Page 30 of Bronco
“You mean because of the website I built? It wasn’t that hard,” I tell him.
“No, but that’s impressive too. I’m proud of you because of who you are. How you keep going no matter what happens. How big your heart is and how kind you are to everyone else. You’re a good person.”
She swallows hard and drops her gaze back to her laptop. “Thanks.”
She doesn’t say anything else, and we just sit there in silence for long moments, soaking in the evening air and letting dusk wash over us.
We’re alone and everything is quiet until Ridge shows up. He appears underneath the porch light holding his hat in his hands, and I know that look on his face.
He tips his head to Lauren. “Sorry to interrupt your evening.”
She gives him a soft smile. “No big deal. I know Bronco is a busy man.”
“You got a minute for me, boss?” he asks, even though he’s probably ten years older than me, maybe more. He’s the oldest guy on this ranch, and from what Lauren says, the women are going to go crazy for him at the auction.
I nod to Ridge. “I’ll meet you in our usual spot.”
“Is everything okay with him?” she asks softly when he’s walked away.
“He’s fine. I’ll be back later. Keep my side of the bench warm.” I press a gentle kiss to her lips before I go to find him.
There’s a winding path behind the house that I take until I arrive in the grove of magnolia trees. I planted these trees after Lauren told me that magnolia trees are her favorite. They haven’t bloomed yet, but I’m hoping next summer is the year they finally do.
Ridge is near one of the trees, running his hand along the bench that I made just for Lauren.
“Good craftsmanship,” he compliments, like we’re out here to discuss my woodworking skills, which aren’t nearly as strong as Vale’s were. Except he isn’t here anymore.
“Again?” I ask, the one word causing my heart to pound as hope flares. I’ll never stop hoping that we’ll get to see him again. As much for Lauren as for me.
“There may have been a sighting,” he says in the cautious tone he uses when he doesn’t want me getting excited. He has contacts around the globe that are constantly on the lookout.
I squint at the grainy image of a bearded man on his phone. “It’s hard to tell,” I say, even as a lump forms in my throat. Could this be him? Could this be Vale? Is the nightmare finally over?
“I’ll follow up on it and send you a text message if there’s good news. Are you going to tell Lauren about this?”
I shake my head, because this is the fourth time in two years that Ridge has brought me a grainy picture with the hope that we have found one of the bravest men I’ve ever known. With each disappointment I’ve found myself sobbing and grieving him all over again. I can’t imagine doing that to Lauren.
“What if we do find him? What are you going to say to her then?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”
Chapter 11
Lauren
I wake up feeling the warmest I’ve felt in years. I glance over to see Bronco staring down at me. His expression is one of contentment and pure delight.
“What is it?” I ask, reaching to pat my hair. I hope I don’t have a major case of bedhead.
Last night, I tried to go to my room, the guest room where I’ve been staying, but he grabbed my arm.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked in that deep, rumbly voice that always makes my insides flutter.
That’s how I ended up sleeping in his bed. Well, sleeping is the wrong word. We made love so many times I lost count. Every inch of me has been kissed, caressed, and touched by Bronco. His lovemaking isn’t just gentle, it’s thorough. So very thorough.
“It makes me happy to wake up next to you,” Bronco says, that soft smile still on his face.
I fight a yawn and glance toward the sheer curtains. Underneath the covers, I flex my toes but my leg feels amazing this morning. “It’s still dark out.”
