Chapter Eleven #3
“Huh, could have fooled me. Whenever he looked your way, he seemed besotted.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “And even if he’s on the fence about committing, when did a child of mine ever back down without a fight?”
She stared back into her father’s eyes, the same color as hers, and let his words sink in, really sink in. About Royal and Houston being similar. About fighting for what she wanted.
He continued, “I made the mistake of paying more attention to business than to my marriage and I paid the price for that. So have you kids. Learn from my mistakes.”
The rare glimpse of vulnerability in her father touched her heart and pushed aside barriers of her own making. She’d enjoyed her time at Jesse’s ranch, working alongside him, riding to check the cattle, watching sunsets together on his porch.
Dreams spun into possibility. Esme Perry—a wife, a mother, an entrepreneur.
Maybe she could have the best of both worlds by working remotely.
Why had she gotten it into her head that she had to wait to establish her career before even considering motherhood?
They could also share in the Texas Cattleman’s Club world and she would still be connected to her family.
She arched up on her toes to kiss her dad on the cheek, a plan to woo Jesse already forming in her mind. “Thanks, Dad. Do you mind if I borrow that old truck of yours I used to learn to drive? I think my Christmas plans just changed.”
“Sure,” he answered without hesitation. “Just remember, even restored, that sucker’s got a tricky clutch.”
With a final look at the room full of her family and friends, at the stunning renovations now complete and the club ready to launch, Esme felt her world settle into place. She would always enjoy Houston, but her heart was in Royal now.
She had fallen head over heels in love with Jesse Stevens. And damn straight, Perrys fought for what they wanted.
The night was still young. If she made good time, she could be in Royal to celebrate Christmas Eve with Jesse.
Jesse was decidedly lacking in the holiday spirit, in spite of his decked-out house.
The decorations only served as a reminder of all he’d left behind in Houston and how he would be spending Christmas Eve alone.
He’d called his sister, exchanged holiday greetings, but then she was off to enjoy her vacation.
Why in the hell he’d thought coming to the stables would be better was beyond him.
Esme had permeated every part of his world until there was nowhere to step without thinking of her, wanting her.
Ghosts of their time together whispered from every corner of his ranch.
And he had no idea how to find peace with her absence.
The familiar scents and sounds of his stable at night did little to soothe his restless spirit. He just kept thinking of how he would want to share the moment with Esme.
He stroked Duke’s nose, wishing those wise brown eyes could offer him some wisdom. “Well, boy, I’ve made a mess of things, haven’t I?”
The horse whinnied in response, shaking his mane. When he was a kid, he used to do this with Apollo. Tell his horse his secrets, dreams, regrets. The act steadied him. At least, a bit.
“I’m already regretting my decision to let her go.” He couldn’t sleep. He couldn’t eat. His life was empty without her. “This ranch means nothing to me without her.”
Never had he imagined a moment where the ranch felt like it wasn’t enough for him. Sure, he appreciated his horses, his house, the rolling grounds. But he couldn’t help but notice its expanse. How big it was. How empty it was.
Pawing the ground, Duke swung his head toward a mare in the next stall. The Appaloosa mare nickered softly.
Everyone was partnering up. Horses included, it seemed. “I want what my married friends at the Texas Cattleman’s Club have. A sense of belonging to a family.”
That hadn’t changed. He just wanted it all with Esme.
Duke nuzzled Jesse on the shoulder. Those brown eyes stared back at him, catching him up short.
He knew the horse couldn’t answer. Not really. Still, the flick of Duke’s ear let him know he was listening. Stroking the horse’s neck, he kept replaying the memory in his mind of meeting Esme. Of all that life with her seemed to promise. Of all that he’d thrown away.
Jesse’s mind circled back around to how this ranch meant nothing without her. How he’d wanted that family with Esme. And everything clicked into place with startling clarity.
For some lame-ass reason, he’d thought that he could only have his dream family here in Royal.
As he rocked back on his boot heels, taking in his stable, thinking about his ranch, he also thought about the club here and the branch starting in Houston. And he realized the heart of that organization beat in either location.
Friends. Family. Community. Home wasn’t about a building, or even a plot of land. It was about loving people and having them return that love.
It was still a few minutes shy of Christmas Eve, but there was nothing to say he couldn’t make his holiday miracle happen now.
After shooting off a text with instructions for his foreman, Jesse made fast tracks outside, toward the house. He could be packed and on the road in less than ten minutes, but even that felt like an eternity.
Ten minutes later, he settled behind the wheel, a thermos of coffee beside him for the nighttime trip to Houston. Only a few hours separated him and Esme.
Mind made up, he turned the ignition key.
He was ready for the journey. He needed to see her.
To fight for her. The woman who made every room and space light up with energy and love.
He’d been a fool to cast that aside, but he wouldn’t let that get in the way of winning her back and healing her heart.
Just as he hit the gas, headlights shone in the distance, barreling down the long drive toward him. He scratched his head, frustrated at what might be a delay. He wasn’t expecting anyone.
The vehicle stopped in front of him, his eyes taking a moment to adjust to the bright lights from what appeared to be a restored classic truck with a big red bow on the grille. He held up a hand, blotting out the glare as the door was flung open and a pair of shapely long legs stepped out.
A woman wearing sky-high red leather heels.
Jesse put his truck in Park, a smile building inside and spreading to his face. His heart slugged in his ears, each beat an echo of her name.
Esme.
He didn’t know what she was doing in a vintage truck, a magnificent ride that at another time he would have been jonesing to drive. It was on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from her Porsche.
But then, everything about this woman was unpredictable. Perfectly so. He wouldn’t have her any other way.
He hit the ground running, his strides eating up the space between them as she ran into his arms, leaping into his embrace. He spun her around, his face buried in her hair, the scent and feel of her filling his senses just as she filled his life.
Easing her to the ground, he sealed his mouth to hers and she met his kiss fully, her hands on either side of his face. No hesitation. He didn’t know why she’d forgiven him. He was just glad to his soul that she had.
Jesse skimmed a final kiss over her lips before angling back, enjoying the way the stars were reflected in her eyes. “Nice ride.”
“Turns out I’m a fan of trucks and a certain cowboy.” She tapped his Stetson.
“And I’m a fan of you.” He ran his hand down her sleek blond hair, burying his fingers in the silken strands. “I was just coming to you, but I’m glad we don’t have to wait any longer. Every day without you has been miserable. I’ve been a brooding mess since you left.”
“Oh, Jesse,” she sighed, looping her arms around his neck. “I’ve—”
“Shhh.” He kissed her quiet. “I need to speak first, especially after you took such a leap to drive all the way here. I didn’t mean what I said about wanting someone else to be my wife.
I was just afraid I couldn’t make you happy here in Royal.
So I want you to know I’m willing to move, like Cord is doing. ”
Eyes dancing, she drew teasing circles along his back. “Thank you for that beautiful offer, and a couple of weeks ago, I might have been wrongheaded enough to have accepted. But now I know my heart and my future are here in Royal.”
He couldn’t believe his ears or his luck. More than luck, this was a Christmas miracle beyond any he could have imagined. And right on schedule as the night slid into Christmas Eve.
Jesse looked into the eyes of the woman he knew he would love for the rest of his life. “Merry Christmas, Esme. You’re the best gift I could have ever received.”
“And Merry Christmas to you, cowboy.” She pulled his Stetson off and dropped it on her head. “I can promise you, the celebrating has only just begun.”