Page 20

L ate summer had painted the world in amber and gold. The rich colors clung to everything in nature and made the air feel soft. Honor stood beside Gray at the fence, the scent of hay and sun-warmed earth wrapping around her like a warm sweater.

Just beyond the fence a cow and her healthy calf ambled through the tall grass. The calf had come into the world on the night they rescued Honor’s sister. For that reason, Willow had christened the baby with the name Hope. Which was fitting.

The baby’s sturdy little legs made Honor smile, especially when it paused to nuzzle its momma, tail lazily flicking.

“So peaceful,” Honor breathed out.

“Yeah.” He brushed his lips over her temple. “I never thought I’d get back to this place, of just being on the ranch and watching something simple like that.”

She looked up into his eyes, heart swelling. “You’re here now.”

They had written so many of those emails together. And he had insisted on writing plenty on his own too, which Honor respected. Every day, they were moving down the rows on the spreadsheet…

And Gray was becoming less wounded. Some of the creases around his eyes were fading, and his shoulders weren’t nearly as tense as they were when Honor first met him.

They continued to watch the cows until the sun began to dip lower in the sky. Gray took Honor by the hand and gave it a light tug.

“C’mon.”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see.”

The sun dipped lower as they walked, the tangerine hues in the sky bleeding into pinks and golds. The colors she would use in her new Summer Sunset jewelry collection.

When they crested the rise that overlooked the lower field, she saw the kindling neatly stacked in the center of the fire ring and various lawn chairs and stumps for seating circled it.

She stopped short. “You built a fire?”

He offered her a sheepish smile and scrubbed a nervous finger over his upper lip. “Thought it was time I joined the fun instead of sitting in my bedroom pretending to write a novel.”

She slipped her arms around him. “Gray Malone, you’re actually going to the bonfire. And you started it.”

“I know. The world’s ending.”

She leaned into him. “I adore this version of you.”

“I kind of do too.” Love burned in the depths of his eyes.

He continued to lead her across the expanse of grass to the fire. He bent and held a lighter to the dry kindling. Wisps of smoke curled upward into the sky.

Only a few minutes later, the hum of voices reached them as people approached. They came in twos and threes. Colt and Aspen holding hands, Oaks and Shiloh, who was laughing at something he said.

Dutch was there, deep in conversation with Willow about the horses. The way the man paid such close attention to Willow when she spoke made Honor pause and take note.

Gray issued a low grunt. She glanced around to see that he was watching the pair too, and probably saw the same interest scrawled across Dutch’s rugged features.

“You made it.”

They turned to see Crew standing there, a smile on his face.

“Still standing tall,” Gray responded, tucking her close to his side.

“Glad to see you made it over one of the hurdles.”

“Hopefully the hardest part. I never thought I’d get here. Let people back in.”

He followed Gray’s gaze to Honor. “Looks like she’s all in.”

Honor beamed and cuddled closer to the love of her life.

“Crew…I had an idea that you might be able to help me with.”

“Anything, man. Just name it.”

“It’s about my novel.”

Understanding dawned on the man, and his expression grew more intense. When he gave a solemn nod, Honor’s throat tightened at the exchange.

“I’d be honored to help you with that particular matter, Gray. In fact…” He shuffled his boots in the short grass. “I think it would help me too.”

Gray tugged on his hat brim. “Figured as much.” He reached out and clapped Crew on the shoulder.

As night folded over them, firelight flickered over faces Honor knew and loved. Someone pulled out a guitar, and the low strains of music mingled with the scent of wood smoke and roasting marshmallows.

Aspen and Colt laughed beside them, Colt tossing a pinecone into the fire like a wish. Carson was with Layne, the two of them beaming as they shared their upcoming wedding plans. Something else to look forward to.

Gray stood with Honor tucked under his arm, her head on his shoulder. He glanced at her, then drew her aside from the group.

“There’s something I’ve been wondering,” he said.

She looked up, the glow from the flames making her eyes even softer. “Yeah?”

“I never thought I’d want to risk my heart again. Not after everything. But now…I can’t imagine life without you.”

Her breath caught.

“I know it’s early. But you dated your ex for six years and never got married. I just need to know…” His voice dropped. “Is that something you didn’t want? Or were you waiting for the right person?”

Honor smiled. “I’d love to get married. I just had to find the right guy.”

He made a small humming noise. “What kind of guy is that?”

She tilted her head. “Well…he’s steady. Loyal. A little gruff on the outside but protective and sweet underneath. He listens, even when he pretends he’s not. He shows up for me when it counts.”

He grinned. “You’ve got great taste.”

“I know.”

They stood quietly for a while, watching the fire.

Then a commotion stirred by the outer path. A figure emerged—a tall, lean man with slightly hunched shoulders.

“ Denver. ” Gray’s low murmur sounded with pain.

Honor stared hard at the man who walked into the wreath of firelight. Willow jumped up and threw her arms around their brother, who seemed to falter under the force of her affection.

Honor didn’t know much about Denver Malone. Everything about him seemed steeped in mystery and silence.

She only knew Gray’s younger brother hadn’t been in contact with his siblings lately, and no one had expected to see him tonight. He approached cautiously, as if unsure if he belonged.

Gray stepped over to him. “Denver.”

Denver looked up, a smile breaking through. But behind the smile, Honor saw it—a shadow. Pain.

“You made it.” Gray pulled him into a hug.

“Barely,” Denver roughed out. “Got lucky.”

Honor stepped up and touched Denver’s arm. “You hungry? I can get you some food.”

Denver nodded. “Yeah. That’d be great.”

One by one, the brothers came forward to embrace their brother and Willow seemed to attach herself to his side. Seeing the affection between the siblings made Honor think about how lucky they all were.

And Honor was too. She had Felicity in her life, and her sister was slowly integrating herself into the Malone family as well, coming by the ranch whenever she got free time. And she had spent the summer seeing one of the Black Heart Ranch therapists to help after what Sully did.

As Honor moved off to grab that food for Denver, Gray settled his brother between himself and Carson. She listened to the brothers talk.

“You okay?” Gray asked Denver quietly.

Denver’s gaze flicked away. “Not sure. But seeing all this? It helps.”

Gray nodded. “We’re all in this together. I’m healing. I hope you can too.”

He didn’t answer, but his presence at the bonfire was enough.

Later, when the flames burned low and people were leaning on each other, full of food and stories and warmth, Gray drew Honor into his arms. She was barefoot now, toes in the cool grass, hair wild from the breeze.

“Let’s go home,” he murmured.

She leaned into him. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. I’ve got a feeling this new season of life is just beginning.”

Honor smiled at him, feeling her heart link to his, completely.

They walked away from the fire together, hand in hand—toward whatever came next.