Page 53 of Hard To Fall
“Are you asking me to stay, cowboy?”
He nods, a smile spreading across his face. “Begging, actually.”
“Was that so hard?” I tease.
He thinks for a moment before answering. “What did you and my brother say about long days and short nights?”
“A long day's work makes for short nights, meaning you won’t fall in love with a one-night stand because you’re too tired.”
He kisses me softly. “Good thing I never had a one-night stand. Turns out, it wasn’t so hard to fall, after all.”
EPILOGUE - COLT
A week after the rodeo,the arena smells more like coffee than dust.
That’s how I know things are different.
The stands are empty, but the place isn’t quiet. There’s movement everywhere—boots crossing dirt, voices drifting from the barns, the low hum of work getting done without urgency or panic.
It’s forward movement, and already the next event is being planned.
I lean against the rail and watch a couple of younger riders warming up. I correct one without raising my voice. He listens, adjusts his hat, and does it again. It’s like a flashback of when I would tell Levi how to make himself better. Only this kid doesn’t flip me off.
“You gonna stare at them all day or actually help?”
I glance over my shoulder and find Lily walking toward me, sunglasses pushed up in her hair, iPad under her arm like she belongs here.
Because she does.
“I am helping,” I say. “I’m supervising.”
She snorts. “You’re brooding.”
“Multitasking.”
She steps in close, bumping her hip against mine. Very PG for the crowd, except she pats my ass when the kids turn the other way. It’s the kind of touch that says we’re together, but also lets me know she’ll be wrapped around me tightly tonight.
“How’s the knee?” she asks.
“Still attached,” I say. “Doc would be thrilled.”
She smiles and presses a quick kiss to my jaw like she’s been doing it her whole life. We haven’t set a surgery date yet, but Doc is allowing me to choose it when I’m ready. It will be soon. I know it has to be, but for now, I promised not to push my luck with a ride.
A truck crunches over gravel behind us, and we both turn to see who’s coming.
“No shit.” She laughs out loud and turns to face the new arrival, arms crossed, hip popped, as the truck comes to a stop twenty-five feet away.
I follow her gaze and see a woman stepping out. She looks like Lily—same blonde hair, same build, but seemingly older. Sharper. Her sunglasses are in place like she’s already made a decision to keep newness at bay.
She pushes those glasses to the top of her head and takes a look around before locking eyes with Lily. And then she mimics her pose, crossed arms, and hip popped. The grin that breaks out across her face is all love.
“What are you doing here?” Lily calls out.
“You didn’t text me back.”
“So you booked a flight?”
“Had to make sure my baby sister was being treated right.” Neither of them moves, but I feel her sister's eyes sweep over me.
