Page 2

The summer sun blazed high overhead, radiating across the rolling pastures of the ranch.

Heat rose from the ground in shimmering waves as sweat rolled down my neck, soaking the collar of my shirt. I guided my horse through the field, rounding up the last of the cattle for the day.

Dust swirled around the herd, their low, lazy moos blending with the rustle of dry grass beneath their hooves. Once I got this bunch moved to the new pasture, I could call it a day.

I tugged gently on the reins and wiped my brow, scanning the horizon.

This ranch wasn’t just a piece of property—it was my family’s legacy. Three generations of McKinleys had poured blood and sweat into these acres. Every fence post, every pasture gate, every trail worn into the dirt told a story.

Golden fields stretched in every direction, melting into the thick line of pines and oaks that stood like watchmen at the edge of the property. A well-worn dirt road cut through it all, winding past the barn with its fresh coat of red paint—a little touch of pride and promise for the future.

Near the barn, a couple horses dozed by the fence line, swatting away flies with their tails. Beyond them, others grazed in the shade. The scent of earth, hay, and sunbaked wood clung to the air—familiar, grounding.

Up on the hill, the old ranch house stood just as strong as it always had.

Its wraparound porch looked out over everything my family had built, and the oak tree in the front yard still held the tire swing my grandfather had hung years ago.

The white fence around it leaned a little more every season, but it held. Just like us.

The buzz of my phone in the pocket of my Wranglers snapped me out of my daydream.

I look down at the caller ID.

Jace.

“Please tell me you picked up the bottle-feeding supplies,” I said without a hello, picturing the weak little calf in the barn. We’d spent the past twenty-four hours helping a young heifer birth her first calf. The cow finally finished laboring, but now the damn calf refused to nurse.

If she didn’t take a bottle soon, we’d lose her. And no matter what people thought about me, burying animals—especially calves—always hit me hard. I wasn’t in the mood for it today.

“You’ll be happy to know I got what we need—and then some,” Jace said, a little too chipper.

I narrowed my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me. “Care to elaborate? ”

“She’s driving behind me. Depending on where you’re at, you’ll see us pulling in soon.”

Sure enough, a rising trail of dust caught my attention down by the entrance road.

I spotted Jace’s truck first. A second vehicle following close behind—a small white SUV I didn’t recognize at first.

“Jace, we don’t need some buckle bunny hanging around the ranch today,” I muttered, already annoyed. “Turn her around and take her back to town.”

He laughed. “Oh, she’s no buckle bunny.”

As the SUV rounded the bend and passed beneath the iron arch that read McKinley Ranch , something about it clicked.

A BMW. White. Clean. Way too out of place.

My heart skipped. I only knew one person who drove a car like that.

“What the—” I stopped myself short as realization dawned.

“Something wrong, brother? Cat got your tongue?” Jace teased. I could hear the smirk in his voice.

I stared as the SUV inched closer, following Jace’s truck, dust curling around the tires. I could make out the driver behind the wheel. I’d know that long blonde hair anywhere.

“I’ll be damned,” I muttered as Jace ended the call. “Ellie.”

I tightened my grip on the reins and clicked my tongue, guiding my horse back towards the guesthouse as the two vehicles rumbled closer and closer to its driveway .

By the time I reached the front of the ranch, Jace was already out of the truck, striding towards Ellie’s car.

She stepped out hesitantly, her gaze sweeping over the ranch like she was trying to soak it all in. The way her eyes lingered on the pastures, the barn, the old oak tree by the fence line—it was as if she were sifting through memories, reliving every moment she’d spent here as a child.

Her blonde hair caught the sunlight as the strands swayed in the breeze, and she wore an old navy-blue sweater despite the stifling afternoon heat.

She looked different. Smaller. Tired.

When she finally finished taking it all in, she turned and our eyes locked.

Damn.

The sight of her still hit me like a punch to the gut.

She looked away, busying herself with her bags. I swung down off my horse and walked towards them just as Jace popped the trunk.

“Jace,” I greeted, sauntering up to both of them, my dirt-covered boots crunching on the gravel.

“Look who I just found at Maggie’s,” he said with a grin.

“I see that.” I kept my voice even, though my mind was spinning. “Ellie,” I said as I tipped my cowboy hat at her.

She nodded, hugging her arms around her torso. “Hey, Colt. Long time no see.”

