Saddled and Spurred (Blacktop Cowboys 2)

“I sure as hell am not gonna be without you for five months.”

Harper kissed his scowling mouth. “That’s sweet, but—”

“No buts.” A contemplative look entered his eyes. “How about if I move my trailer here? Then you can sneak off and spend time with me when you’ve got a break.”

“Think Renner will go for that?”

“I ain’t giving him a choice.” He swept a lock of hair behind her ear. “Besides, I won’t be needing the trailer at the ranch much longer anyway.”

She stared at him, confused.

“Seeing Hank and Lainie so happy in their own place made me want the same for us.” Bran dug in his pocket and pulled out an old-fashioned skeleton key, a key identical to the one he’d sent her earlier. “I’m finally ready to fix up my grandparents’ house and move into it. But only if you’ll live there with me, and help me make it a home—our home.”

She swallowed, trying hard not to cry, because he was giving her everything she’d ever wanted. “And here I thought you were offering me the key to your heart.”

“You’ve already got that. You’ve had it for a while now. I just had to trust you enough to let you use it. Every day. Forever.”

It was no use. Her tears fell unimpeded.

“Hey, now, what’s with the tears?” His face took on a slightly horrified, comical look. “You don’t think . . . You know that I’m not asking you to be my ranch hand, right? I’m asking you to be my wife.”

“Well, you weren’t exactly clear on the job description, Bran.” She sniffed. “And being your ranch hand has been a good gig so far.”

He framed her face in his hands and gently wiped her tears. “You’ve been a great ranch hand, but you’ll make an even better wife. Say you’ll marry me, Harper.”

“Yes, I’ll marry you, just as long as you can wait a few months for us to tie the knot.”

Bran’s smile was a thing of beauty. “I’ve waited my whole life for a woman like you. A few more months ain’t gonna matter.”

Epilogue

Five months later . . .

From the Muddy Gap Gazette—Maybelle’s Musings

The much-anticipated unveiling of the Split Rock Ranch and Resort took place last Saturday night after the wedding of Miss Harper Masterson to Mister Branford Turner.

Although I’m new to the Muddy Gap Gazette as the society reporter, as a lifelong resident of Muddy Gap, I’ve attended many weddings. But this wedding was truly special. The surprise addition of Harper’s sisters, Sergeant Liberty Masterson and Specialist Bailey Masterson, to the wedding party, wearing their United States Army uniforms as they escorted Harper down the aisle, will resonate throughout this community for years to come. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house—including mine. Harper looked lovely in a traditional ivory mermaid-style gown, while her intended, Bran, epitomized dashing in a Western-cut black tuxedo. The bride’s attendant was Celia Lawson. On the groom’s side was Hank Lawson.

The happy couple stuck around following the short ceremony for toasts and to cut cake, but left directly after for their honeymoon at an undisclosed location. Rumor has it they’ve gone fishing in the Caribbean.

Speaking of rumors . . . a couple of spats arose during the wedding reception, luckily after the bride and groom’s departure, leaving many locals wondering if all is as it seems with the Split Rock Ranch and Resort. Stay tuned for further reports.