Page 39

Ruugar

M idday sun bathed the trail in soft gold as we set off toward Lonesome Creek.

Clawed hooves clopped against packed dirt, and the scent of pine and earth filled the air.

Beth rode beside me on her sorhox, her face glowing in the light, and it took every bit of my restraint not to reach for her right then and there.

I’d haul her onto my lap and kiss her until she moaned and clung to me like she had last night.

“You two are precious,” Mary said from behind us. “Like a pair of lovesick fools. It reminds me of you and me, Joel, way back when.”

“I still love you, sweets,” he said, kissing his palm and then blowing across it. I had no idea what the gesture meant, but Mary snatched nothing out of the air and pressed her hand against her chest.

And we were the sick of love fools?

Carol sighed dreamily. “It’s amazing. Look at them, their eyes only for each other. ”

Beth rolled her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks gave her away. “Don’t you all have better things to do than gossip?” She sent them warm smiles.

“Oh no, Ben ,” Pete said, his voice full of laughter. “This was the best entertainment we’ve had all trip.”

The teasing was relentless, but it didn’t matter. If they saw what was in my heart, saw how much Beth meant to me, I felt no shame. Let them talk. Let them see. All that mattered was that she never doubted my feelings.

The trail wound through familiar hills, but everything felt different now. The air was lighter, the horror of Bradley’s actions gone. Beth’s fingers kept stretching out, and I met them every time. Our fingers brushed, and an ache settled deep in my chest, something almost too big to contain.

Her gaze found mine, and the warmth there… She didn’t need to speak. Her expression told me everything I needed to hear.

She loved me.

I couldn't stop grinning.

By the time we stopped for lunch, our friends had settled into easy chatter. We spread blankets over the grass and rummaged through food packs we'd made up before we left.

After we ate, Beth touched my hand. “Want to take another walk with me?”

I followed her away from the group, past a cluster of trees where a small pond glimmered through the branches .

She turned to face me, her hands gripping my forearms. “Promise me something, Ruugar.”

“Anything.”

“Promise we won’t let anything come between us. Not gossip. Not expectations. Just us, as we are. There isn't anything I want more than you.”

My mouth quirked up on one side. “Not even learning to vacuum?”

She grinned. “Not even that.”

Her words twined around my heart, pulling it tight. Cupping her face, I kissed each of her cheeks. “You're the only thing that matters. There's no force strong enough to pull me from you. I promise.”

I kissed her slow and deep, filling my touch with everything I couldn't put into words. She melted into me, and there wasn't any better feeling than that.

“I’ll hold you to it,” she whispered when we finally pulled apart.

We returned to the others, hand in hand.

Mary caught sight of us first and smirked. “Oh, they’re even more inseparable now.”

Joel shook his head. “Might have to come back here just to see this love story unfold.”

Beth rolled her eyes, but her grip on my hand tightened.

The rest of the ride moved slower, everyone soaking up the final hours of the trip.

Lonesome Creek soon came into view. In some ways, I didn’t want this adventure to be over.

In so many other ways, I couldn't wait for my new life to get started.

I'd show her my home— her home now too. We'd settle in and live an amazing life together.

Aunt Inla and my brothers stood on the boardwalk outside the saloon, watching as we brought our mounts to a halt in front of them. As soon as Beth swung her leg over her sorhox to dismount, I was there, reaching for her. I lifted her from the saddle and set her on the ground beside me.

She looked up at me with a shy smile.

Mine.

Before doubt could sneak into her eyes, I kissed her, claiming her in front of everyone.

Inla whooped, and my brother's deep cheers echoed around us. Our friends clapped.

When I released Beth, I placed a hand at the small of her back and faced them all. “This is my mate, Beth.”

She lifted her hand, her shoulders curling forward. I wanted to smooth the sound of dismay in her voice. ”I was the runaway bride. But my running days are over. I'm staying here at Lonesome Creek, at Ruugar's side.”

That brought on more cheers from my brothers. Even Mary swiped away a tear.

Aunt Inla leaped off the boardwalk and came over to sweep Beth off her feet and spin her around. “Welcome to the family, little one,” she said when she finally put Beth down.

My mate shot me a wide-eyed look, but her eyes glowed with happiness.

“Beth will be moving in with me now,” I said .

Beth linked her fingers with mine. “I might even learn how to vacuum.”

Laughter rang out, but all I heard was her. All I felt was her hand in mine.

And that was all I needed.