34. Epilogue #2
Cleo jumped up and down, grabbing the phone from its stand. “Did y’all see that?” she screamed. “She won! She won! She fucking won!”
I could barely make out the sound of Doug’s tearful chuckle over the line as Cleo and I celebrated. “That’s our girl.”
“We’ll call you when we’re down there, Daddy!” Cleo said quickly. She didn’t even wait for a reply as she grabbed our things. Beer sloshed over the rim of her cup and onto my boot. Normally, I would’ve cared but today I didn’t. Not when I was so goddamned happy.
“There she is!” Cleo sang as we clocked Lennox across the back lot.
Lennox was standing near Strider at her table, talking to two men in cowboy hats.
One was around Lennox’s age and the other was older.
I’d wager a father and son. Each of them smiled down at her like she was a million fucking bucks.
Not that I blamed them, because to me she was, but I’d be a damn liar if I said my hackles weren’t raised just a smidge.
Now that Lennox was mine, I didn’t get as jealous as I used to. There was no point in it. She was my girl, and she’d be coming on my fingers, my tongue, and my cock later tonight. There wasn’t a motherfucker here that could change that.
Cleo yelled her sister’s name, and Lennox turned over her shoulder. Our eyes locked and her lips curled into the biggest smile. The sight sent my heart into overdrive, and I let adrenaline take over. I picked up my pace, jogging behind Cleo as she bounded toward her sister.
“We’d love if you considered joining our pro team,” one of them said, giving a tentative nod at our approach. “I know we talked about it before your hiatus, but?—"
Lennox, as cool as ever, gave them her megawatt smile. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m taking on responsibilities around the ranch, what with my dad’s retirement and all. This was the last thing on my rodeo bucket list to cross off before I hang up my hat.”
The younger one frowned. “You’re not seriously talking about throwing away this kinda money, are you?”
The older of the two patted the other on his shoulder. “Pay no mind to my son,” he said, giving a soft chuckle. “He don’t quite understand the allure of ranch life like some people. It’s all flashy lights and pretty smiles for him.”
The son mumbled something under his breath, but Lennox paid no mind. “If you’d told me two years ago I’d be walking away, I’d probably have told you the same thing.”
“Who’s taking over at Black Springs now? I heard Doug has some new buck on the training, but I’ve done business with your dad on the cattle side of things for longer than I care to admit. ”
I stepped to her side, placing my hand on the small of her back as I kissed her temple.
“That’s actually why I’m stepping away. My fiancé and I will be taking over,” she said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.
The diamond engagement ring on her left hand sparkled beneath the Canadian sun, and I tried my best not to puff my chest in pride.
I may have jumped the gun with my first proposal, but I made up for it later after she’d won the qualifier at Salina.
We weren’t rushing the wedding, but the ring had been burning a hole in my pocket since the day I bought it.
I didn’t want to wait another day to make her mine, to show her I was all in.
The old man smiled. “Well, in that case, I look forward to working with you in some capacity.” He reached out, offering his hand to both of us. “It was a pleasure meetin’ you both.”
The moment they were gone, Cleo wrapped her arms around Lennox’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “There’s our star! You freaking did it!”
“Oh my god, I know!” Lennox squealed. “I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t think I’d make it there for a second. This old guy,” she said, throwing her thumb over toward Strider, “was a little slow around that first barrel.”
The horse let out a deep sigh like he was calling her out for her choice of words.
“Don’t listen to her,” Cleo said, looking over her sister’s shoulder. “You did great, boy.” She pulled her phone out of her pocket. “Dad and Josie have been blowing up my phone. I told them we’d call when we got down here but they’re being impatient. One sec.”
As Cleo stepped to the side to call home, I sidled closer to Lennox. She slid her arms around my neck, pulling me in for a hug. I couldn’t help but tear up a bit. “You fucking did it, killer,” I whispered. “I’m so goddamn proud of you.”
She pulled back, eyes softening as she took in the state of me. “Are those tears for me, baby?” she asked, wiping away a stray tear.
“Nope,” I said, shaking my head, but I wasn’t fooling anyone. “Must’ve gotten some dust in my eye.”
Lennox smiled, keeping one arm around my neck as the other plucked the hat off her head.
She sat it on mine before closing the distance and kissing me deeply.
It was too small, but neither of us cared.
It was the implication that mattered. “I can see through the dust, cowboy. You’re not fooling me. ”
“Is that right?” I asked.
“Mmhm.”
“What do you see then?”
She was quiet for a moment, contemplating her answer before she gave it. “You. I always see you. Your love for the ranch, for our family, for me. How you’re the first one at the barn in the morning and the last one to leave at night. The way you put everyone and everything before yourself.”
Goddammit, now she was really gonna make me cry. “You see all that, huh?”
Lennox nodded. “I see more than you know.”
I grabbed her left hand and brought her ring to my lips, kissing the shimmering gem. It was beautiful. A large marquise cut diamond time atop a golden band. I didn’t know shit about rings, but Josie and Lincoln had both helped pick it out.
I wasn’t quite sure where this life would take me, but there was one thing I knew for certain.
“All I see is you, sweetheart.”