Chapter Thirty-Three
Reader, I married him.
“Reed, I’m going to marry him.”
There’s a long pause. “You’re going to marry a guy who locked away his crazy ex, embezzled money from his own company, and gave a billion dollars to his horses?”
“Correct.”
It’s the rare phone conversation between my brother and me. Months after returning to Resilience Ranch, I grow more sure every day that Colorado, Sugar Pine, the horses, and—of course—Chet are my forever home.
Since then, Mason has been caught and arrested, though for Tom and Gloria’s sake, Chet hasn’t pressed charges.
Birdy finished treatment; she’s now devoting her social media platform to mental health awareness.
And Chet and I have expanded the ranch so it can take more retired or mistreated horses.
Also, we’re using both the house and the blue barn, hosting people who are actually battling cancer.
They come for a complimentary week or two of “equine therapy.” It’s meant to enhance both their physical and emotional healing.
And since the horses get to engage in meaningful interactions and herd-like behavior, the money for this venture comes directly from their endowment.
Meanwhile, the horses pay Chet and me a modest (but fair) salary, plus benefits, for taking care of them.
In addition, Chet’s devoting some time to developing his new platform, Storefront, a virtual, interactive directory for small businesses.
But that’s a side project. Meanwhile, we’re saving up for a honeymoon to France and Italy, so Chet can show me all the amazing art museums.
Chet and I live in the trailer, which is small for two people, but we don’t mind being on top of each other, especially since we have this massive backyard.
At night, whenever it’s not raining, Chet sets up his film projector in the horse pasture, letting the equine therapy guests choose which movie they want to watch.
The sky’s the limit, as long as no horses were harmed during filming.
And—okay—Chet and I cheated by using the endowment to buy a better hot water heater for the trailer. Now, our showers can last longer than five minutes.
This is important, since we often shower together. Even if one of us is covered in manure.
I’m sitting by the firepit, watching the timid flames begin to grow. Chet, who just returned from a ride with Copper Cash, ambles out through the stable doors.
“Same old Jane Wreck,” Reed says through the phone.
Whatever. Neither the nickname nor my brother’s condescending attitude bothers me anymore. I’ve let go of my old insecurities.
“Thanks, Reed,” I say, voice genuine, as if he’s paid me a compliment. “I just wanted to let you know. It’ll be a small wedding, held here at the ranch. Mom and Dad will come, so of course you’re invited too. I’d love it if you were here.”
Silence. Then, “Thanks, Jane. That means a lot.” He sighs. “When’s the wedding?”
I give him the date, he says he’ll try to be there, and we make awkward chitchat for a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, Chet walks over from the stable. He sits by me near the firepit.
After I hang up, Chet says, “Reed?”
I nod. “He said he’ll try to make the wedding.”
Chet leans in, kissing me once on the forehead, once on the cheek, and once on the lips. But that last kiss is long and lingering. “You okay?” he asks.
I get up and climb into his lap. “Now I am.”
It’s the truth. Bront? will be my maid of honor. Axel Rose, Marigold, River, and Emma and Theo will also be at the wedding. And of course, all the horses, like Freckles, Copper Cash, Miss Adele, and Betty, will be part of the ceremony.
What more could I possibly want?
Chet and I alternate between kissing and talking, telling each other stories about the horses or our thoughts about what transpired throughout the day. Once the fire has burned itself out, I stand up and extend my hand. He takes it and holds it to his lips for a moment. “I love you,” he says.
“I love you too. Shall we go for a moonlit walk?”
“Lead the way,” he responds. Hand in hand, we take the old county fair road.
But no matter how far we go, Chet and I are already home.