by Ashley Kay
It’s pushing November, and I asked her to come with me on a short hike. Emphasis on short, because I will at some point have to carry her if I make her walk too far. I’ve brought her to another favorite hiking spot we stumbled upon during one of our many treks. We designated a spot for a firepit and claimed the plot of land as our own.
I hand her a picture from the last ultrasound appointment we had. I keep it in my wallet, a reminder of the little life I get to help raise.
Shrugging my shoulders, I say, “I can’t wait to meet him, so I wanted to keep the picture close.”
She smiles, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “You’re such a gooey man on the inside. Like a marshmallow.”
I quirk up an eyebrow. “A marshmallow? Really?”
“Yes, a marshmallow. You know, soft on the inside, but hot on the outside.” Laughing, she hands me back the picture. “I can’t wait to meet him too. What do you think we should name him? I know we talked about a few names, but anything stick out to you?”
I rub her swollen belly. “I was thinking maybe Alistair Charles Lee. After my father and yours,” I say shyly. I wish my father was still alive so he could meet his grandson, but I have to be content knowing he’s probably already privy to how my life turned out and is proud of me.
She puts her fingers together under her chin, her eyes shining. “That’s the perfect name.” She looks down, tapping her belly. “What do you think, little Alistair? You fancy a name like your grandpas?”
Smiling, I turn my face up to the sun. It’s bright, the air chilly and spiced with the last days of fall. The past few months have been amazing. Seeing my son grow inside of Savy put many things into perspective. I’ve learned that love is a battlefield. Thanks, Benatar. You must go out there and fight for it any way you can. You can suit up with so much armor that you’ll never find your way across the field, or you can march out exposed, prepared to take some risks and hits, knowing victory’s on its way. I’ve found a love worth fighting for and shed that suffocating armor along the way.
“I got something for you.” Reaching behind her, I pull out a long box.
“Where the heck did you hide that?”
“I had it out here waiting for us.”
She narrows her eyes. “You’re a smooth criminal. What is it?”
“Just open it and see,” I urge, rubbing my hands back and forth on the top of my thighs to diffuse my nervous energy.
She opens up the box and gasps. Pulling out a traditional long bow, the sleek wood gleams in the light. Her fingers are light as they skim the surface. The simple string system transports you back in time with its ancient yet tried-and-true design. Turning her face towards me, tears pool in her eyes.
“Oh, baby, don’t cry.”
“I’m just happy and emotional. I’ve wanted another one for such a long time since mine broke. Thank you so much.” She clutches it to her chest, joy radiating from her beautiful face.
I point to the other side with a shaky finger. “Read the engraving.”
Turning it over, she angles her head to read it. Her brows knit in confusion as she reads it out loud, “Savannah Montana Lee.” She gives me a side eye. “Babe, this says—” she cuts herself off when she sees me on one knee with a ring box. A hand flies to her face, and she doesn’t stop the tears from cascading down her puffy cheeks.
“Savannah Jo Martin, it would be an honor if you would accept this ring and be my wife,” my voice wavers, “I love you so much and would give anything to protect and care for you and our son for the rest of our lives. Will you marry me?”
She shoots into my arms; the blanket falling to the ground, and grabs my face to kiss me. “Yes, you crazy cowboy, I would love to be your wife.” Fusing my mouth to hers, I know my life is complete.
She pulls back, breathless. “I have something for you too.”
Standing slowly, she leans down and pulls a small box from her pack. Plopping it in my hands, I test the weight. “Are you sure these aren’t my balls I just handed over to you for the rest of our lives?”
She cackles. “Nope!”
Opening the box, I pick out a Timex watch similar to the one I lost during that fateful barn dance. I went back and searched for the damn thing, but never found it.
“Where did you get this?” I ask as I examine it, grazing a finger over the top. Same light feature and old school face.
“My dad. He had one and gave it to me when I told him what happened to yours. I know it isn’t the same one from your grandfather, but I noticed how you would always reach for your wrist to touch it even when it wasn’t there.”
Clearing my closed-up throat, I reply, “It’s awesome, thank you.” That she noticed, just solidified even more why this woman was crafted from my dreams.
“Since great minds think alike, I also had it engraved.” She bites her lip and smiles through it.
Turning it over, I smooth my thumb over the words. “To the Cowboy that roped my heart. Love, Savy.”
“It’s cheesy, but I figured you’d like it.” She shrugs, a hand absentmindedly stroking her protruding belly.
“I love it, thank you.” I slip it on, tightening it on my wrist.
Perfect fit.
Sighing, she settles in next to me, curling into my side, as we watch the sunset illuminate the sky in the most brilliant of colors. It’s in this moment I know—Montana, the place and the woman by my side, breathed me back to life.
EPILOGUE
PRESTON
Three years later…
“You ready, buddy?” I squat and set a helmet on his little head, strapping it under his chin. Looking up at me with honey hazel eyes, Alistair is the spitting image of his mother.
Has her attitude as well.
“Yep, yep.” He bounces around the mat, making it difficult to put the gear on him, so he’d be ready to climb.
“Come on, dude, you gotta stay still so daddy can get this stuff on you.”
Chuckling, Savy stands off to the side, watching as I wrangle our three-year-old son with the patience worthy of a saint, which I’m clearly sucking at.
“You sure he’s ready for this?” I ask as I get one strap locked despite his persistent wiggles.
“Yeah, he’s fine, best to get him started early.”
We’re hosting a rock-climbing event in honor of Greyson and I’s father that passed away, which started this whole journey out here in Montana. Even my mom is suiting up for a spin on the wall.
