Page 112 of Almost Yours
“The rescue said she was neglected,” Rowan says quietly from the fence. “Not abused, just forgotten. Left in a pasture without much attention.”
My heart twists. “Well, she’ll never be forgotten again.”
I turn to look at him, this man who remembers every little thing I’ve ever mentioned. Rowan, with his calloused hands and quiet strength, who builds fences and clears pastures and makes my childhood dreams come true without me even asking.
“Come here,” I say, voice breaking.
He unlatches the gate and joins me in the paddock, moving carefully so as not to startle Echo. When he reaches me, I rise on my toes, pulling him down for a kiss that I hope says everything I’m feeling.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his lips. “I don’t even know what to say.”
His arms circle my waist, pulling me closer. “You don’t have to say anything.”
Echo nudges Rowan’s shoulder, making him laugh. He reaches up to stroke her neck, and the mare leans into his touch, clearly already comfortable with him.
“You’ve been spending time with her, haven’t you?” I ask, watching the easy way they interact.
He nods. “Had to make sure she’d be good for you. We’ve been getting acquainted for a while now.”
I shake my head in amazement. “How did you keep this a secret?”
He grins, looking a little smug. “I may have had some help. Your schedule at the clinic is pretty predictable, and Whitley was more than happy to be my accomplice.”
“Whitley knew?” I gasp. “That traitor.”
“She said, and I quote, ‘If this doesn’t make her marry you on the spot, nothing will.’”
Heat flushes my cheeks as I glance away, focusing on Echo to hide my reaction. Marriage. The word hangs between us, neither acknowledged nor dismissed.
“I just wanted to see you happy,” Rowan says softly, mercifully changing the subject. His arms wrap around me as we both watch Echo explore her new paddock.
“You make me happy,” I whisper, my voice catching. “Every day.”
As the sun begins to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold, we stay with Echo. I can’t bring myself to leave her side yet. Rowan seems content watching me, a soft smile playing at his lips.
“We should probably head inside,” he says eventually. “I’ve got some dinner waiting.”
“You thought of everything, didn’t you?” I marvel, giving Echo one last affectionate pat before reluctantly following Rowan toward the gate.
“I tried,” he admits. “But I was so focused on the horse surprise that dinner’s just takeout from that Chinese place you like.”
I laugh, sliding my hand into his as we walk back toward the house. “That sounds perfect.”
thirty-seven
. . .
Violet
Rowan left for his next trip this morning. He actually left a few days earlier than he was supposed to, though. He’s flying out to Arizona first to deal with Melissa…and I’m trying so hard to be okay with that.
I sit on the edge of my seat, watching Echo flick her ears in the morning breeze, and force myself to breathe. Deeply. Slowly. I keep telling myself that the empty space he usually fills beside me, the absence of his warmth, is temporary. That he’ll be back. That he’s always coming back.
But my stomach twists anyway, and my mind can’t help but play every possible “what if.”
What if Melissa refuses help? What if he gets frustrated or—god forbid—something goes wrong?
I shake my head, scolding myself. This isn’t about me. He’s facing things he’s spent a lifetime avoiding, and I’ve seen the weight that lifts when he finally lets himself act. That takes courage. I’ve seen how Rowan is when he’s wrapped up in responsibility—intense, focused, completely committed. That same focus he gives to me. And right now, he’s taking care of someone who can’t take care of herself. That’s Rowan, the man I love.
