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“Wheeler, I just took you on a tour of my family’s working cattle ranch. We saw cows, horses, snakes, and a freaking bald eagle. Not to mention the Colorado River. But all you can talk about is cowboys?”

Wheeler blinks. “Yes, cowboys are what interest me most. What’s wrong with that?”

I laugh. “Nothing. They interest me too.”

“Well, yeah.” Wheeler grins at me as she tucks stray strands of her copper hair out of her eyes. “You’re gonna marry one.”

“I’m not asking Cash to marry me.”

“No, you’re just about to show him the branding we did for y’all’s new ranch. The one you’re going to run together.”

“Exactly.”

“He’s gonna think you’re asking him to marry you, Mollie. Friends don’t combine ranches.”

I lift a shoulder, like my heart isn’t already thrumming inside my chest at the prospect of presenting my idea to Cash tonight over dinner. It’s part of the reason why Wheeler drovedown from Dallas this morning, two weeks after I signed the paperwork at Mom’s lawyers’ office. I need the moral support.

“If he wants to get married too, fine.”

“Oh, stop it. You’re dying to have that man’s babies.”

Grinning, I park the ATV by the back door. “I am.”

Now that we’re well into October, it gets dark early. The New House blazes with light, its windows glowing in the deepening twilight. I can see Patsy moving through the kitchen inside. The bittersweet smell of a fire fills my head at the same moment my eyes catch on the smoke drifting up from the kitchen’s chimney.

Home.

I’m finally,finallyhome.

My pulse seizes when I see Cash sidle up to the sink. He turns on the tap and slowly washes his hands, expression smoothed over as he works the soap into a lather. His hair is wet, slicked back from his face. He showered, then.

My body warms. In a couple of hours, probably less, we’ll be alone together at the cabin. And when we’re alone at the cabin, my clothes don’t stand a chance. I can already smell his skin as he guides my shirt over my head and climbs over me in bed, settling his weight between my legs while he kisses my mouth, my neck. My breasts.

The way I crave this man is unlike any other urge I’ve had. I’ll never get over it.

If tonight goes well, I’ll never have to.

Taking a deep breath, I reach for the laptop case I tucked underneath the seat and glance at Wheeler. “You ready to meet the family?”

Because that’s what these people are now. Part of my family. They know my history—my hopes—better than pretty much anyone besides Mom and Wheeler.

“I truly cannot wait.” She rubs her hands together as she looks at the house. “Cowboys, here I come.”

The second I push open the door, we’re greeted by the smell of something good roasting in the oven and a cacophony of voices. It’s like everyone knows I’m about to put my heart and my happiness on the line and they made sure they were at the table early.

All five Rivers boys are here. So are John B and Sally. And it appears Goody and Tallulah have stopped by for supper too.

Of course they have.

Wheeler grabs my arm as she takes in the tall cowboys at the table. “I think I’m going to like it here, Mollie.”

“Mollie! Hey! This must be your friend you were telling me about. Welcome to the ranch, Wheeler.” Patsy rounds the island, a bottle of white wine in one hand and a bottle of red in the other. “What can I pour y’all?”

“A tall glass of cowboy,” I reply with a smirk.

Cash saunters over, wiping his hands on a kitchen towel. He’s smirking too. “I’m right here, honey.”

“I’d like one of those too, please.” Wheeler’s eyes still haven’t left the table.