Page 38 of Take Me Please, Cowboy (The Calhouns & Campbells of Cold Canyon Ranch #1)

“It’s a special piece of land,” Rye said, trying to soften her words.

“I’m a big believer in family legacies. I’ve done my best to take care of my grandfather’s property in Eureka.

I’ve taken over my dad’s roofing business.

I’m very loyal to family, and I’m not insulted, but it doesn’t sound like this is the right move for Ansley.

Ansley is not a country girl. She has dreams that are bigger than being a rancher’s wife—”

“That’s not it at all,” she interrupted, turning to face Rye.

“I don’t care if I’m a rancher’s wife, a cowboy’s wife, a roofer’s wife.

It’s not about your occupation. It’s about us—you and me—being respected.

I can paint anywhere. I can paint here. I can paint in Eureka.

I can paint in Bozeman if that’s what you wanted to do.

I just want us to find the place that is our place, one that feels right for me and you.

” She glanced at each of her brothers. “Now butt out and mind your own business. I won’t stand for your interference. ”

*

Late that afternoon, following a very late and awkward lunch, Rye slipped out of the back of the house to go for a walk.

He took the gravel road that wound to the high pastures up until it turned to dirt and kept walking.

It was a significant climb, but he welcomed the exercise and the quiet.

He could hear the birds as the sun began to set, sparrows, crows, and a circling hawk, which made the crows even more vocal.

In the distance, he heard a cow low, and wondered if it was on the Wyatts’ property or if it was one of the cows the Wyatts were running on the Campbell ranch.

There was so much to like about Cold Canyon Ranch.

There were intriguing possibilities in being in Park County.

If he didn’t have to consider his family’s needs, he would jump at the opportunity to start a life here.

This was a beautiful part of Montana, some of the best grazing land, as well.

He could give up the roofing and focus on being a rancher, which was his first love.

He could give up competing, too, which would give him more time to devote to Ansley and his family, and the family he and Ansley would have one day.

But he couldn’t just consider himself. He had to think of his family, and Jasper would do better here, and he would get better care in Marietta. There were outstanding doctors and specialists just thirty miles from the ranch. If there was an emergency, help would be close by.

If he and Ansley didn’t want to be on the ranch, they could find a place that suited them better, and just because he wasn’t working the Campbell ranch, it didn’t mean he couldn’t find a ranch hand position elsewhere.

He’d have to prove himself, but he wasn’t worried about that.

Rye was good with challenges, and like his mom, he was ready for something new.

He heard a motor and turned to look at the road. Ansley was riding a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle, charging up the road toward him. Rye stood in the middle of the road waiting for her to reach him. “Where did you get that from?” he asked.

“It’s Tommy Wyatt’s. He’s home for the weekend, and he came over to meet my brothers and, since they were all busy, I asked if I could borrow it to come find you.”

“You are very resourceful.”

She turned the ATV off but remained seated. “Mind some company?”

“Not if it’s yours.”

“Yeah, wasn’t about to bring any of the brothers. I’m still so mad at them.”

“Don’t be mad, Ansley. They thought they were doing something good.”

She huffed an indignant breath. “They should have talked to me.”

“I agree.”

“And if they had, I would have told them no way you’d be interested in moving here—”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind living here, working here,” he said, crossing to where she sat and lifting off her goggles so he could see her eyes. “I like this area and you have the best neighbors next door.”

“That’s true.”

“But I also wouldn’t want you having to drive from here into town to open your gallery every day. The weather is harsh in winter, and I’d worry about you—”

“I don’t have a gallery.” Ansley cut him short, laughing. “But one day, yes, I’m hoping.”

She swung her leg over the ATV seat and stood up, stepping into his arms. “Let’s spend some time house hunting. There’s no reason to rush. I’d rather find the right place for all of us instead of trying to squeeze us into a place that won’t work.”

“Like the Campbell farmhouse?”

“Way too small. I don’t know where we’d put everyone.”

He kissed her head and then her mouth. It was a light warm kiss, filled with sweetness. “There’s a lot of good communities between Marietta and Bozeman, and Livingston, too.”

“It’ll be fun to look for a place, our place,” she said with some satisfaction.

He kissed her again, a deeper kiss, a kiss of absolute love and affection. “So, when are we going to get married, Ansley? We never set a date.”

“Whenever you want to. I’m not interested in a big wedding.

I’m not interested in all the fuss. I just want you.

And I want us to be together. These past few months have been tough with us living in two different places, and trying to meet when we could.

I’m just ready to be with you twenty-four-seven. ”

“Maybe a Christmas wedding? That would give us a month to plan. Is that enough time?”

“Do you know what the weather is like around here? If we have a lot more snow—”

“Oh, we will definitely have a lot more snow, and I’m not thinking of a garden wedding. Maybe something at a hotel, and let them do all the work?”

“Wouldn’t that be a lot of money?”

He thought for a minute. “What about at Bramble House? It’s a good place and it’d probably work for a small wedding, although if all your brothers come, it’s not going to be such a small wedding.”

Ansley laughed. “They’ll come, but they’re all single so that saves money.”

“We’d have my family, plus Ron.” Rye’s tone hardened. “Or I could tell him it’s family only.”

Ansley tugged on his vest. “We could also just elope and deal with the consequences.”

Rye pictured her five older brothers and shook his head. “If your dad is anything like your brothers, eloping might not be a good idea. I have a feeling everyone wants to see you married. You’re the only girl, and the baby.”

“Then let’s talk to the Bramble House tonight when we go back to town and see if they have a day open.”

“I love it when we communicate. Look how much we get done.”

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his waist. “You will have your cast off before the wedding, won’t you?”

“Yes. Thank goodness.”

She reached up to stroke his jaw, her nails lightly grazing the bristles of his beard. “Can’t wait to marry you. Can’t wait until I’m yours forever.”

“The time will pass quickly. We have a lot to do.”

“I’m excited,” she said. “Excited about our future.”

He kissed her. “I love you, Ansley.”

She smiled against his mouth. “I love you, Rye Calhoun, and I can’t wait until we have a little Calhoun of our own.”