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He nodded and tried not to choke on the hope that snuck up his throat.

“I want to stay. To run my dad’s ranch. For now, at least. If it doesn’t work out, then it doesn’t. But I want to give it an honest try.”

Bennett opened his mouth, but she shook her head.

“Before you say anything, I don’t know what this means for Steel Born, only that I’ll have to find a way to make it work. Because I want both. If that makes me selfish, then so be it, but I don’t see why I should have to choose between two parts of me when I desperately need each of them to be who I really am, you know?”

She was more winded after that than she was when she’d reached the top of the hill.

He took her hands in his and tipped her chin up so she could meet his gaze. “I do know, and Maggie, I’m… really happy to hear that you’re staying. And to be honest, I hope it’s not just for now.”

He could see his whole world in her eyes.

“You are? You’re not mad? Because it means I’m not going to sell the ranch.”

Bennett nodded. “I figured as much. And I’ll wrestle my own emotions about it over a glass of Bulleit tonight. But you shouldn’t give it up. You’re too good at it.”

“Really? But my dad wanted so much more for me. It’s really the only holdup I’ve got left where he’s concerned.”

“Yeah, but that’s because you were seventeen. The whole world was at your doorstep, and he just wanted you to take the first step and see what it looked like. I can’t say I blame the guy.”

Maggie shot him a look from under furrowed brows, but he laughed it off.

“Okay, maybe if I hadn’t had so much skin in the game back then I wouldn’t have blamed him. The point is, when I have kids someday, I’ll want them to become the best versions of themselves and, hell, I’ll probably do whatever I have to in order to make that happen for them.”

“Hmm. When you put it that way…” Maggie smiled and even though the sun was setting behind the rugged peaks to the west, taking the heat of the day along with it, the smile warmed him from the inside. “Still, he left a helluva mess, in more ways than one. It’ll take time to clean up.”

“Speaking of time,” Bennett said, rubbing the back of her hands with his thumbs, “can I ask you a question related to your decision?”

She smiled deep enough it reached her eyes, and he finally melted into their chocolatey depths.

“You can, but before you do, the answer is yes.”

One of his eyebrows quirked up. “Yes?” His face must have registered shock because she laughed and shook her head, squeezing his hands.

“Sorry. That was ill-timed, given the last question you asked me. I meant yes to going out with you.” He exhaled a long breath, which she seemed to take as relief.

Really, it was a wish that she’d come around to a yes to his question from fifteen years ago as well. Like she said, they had time. “I don’t think I’m ready to commit to much more than a date, but I’d love that if you’re up for it.”

“Yes. Of course, I’d love to go on a date with you.” And so much more.

“Just so long as it’s any other night than tonight. Your mom is having me over for dinner.”

“Wait, what?”

She laughed as he processed the breaking news she’d dropped innocuously.

“Yeah. That’s what I thought. Anyway, my answer to going out with you is a yes. But maybe tomorrow?”

Bennett picked Maggie up around the waist and twirled her in the air, their laughter blending together in perfect harmony. Leave it to Maggie to flip the script when he was trying to ask her out. He’d never been more confused and on top of the world at the same time.

“Tomorrow sounds perfect,” he whispered against her neck as he set her down. He didn’t release her, though. He was too stunned he might actually get everything he’d ever wanted. When she bit her lip, he couldn’t help himself. He bent down and lightly brushed her lips with his. She gasped but pulled him closer.

“Tomorrow,” she whispered back. The warmth of her breath on his chest was like a shot of adrenaline.

“Now that that’s settled, did I hear you say you’re coming to my house for dinner?”

“You heard right.”