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I chuckle, still not ready to reflect too much on it. “Well, I did let go of the handle, which I imagine was fairly helpful. But yeah, a close call for sure. All I can say is things have been looking up ever since my guardian angel and good luck charm arrived. Although I’m personally ready to be done tempting fate. Instead, it’s time to focus on healing the land and starting a life together with lots of gorgeous babies and the woman I’ve been in love with since the second time I laid eyes on her.”

Esmeralda’s eyes pool as she regards my face, whispering, “I love you, too, Reese.”

I raise my hand, palming her face and staring deeply into her turquoise eyes. “Something’s still not sitting right with you. Tell me what it is.”

She shrugs, looking a little defeated. “My grandpa. This was really more his dream than mine. How am I going to tell him I gave it away? “

“I understand how you feel, the weight of trying to please family even when it’s impossible. But I truly believe this is for the best for you and me, this ranch, and your grandpa. No telling what that treasure might do if it traveled back east. How about we take a bunch of photos to prove it’s real and send them his way?”

I have something else in the works, too. My thoughts going to one last thing I need to negotiate with Manuel and his brother, Emiliano—a trip to Mexico City later for Esmeralda and her grandpa to see the treasure safe and secure in an exhibit.

The moment we turn down the long driveway to the ranch, Esmeralda realizes something’s up. “What are all these people doing at Gunner Ridge, Beefcake?” She eyes me curiously.

“Beefcake?”

“Yes,” she says innocently, fluttering her eyelashes at me. “I finally figured it out. Your customized nickname.”

“But why Beefcake?”

“Because you’re a cattle rancher with muscles for days, and all I can think about is eating you whole,” she whispers against the shell of my ear, filling my body with delicious waves of anticipation.

“Can’t argue with that.” My cheeks glow as the air-conditioned caravan parks, and we get out. People crowd around us, and Esmeralda’s jaw hits the ground. We make the rounds, and I introduce her to everyone, explaining my recent change in good fortune and marital status.

My wife’s eyes fill with tears when she sees the kitchen table decorated with a large cake and cupcakes, along with flowers, cards, and small gifts. Foxfire Valley outdid itself again, a community I can be proud of. One that wholeheartedly welcomes my new bride.

As the mariachi music rolls late into the evening and people dance outside, I savor the sensation of my wife snuggling in my arms, swaying gently to the music. “I don’t know where you came from, Angel, although I have my suspicions. But you’re without a doubt the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Despite the barn?”

“Blame that on the treasure.”

“And the hurt and bruised back?”

I nod.

“Despite the Caddy?”

“The only thing I miss about it was our radio station.”

“You’re a goner for me, Reese. That’s obvious.”

Drawing her tightly against me and whispering in her ear, I promise, “And you’re going to be a goner for me after everyone leaves.”

“Oh, yeah? What happens then?”

“I’m going to spread you out on the kitchen table like that fancy cake and devour you whole. Every naughty inch of you—especially the frosting—because you’re the luckiest flavor I’ve ever tasted, wife, and I can’t get enough.”

“I like the sound of that, husband.”