Chapter 10
A month later, Liam leaned back against the fence post, watching the last streaks of sunset fade into the horizon. The ranch was quiet now, the animals settled for the night, and the kids had finally gone to bed after a long day of running wild across the pastures. The crisp evening air carried the faint scent of hay and earth, and for the first time in years, Liam felt like he could truly breathe. He had hired an assistant two weeks ago, and while Jacob Krimble was still learning the ropes, he seemed to fit in just fine with the other cowboys.
A soft laugh caught his attention, and he turned his head to see Rebecca walking toward him, her hair loosely tied back and her favorite old sweater wrapped around her shoulders. She carried two mugs of hot chocolate, the steam curling into the cool night air.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes, darlin’,” Liam said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as she handed him a mug. “What’s the occasion?”
Rebecca shrugged, settling onto the fence beside him. “No occasion. Just thought you could use a little something sweet after a long day.”
He chuckled, taking a sip of the hot chocolate. “You’re spoiling me, you know that?”
“Well, someone’s got to keep you in line,” she teased, her eyes sparkling in the fading light.
Liam set the mug on the fence post and turned to face her, his expression softening. “You’ve been doing that since the day I met you, but I gotta say that these last few weeks have been something else. It’s like we’re us again.”
Rebecca looked up at him, her cheeks flushing the way they had when they were young and falling in love. “It feels that way, doesn’t it?” she said softly. “Like we’ve finally found our way back to each other.”
He nodded, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I don’t ever want to lose this again, Rebecca. Life’s busy, sure, but that doesn’t mean we gotta let it push us apart. You and me, we’re the heart of this family, and if we keep that strong, everything else falls into place.”
Her smile widened, and she placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. “I feel the same way. No more letting the busyness of life steal this. We’ll make time, even if it’s just little moments like this.”
Liam slid his arm around her waist, pulling her closer. “Little moments like this are all I need, darlin’. You’re all I need.”
They sat in companionable silence for a while, the quiet sounds of the ranch wrapping around them like a warm blanket. Rebecca leaned her head against his shoulder, and Liam kissed the top of her head, grateful for the second chance they’d found.
When the stars came out in full, Rebecca tilted her head up to look at him. “You know what I’ve been thinking?”
“What’s that?” he asked, brushing his thumb over her hand.
“That we should plan something. Just us. Maybe a weekend away. Nothing fancy. Just time.”
Liam grinned, his heart swelling at her words. “I like the way you think, Mrs. Whitley. Just say the word, and I’ll make it happen.”
Rebecca laughed softly, a sound that made his chest tighten with love. “We’ll figure it out soon, but for now, this is perfect.”
And it was. As they sat under the blanket of stars, with the ranch quiet around them and their hearts full, Liam knew they would never let life’s busyness leave their love story stuck in the mud again. This was the life they’d built together, and no matter how messy or chaotic it got, their love would always be the foundation that held it all together.
Her Cowboy’s Valentine is a part of Christmas in Shooting Star Canyon . If you haven’t read how Liam and Rebecca got together, be sure to read Her Cowboy’s Coworker !