Page 143 of The Mountain Echoes

Elena and Duke look at one another for a small moment, and then Elena smiles. “We know you’re now going to rebuild bigger and better. So, we have something for you.”

Aria lifts her eyes, startled, as if the idea of being rewarded for hard work is foreign to her. In her mind, she only did what had to be done.

There’s a quiet selflessness in her, something rare and unwavering. But then again, Elena’s cut from the same cloth. So, when she turns to Aria, I’m not surprised by what she says.

“We have an offer,” Elena begins. “Two bred heifers. Wilder stock. Solid lines. We’ll let you have them at cost. No markup. Family-and-friends rate.”

Aria’s mouth parts, but no words come. Her eyes go glassy, her breath caught in her throat.

She gets it.

Elena’s not offering just two cows—it’s a future.

Wilder Ranch stock is premium, the kind of genetics people build herds around. Getting even one of those heifers without a ten-month waitlist and a hefty price tag is a feat. Getting two, bred and ready to calve in spring, with zero markup is not mere generosity. It’s respect.

It’s Elena seeing Aria—not just as a woman trying to hold a ranch together, not just my woman—but as one ofus. A rancher worthy of help and investment.

I know Duke and Elena, the herd is prized, and they don’t give away that kind of bloodline unless it’s important. This is. It’s how they’re welcoming Aria into the fold.

Aria blinks, a tear slipping free.

She’s spent years feeling like she didn’t belong here, like every step she took was on borrowed ground. Now she has clear proof that she earned her place.

“I don’t know what to say,” she whispers.

“Say, yes,” Nadine growls, shaking her head, as much in awe as Aria at the generosity of the Wilders.

“And, say thank you, darlin’,” I instruct.

“Yes…andthank you.” Aria’s voice is raw. “I….” She looks at Elena and Duke. “But why?”

Duke glances at me, then back at Aria. “Because you earned it.”

Later, after they’ve gone and we’re in bed, lying side by side, our eyes meet each other.

“I love you,” she murmurs.

My heart gallops. Iknowshe loves me, but hearing the words…well, that’s like the sun shining high after a storm.

“I love you.” It’s a promise.

“I don’t know how to do this yet,” she admits. “Not without Earl. Not with all the damage.”

“We’ll figure it out together.”

She smiles. “I’d like that.”

CHAPTER 33

aria

On a ranch, the day starts whether you’re grieving, sick, or tired.

The work must go on.

We still have cattle to take care of and two heifers that are worth more than their weight in gold,literally.

The alfalfa needs to be harvested real soon, and then we have to take that hay to the barn before the next round of storms rolls in. If it gets wet, it molds. Molded hay means respiratory infections, colic, and worse. So that means baling, hauling, and stacking.