Page 68 of Waiting for the Rancher

Although Hazel wanted to see how Clarabelle answered Mr. Meyer, she followed along as Maverick tugged her away from his ma’s grave through the gate in the fence that surrounded the cemetery. She let him lead the way to his horse, tied up with others nearby.

Family and friends would be heading over to the High C Ranch for a feast that her mother and sister and other neighbors had prepared. Hazel would have plenty of opportunity to talk to Clarabelle later about Mr. Meyer.

For now though, at this moment, Maverick needed her. She could sense it in his every move.

He helped her up into the saddle, and though she gripped the pommel hard, her fear of riding was diminishing more and more every time she braved getting on. Of course, it helped that she always rode in front of Maverick. His presence surrounding her had a way of making her feel safe.

And of course, he liked to distract her with lingering kisses to her neck and shoulders and jaw and about any place that he could kiss from behind.

And his caresses . . .

She blushed at the thought of the bold way he touched her whenever they rode together, his hands always straying, as if he could never get enough of her.

As he mounted behind her, she relaxed against him, leaning back and relishing the feel of his hard chest and his thick arms. She could admit she was growing to like riding again just for moments like this, where their bodies were pressed against one another closely enough that she could feel his heartbeat.

He directed the horse away from the cemetery and toward the foothills, away from the main road. He was taking the long way. Even though he wasn’t fully recovered from his accident, he was walking on his own without a cane and could withstand longer rides.

They rode silently, the hooves against the earth and rocks the only sound as they made their way north toward the ranch through the foothills and the rugged countryside. When finally the town was well behind them, Maverick slowed the pace until they were nearly stopped.

He released the reins and wrapped his arms around her waist, sagging into her as if he needed her more than anything or anyone.

She wrapped her arms over his and drew him nearer.

He nestled into her neck and kissed her jaw.

Warmth spiraled out from her abdomen as it did every time he kissed her, filling her with a keen need for him.

“I love you, Hazel.” His voice was hoarse near her ear. “Thank you for being here for me through all of this.”

She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck from behind, drawing him down. At the same time, she twisted so that he could reach her mouth and give her the kiss she craved.

As their lips meshed, time and space halted around them, and all that existed was the moment and their passion, his hands sliding up her ribs, hers digging into his neck, their bodies pulsing with one heartbeat and one need.

The kiss was deep, the tangling of their lips desperate, as if they both knew that life was fragile and could be taken away in a heartbeat.

He broke away, his breathing raspy against her cheek. “Let’s never squander another moment that we have together.”

“I won’t.” Her own breathing was ragged.

This man, this life they’d been given together, the love they shared. They’d waited to be together. They didn’t know how long they had left. All they could do was make the most of every second of time they had together and never take it for granted.

She shifted and placed another kiss on his mouth, hard and filled with the promise of loving him forever.