their warm light reflecting off the water. Rose petals are scattered across the blanket, and a bottle of champagne sits chilling in a bucket nearby.
Layla stops short, her eyes wide. “You did all this?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool even though my chest tightens at the look on her face. “Figured you deserved something nice.”
Her lips part, but no words come out. For once, she’s speechless, and I can’t help but smirk.
“You’re welcome,” I say, tugging her hand and pulling her onto the blanket.
She shakes her head, a disbelieving laugh slipping out. “You’re impossible.”
“True.” I grab the champagne, popping the cork and pouring us each a glass. “But you like me anyway.”
Layla takes the glass, her fingers brushing mine. “Mm, good thing I like arrogant cowboys.”
We settle onto the blanket, the soft sounds of the lake lapping against the shore filling the silence. She leans back, gazing at the soft outline of the moon that’s just beginning to appear in the sky. For a moment, I just watch her, the candlelight casting her features in a warm glow.
“This is perfect,” she murmurs, her voice so quiet I almost miss it.
“Good.” I reach for the lasso I brought along, a grin tugging at my lips. “But it’s about to get better.”
She sits up, eyeing the rope with suspicion. “What are you doing with that?”
“Teaching you how to lasso,” I say, standing and tossing the rope over my shoulder. “Unless you’re scared.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “I’m not scared.”
“Prove it.” I walk a few feet away, looping the rope around a nearby stump. “Come on, city girl. Show me what you’ve got.”
Layla huffs but gets to her feet, brushing off her jeans. “Fine. But if I end up tangled in this thing, you’re not allowed to laugh.”