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T he day after the barbecue at the Halsteads’, I asked Julie to watch Caleb for a few hours.

It occurred to me that I hadn’t taken Briar out on a real date yet.

Until now, we’ve mostly only had nights together—sneaking in and out of each other’s beds and sharing stolen moments in the dark.

She deserves to be spoiled, and I want to show her that she means more to me than convenience and chemistry.

“Jensen, this is silly,” she mumbles, tightening her grip on my shoulders. “I could walk if you’d let me take the blindfold off.”

I adjust her position on my back, legs wrapped around my waist, and give her thighs a gentle squeeze. “Patience, sugar. We’re almost to our first stop.”

“Which is where?” she whispers, giving my earlobe a playful nip. “Let me guess, we’re going to check the irrigation lines?”

I shift my head toward her, pressing a kiss to her nose. “Not quite.”

“Are we going to fix the broken fence post in the eastern pasture?”

I chuckle. “I’d like to think what I have planned is more romantic than that.”

“Well, I hope you know where you’re going, because it feels like we’re going in circles.”

She’s not wrong.

I met her at the ranch house after work so we could drop Caleb off. I told her we had plans but kept the details under wraps. I wanted to keep it a surprise up until the last minute. That’s why I blindfolded her and gave her a piggyback ride around the garden and chicken coop a few times.

The goal was to disorient her before heading over to one of the storage sheds where I had Walker park a four-wheeler. They’re used to check cattle, haul feed, and navigate through areas where the truck can’t go—and it seemed like the perfect way to get us to where we’re going for our date.

He gave me grief for asking for his help and even tried to rope me into another Saturday of free labor. But when I mentioned it was a favor so I could do something special for Briar, he begrudgingly agreed “out of the goodness of his heart.” His words, not mine.

“We’re here,” I say enthusiastically.

I lower myself so Briar can get off, making sure her feet are on the ground before easing my grip on her legs.

She reaches for her blindfold. “Can I take this off now?”

“Not just yet.”

I want her on the four-wheeler first so she doesn’t see the cooler and bag strapped to the back rack and spoil the rest of what I have planned.

“Jensen Harding, are we about to go on a chicken heist? Because I’m pretty sure Charlie and Birdie will have a lot to say if we leave them out.”

I cup her elbow as I guide her across the dirt pathway. “Trust me, I’d never dream of going on a rescue mission without your partners in crime.”

I’ve been told Charlie’s keeping score, and I’m public enemy number one for stealing all of Briar’s time.

How can she blame me when being with Briar is one of the best parts of my day?

Whether we’re with Caleb and Ziggy in the backyard, or it’s just the two of us on the porch at night with cups of spiked hot cocoa, I’ve become addicted to her touch, her laugh, and the comfort she offers that feels like home.

“Will you tell me what we are doing?”

“Going for a ride,” I say as I lead her to the four-wheeler. “Our destination is top secret, but I can promise there won’t be any hard labor involved. Unless you count all the ways I plan to make you come.”

“You keep talking like that, and we might not make it to wherever we’re going,” she murmurs.

“Normally, I’d say that’s a good thing, but we’ve got a date to get to.” I plant a kiss to her temple before bringing us to a stop.

“Okay, careful now. I’m going to help you get on a four-wheeler,” I say, guiding her to the seat. I keep one hand on her waist as she swings her leg over. When she’s settled, I slip the blindfold off and Briar squints against the light, her gaze bouncing between me and our surroundings.

“A shed? Wow, talk about getting in the mood.” She smirks, grabbing my shirt and tugging me close for a kiss.

“I mean, you are kissing me, so I must’ve done something right,” I reply, nipping at her lip. “We better get going before the sun sets.”

“Ready when you are, cowboy.”

I give her one more kiss before climbing onto the four-wheeler in front of her, her knees brushing against my thighs. The key is already in the ignition, and once I’m settled into my seat, I turn it, and the engine comes to life with a satisfying hum .

Briar winds her arms around me, holding on tight as I ease the four-wheeler forward. We follow a dirt trail that skirts the edge of the property. This section of the ranch isn’t fenced, just open land stretching to the tree line in the distance.