Montana has become my home in more ways than one. Greyson and I expanded SoS, adding more trails and more events, effectively making our place the most popular facility for miles. Savy and I built a farmhouse a bit off of the property and now sport chickens, goats, and of course Milkdud, whom Alistair likes to chase. Who knew that a city boy could turn into a cowboy?
“Uncle P, can I help Alistair up on the wall?” Theo steps over onto the mat and taps him on the helmet.
“Sure can. Just watch close, he’s had very little practice.”
I watch as he holds Alistair’s hand and guides him to the first rock. Theo has grown up so much, from a little devious boy, to a mature ten-year-old that can beat anyone at calf roping and charm them with the soft spirit of his mother. Scarlett’s off in the corner, quietly observing everything going on. She isn’t much of a rock-climber, but gazes with watchful eyes as her son and Alistair climb.
Arms wrap around my middle, and the scent of vanilla, mint, and strawberry shampoo invades my nose.
“Hi, baby.” I pull her around to my chest, kissing her hair and smoothing away her flyaways. My wife only grows more beautiful as time goes by. Her hair still falls down her back in waves, and I still like to grip it tightly in the throes of passion. I never grow tired of her like she once worried. If I’m honest, I love her more now than I did before.
“When do you think we should tell them?” Savy looks up at me through her thick lashes.
“Just wait. You know someone will ask you why you aren’t on the wall. Y
ou’re one of the most competitive people here.”
Not even two minutes later, Greyson comes sidling up next to us, hands on his hips, a bemused smile on his face. “Yo, Sav, what are you doing? Why aren’t you ready to climb? Don’t tell me, Preston knocked you up again. You know how much it sucked last time when you couldn’t climb for months and months.”
I wink at him and his mouth falls open. “No way, you seriously knocked her up again?”
Savy nods and laughs. “Yep, he sure did!”
Greyson cups his hands around his mouth and shouts, “Hey everybody, Savy is pregnant again!” I hear hoots and hollers from everyone in the room.
“That isn’t the only surprise,” I say, wiggling my eyebrows.
“Wait, don’t tell me, you’re pregnant too, brother.”
“Haha, hilarious. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You didn’t like it when I beat you last year at the wall, did ya?” I flick my hand into his side, and he jumps sideways only to come back at me, trying to put me in a headlock.
“Gentlemen, please, not in front of the kids,” Savy smirks, pointing to her belly.
“Kids?” Greyson looks confused, then clarity moves across his face. “There’s more than one?”
Savy and I look at each other.
“We’re having TWINS!” I shout and pick her up, spinning her around, hearing her squeal.
Greyson pretends to faint onto the mat before jumping back up to give us both hugs.
I turn to give my wife a squeeze. “Is this the life you envisioned for yourself?”
“Cowboy, it’s so much more.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ashley Kay is an emerging author of contemporary romance. This is her first novel and just one of many more to come!
Ashley is a domestic engineer, former school counselor, and lover of anything book and plant related. Hailing from the Midwest, she is a mom of three plus two fur babies and married to one manly husband that likes to hunt. She also can’t live without tacos and coffee.
For more information on upcoming books, giveaways, and projects, visit my website and sign up for my newsletter.
If you enjoyed this book, please leave a review! :)
www.ashleykaywriter.com
https://linktr.ee/ashleykayromancewriter
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, thank you readers for picking up this book. Without you, my dream would still be just a dream, now it’s a reality. To my beta and arc readers … you all are amazing and encouraged me to keep going!! THANK YOU!
Mom! You’re my biggest fan, the one who loves reading just as much as I do and my best friend, I love you.
Dad, our conversations are simply the best. We feed each others’ philosophical souls. Love you Pops.
Drea— 28 years of friendship. Holy Shit. You’re the Lynn to my Savy. Our mutual love for the Backstreet Boys, Velveeta Shells n Cheese, and sheet cake brownies will never go out of style! Now, find me that movie deal!
To the Best Little Book Club in Brownsburg. You ladies rock and I have loved meeting you every month for the past several years and reading new books I never thought I’d read.
Kaitlyn, our book talks are the best, you’re my book twin and I’m so happy we met and foster each other’s love for romance novels.
To my editor, Jasmin, thank you! I feel lucky to have had you be one of the first to read this baby novel of mine and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Can’t wait to continue working with you.
Hubby- I saved the best for last. Thank you for believing in me and my dream. I love you and the kids so damn much. You make me laugh and your beard is awesome for multiple reasons.
To anyone and everyone that has played a part in this journey. You all matter to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
ALSO BY ASHLEY KAY
Sneak Peek into Montana Heirs #2 Wildflower
Lynn
If it wasn’t for my best friend, Savy, I’d never go back to Montana. Seeing that I’m her maid of honor and in charge of catering, I have little choice. My hometown never shed its bullies no matter how much time has passed nor how false the rumors were.
Imagine my surprise and irritation when a wedding issue arises, forcing me to leave Florida a few days earlier. Did I mention my restaurant is in danger of going under because of a greedy hotel corporation? That effectively leaves no room for falling in love, right?
Wrong.
I didn’t know he’d be a villain masquerading as a hero.
Isaac
I’m not completely who I say I am. I have my reasons and I don’t expect anyone to understand, which is why seclusion and isolation is my brand of communication. It’s worked effectively for sixteen years.
Until now.
She makes me feel. She makes me think. She makes me want to be honest about who I really am. But once she discovers the real me, the one whose family is built on destruction, can I prove to her I’m not lying about my heart?
Another small town romance sweeps through Montana with unadulterated passion, unexpected twists, and a quest for redemption.