“What brings you back to these parts?” I asked, tilting my head.

She hesitated for half a second before forcing a small grin. “City life isn’t for me after all. ”

She let out a short laugh, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

I studied her body language for a moment. The way she said it left me wondering if she was back for good or just temporarily.

Any time someone in town mentioned Ellie, they talked about how much she loved her new life in Dallas.

I even ran into one of her old friends one night at a local bar.

All they could talk about was how well she was doing—how she had moved into a great apartment in the city and had recently started dating someone.

Jackson? Jason, maybe? I couldn’t remember.

What I did remember was the way my stomach had twisted hearing that last part.

She had moved on, built a life for herself. By all accounts, she was happy.

So why was she standing in front of me right now?

“Let me help you with your bags,” I offered, reaching for her suitcase.

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that,” she said, trying to stop me before I could grab it.

As she reached out, her sleeve shifted just enough for me to catch a glimpse of a faint bruise circling her wrist.

The moment she realized the bruise was exposed, she yanked her hand back, letting it drop to her side, fists clenched.

I forced my expression to stay neutral, jaw tight.

I knew Ellie better than anyone. Pelting her with questions now wouldn’t get me answers.

Plus, anything could cause a bruise. I was probably overthinking it .

Or maybe I wasn’t.

“I’m not letting you carry your own bags, Ellie,” I said, keeping my tone light. “My momma would have my hide if she ever found out. Besides, you’re probably exhausted from the drive.”

She hesitated, like she wanted to argue, then sighed and stepped back, letting me take the suitcase.

“She said she was looking for a place to stay, so I offered her the guesthouse until she gets on her feet,” Jace explained as we all walked up the steps of the wraparound porch.

“Is that so?” I asked, glancing at Ellie.

She shifted under my gaze but nodded. “Yeah, just until I figure things out.”

“Well, Jace is right. You always have a place to stay here on the ranch, Ellie. You know that.”

She gave a small nod.

The guesthouse looked a lot different than the last time Ellie had seen it. Before, it was outdated. No one had stayed in it for years. Now, it was cozy, warm, and smelled like fresh paint and linens.

It was one of the many projects I had worked on, trying to keep my mind from going crazy after Ellie left.

I sat her bags down near the couch and leaned against the marble kitchen counter.

“This place looks… different, but beautiful,” she said as she took it all in.

I smirked. “I remodeled it a few months ago. Some fresh paint and flooring can do a place wonders, huh?”

She looked at me, shocked.

“You did all of this?” she asked .

“Yep. On slow winter days, I kept myself busy with this remodel. Does it get the Ellie Brooks stamp of approval? Your attention to detail was always impressive—and scary,” I joked, looking towards her.

“Ha. Ha. Very funny. But if you must know, yes—yes it does,” she shot back.

Ellie crossed her arms. A hint of a smile played at her lips. It was the closest thing to a real smile I’d gotten out of her since she arrived.

Sunlight shone through the window, glinting off Ellie’s blonde hair.

The sight of it took me back to summers on the ranch with her. It was the same glow I studied every time we went to the lake or went horseback riding together.

Those were always the moments I thought Ellie was the prettiest damn thing I had ever laid eyes on.

I pushed that thought down, telling myself she was just Ellie, my best friend—nothing more.

She was high-society prom-queen Ellie Brooks. And I, well, I was just some dirty cowboy.

“Kitchens stocked with the basics, hot water works great, but if you need anything, I’m just up at the main house.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Colt. Really.”

I held her gaze for a moment longer before pushing off the counter. “Dinner’s at six at the main house.”

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude on a McKinley family dinner. I’ll just find something here or go pick up something in town if I have to,” she said.

“Are you kidding? As soon as my mom figures out you’re back, she’s going to be ecstatic. If you don’t show up to dinner, she might actually cry,” I said, half serious.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“She wouldn’t have it any other way, I’m sure of it,” I said, trying to convince her to come to dinner, half for the sake of my mom’s excitement, half for my own. “But just know, if you show up late, Jace will eat your share.”

“He’s right,” Jace said off in the distance of the house.

She smirked. “Okay, if you insist.”

I went to leave, hesitating at the door. “I’m glad you’re back, El.”

Her smile faltered slightly, but she covered it with a small nod. “It’s good to be back.”

I wasn’t sure if I believed her.