The vast Montana landscape unfolds before us, with golden grass swaying in the breeze and wildflowers painting the fields with splashes of color.

In the distance, jagged mountain peaks pierce the sky, which glows with a soft blend of gold and peach as the sun hangs low, casting a warm light across the pastures.

The air is crisp, rich with the scent of earth and pine, and the gentle rustle of the wind adds a quiet soundtrack to the peaceful atmosphere.

Briar’s body presses into mine with every dip and rise of the terrain, her front flush against my back.

Her chin rests on my shoulder, and she glides her hands along my chest, the slow drag of her touch leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.

I ease off the throttle, discretely adjusting myself, unable to control my physical reaction to her hands on me.

The hum of the engine dies as we come to a stop near a knoll where the land slopes toward a winding creek, sunlight glinting off the water’s surface.

Trees lean toward the bank, offering shade, and birdsong filters down from the branches, mingling with the stream’s gurgling.

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to kick off your boots, stretch out on the grass, and forget the rest of the world exists, which is exactly what I intend to do—with Briar by my side.

I hop off first and turn around to help her off.

She looks around, already smiling. “Did you know this is my favorite spot on the ranch?”

I flash her a knowing look. “Julie might have mentioned it.”

When deciding where to take her, I wanted to avoid the busy diner or the coffee shop, where half the town would eavesdrop while sipping their drinks.

Instead, I looked for somewhere more intimate that she’d enjoy.

Julie told me this is where Briar comes when she wants an escape.

She brings a book or her sketchpad, filled with ideas for her nonprofit and lets her mind drift from the demands of everyday life.

I unstrap the cooler and basket from the cargo rack on the back of the four-wheeler and carry them toward the creek, setting them down on a flat rock.

Briar tilts her head, studying me. “What do you have there?”

“I thought we could have a picnic by the creek.”

She watches as I pull a blanket from the basket and spread it out on the grass, taking out a plate from the cooler covered in plastic wrap. It’s filled with thin slices of bread, brie, smoked turkey, an assortment of fruit, and a couple of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut into triangles.

Briar’s eyes widen, her eyes flickering to the spread. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

“You haven’t seen the best part.” I pull out a thermos of hot chocolate and a mini bottle of whiskey.

She laughs, shaking her head in amusement. “Well, aren’t you full of surprises today?”

“Only for my favorite girl.”

“Charming and a sweet talker? That’s a dangerous combination, cowboy.”

“Can’t help myself when you’re around, darlin’.”

After setting out the food and thermos, I ease onto the blanket, reclining on my side and propping myself on one elbow.

I take off my hat and set it aside before motioning for Briar to join me.

She lowers herself down, stretching out on her stomach to face me, her hand brushing against mine as she lets out a contented sigh.

She takes a grape and pops it into her mouth. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Are you glad you brought Caleb to Bluebell? ”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation. “It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

In more ways than I expected.

Briar’s been a guiding light for Caleb, offering him patience and love from the moment she met him.

She’ll never replace Amelia, but she’s created space for him to grieve and heal, which I couldn’t have done on my own.

My feelings for her are a tangled mix of gratitude, admiration, and a magnetic pull so fierce it pushes the boundaries between reality and fantasy.

As much as we need to talk about what happens when summer ends, I’ve been avoiding it.

The past few weeks have been incredible—both in terms of my time spent with Briar and the joy of hearing Caleb speak again.

I have to make several big decisions, but for just one more night, I want to pretend that nothing is changing and this little world we’ve built is here to stay.

Briar toys with a loose strand of her hair before tucking it behind her ear.

“I’ve been wanting to ask for a while… Why did you leave Bluebell in the first place?

I know things were bad with your parents, but you had the Halsteads, too.

” Her eyes flicker to mine, and she quickly adds, “You don’t have to answer if you’d rather not talk about it. ”

In the past, I would’ve shut down and gotten defensive, but it turns out Caleb’s not the only one benefiting from therapy. After several conversations with his therapist, I’ve learned the value of being open to talking things through, even when the topics bring up old wounds.