by Kali Hart
The announcer starts the show, and the crowd around us erupts. I manage a couple of weak, unenthusiastic claps. He introduces the riders, same as last night, and I wait to hear Colt’s name. But I don’t.
“Sonya.” I’m sure I imagined that smooth, sexy voice. The crowd is loud, and my heart is in shreds. It has to be the delusions of a desperate woman. Maybe I don’t write romance novels, but dammit, I was certainly happy living in one.
“Hey,” says Jillian.
“I’m fine. Just ignore me.”
Jillian shoves at my shoulder. “You have a visitor.”
Colt steps in front of me, blocking the view. Because there are three other rows behind us, he quickly takes a knee. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” He’s panting, like he’s been running.
“Why isn’t your name on the board?” It’s the dumbest question I could ask, considering the man I thought I lost for good is kneeling before me.
“I’m disqualified.”
“What?”
“I missed the draw.”
“You didn’t. You wouldn’t—”
“I’m an ass. I’m sorry I left you in the restaurant.”
My heart stutters in my chest, and I think I might cry. I’m scared and relived and cautious, and my stupid emotions can’t handle feeling everything at once. “I’m sorry I lied, Colt.”
“I know why you did.”
“I’m not a writer. I mean, maybe someday—”
“You don’t have to write a romance novel, babe. Just come make one with me.”
Breath halts in my lungs as I’m sure I’ve heard him wrong. “But the event—”
“Losing you would be worse than any disqualification. I love you, Sonya. I know it’s fast, but I’ve never felt this connected to anyone in my entire life. I have to have you. The thought of you with some other guy makes me crazy. You belong with me. Only me.”
I cradle his face with my hands, desperate to kiss him. It feels like weeks have passed since our lips met, not simply hours. “You really love me?”
“Yes, I do.”
“I’m glad it’s not just me then.” I do kiss him then, not holding back despite the glares from some of the romance writers nearby, including Darla. “I love you, too, Colt. It doesn’t make any sense to me—it all happened so fast. I guess when you know, you know.”
“Say you’ll come back to Montana with me. Let’s create our happily ever after.”
I glance at Jillian, the only tie I have keeping me here. I’ll miss her…
“If you don’t say yes,” Jillian says, “I’ll tie you up in the trunk of my car and drive you there myself.” I have the greatest best friend in the world.
“Yes, Colt. Let’s do this.”
Epilogue
COLT
It’s been two blissful years since I first asked Sonya to move to Montana with me. Every day I’m certain things can’t get better, but they do.
“It looks like rain,” she says to me, stepping off the porch hesitantly in her boots. The best decision I ever made was buying her that pair of cowgirl boots. She looks so damn sexy in them.
I draw her into my embrace and give her a kiss that leaves us both gasping for air. She’s bravest when she’s a little lightheaded. “You’re getting on the horse, babe.”
“I don’t know about this…”
“You’ve ridden me plenty of times. I promise, Butterscotch is much easier. Less bumpy.” She bites that bottom lip, a flash of desire dancing across her eyes. It’s been two crazy years with Sonya traveling with me to most of the events. She even started writing a romance novel, but she won’t let me read it yet.
“Not the same thing.”
“I’m retiring at the end of the season. We’re going to ride horses together. A lot.”
“Then I’ll try when the season’s over.”
“Summon your inner Jane Harper and get your cute ass on this horse.” The words are as effective as Hudson convincing me to make a bet. Sonya approaches the horse with a new found bravery.
“You’re lucky I love you, Colt Wilder.”
I help her onto Butterscotch, not shy at all about grabbing her ass as it lifts into the air. I have plans for her tonight, and all of them involve the two of us naked. “Not as lucky as I am to have you as my wife.”
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