Page 30 of The Rancher’s Bride

“You’re demanding,” she says, pressing her thumbs deeper.

“You knew that before you married me.”

Her thumbs press deep beside my spine.

“Christ.”

“Good?” she asks.

“Don’t stop.”

She works another knot loose, and I decide shoulder rubs might be the greatest thing marriage has to offer.

“You looked handsome today,” she says.

I open one eye. “Did I?”

“Very handsome.”

I turn my face toward her. “How handsome?”

She sighs as though this is a burden. “Your shoulders looked huge in that shirt.”

“Keep going.”

“And those pants made your ass look incredible.”

I turn my head toward her. “Better than the shoulder rub.”

“I thought you might enjoy that.”

“You got anything else?” I ask.

She lets her gaze move over me. “You’re strong. Sexy. Ridiculously good-looking.”

I roll over, catch her by her beautifully wide hips, and pull her beneath me. She laughs as I settle between her thighs.

“I wasn’t finished,” she protests.

“You can finish later.”

7

EPILOGUE 2 – SABRINA

10 YEARS LATER

The train looks almost exactly the way I remember it.

Same dark windows. Same worn metal steps. Same long row of cars stretching alongside the station platform. Tonight, though, Christmas lights run along the roof, a giant wreath covers the front, and cheerful music plays from speakers near the ticket office.

Ten years ago, I stepped off this train carrying everything I owned in two suitcases.

Tonight, I stand beside it with three children bundled in winter coats.

“Is Santa really inside?” Brielle asks, bouncing hard enough that both of her braids move.

“That’s what the sign says,” I tell her.