CHAPTER 35
Anna
I felt a sense of pride wash over me as I sat back in Connor's home office, the soft glow of the computer screen illuminating my face in the dimming evening light.
The past week had been a whirlwind. Cleaning, organizing, photographing, writing descriptions until my fingers cramped, but seeing my vision finally come to life filled me with an indescribable sense of satisfaction. I did this. This is mine.
I'd poured my heart and soul into preparing the ranch for its new chapter. Now, as I meticulously uploaded the last few photos to my newly minted professional Airbnb account, a surge of excitement coursed through my veins, making my hands tremble slightly on the mouse.
With each click and the quiet hum of the computer processing, I felt myself getting closer to realizing my dream.
I had made strategic decisions, choosing to start slowly by listing just three of the six available cabins.
It was a calculated move, allowing everyone involved to acclimate to the new venture before diving in headfirst. Baby steps. Build it slowly. Do it right.
The cabins were more than just buildings to me now; they reflected my passion and dedication to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for our guests.
I'd pored over every detail, from selecting fresh linens, soft Egyptian cotton in neutral tones that felt luxurious without being pretentious, to choosing personalized décor that balanced rustic charm with modern comfort.
Each cabin had its own character. The largest one, which I'd named "Ponderosa," featured a stone fireplace and leather furniture that gave it a classic lodge feel.
"Meadowlark" was lighter and airier, with whitewashed wood and vintage Wyoming photographs on the walls.
"Stargazer" was the smallest but coziest, with a telescope on the porch and constellation maps framed above the bed.
I'd added touches I hoped would make guests feel at home: local wildflower arrangements, handwritten welcome notes, baskets of Wyoming-made soaps and lotions. Little details that showed care, that said, you're welcome here.
But it wasn't just the cabins that had my energy poured into them.
The barn had undergone a complete transformation, thanks to Jaxon's tireless efforts.
His strong hands and unwavering determination breathed new life into the old structure.
Fresh paint on the stalls, new lighting that made everything bright and welcoming, organized tack rooms that actually made sense.
With the adjacent ring now leveled, dragged, and ready for riding lessons, I felt confident that we were well on our way to creating a memorable experience for visitors.
The horses, my horses. I still couldn't quite believe Connor had given them to me.
They were healthy, well-trained, and perfect for beginners.
The thought settled in my gut with a gratifying certainty: This could actually work. This could really work.
My finger hovered over the mouse, the cursor poised directly above the "publish" button on the Airbnb website.
The weight of the moment settled on my shoulders, a mix of excitement and trepidation making my heart race.
I quickly cut off the spiral of negative thoughts before they could take root: What if no one books?
What if I fail? What if—no. I shook my head.
I'd worked too hard, planned too carefully, to let fear stop me now.
I took a deep breath, straightening my spine as I exhaled slowly. The cool air of the office kissed my skin, crisp and air-conditioned, sending a shiver down my back that had nothing to do with temperature and everything to do with anticipation. Do it. Just do it.
With a final, decisive click, I sealed my fate.
The page refreshed, and my listings sprang to life before my eyes, professional photos showcasing sun-drenched rooms and inviting spaces, descriptions I'd agonized over for hours, pricing that Connor assured me was competitive but fair.
The smile that spread across my face was one of pure, unadulterated joy. The culmination of weeks of hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of those I loved. Tears pricked at my eyes, happy tears this time, as I stared at the screen. I'm a business owner. I actually did it.
"I'm proud of you, Anna."
I jumped slightly, my hand flying to my chest as I spun in the office chair. Jaxon leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his chest, the look on his face made my breath catch, telling me he'd been watching for a while.
"How long have you been lurking?" I asked, but there was no heat in the question, just warmth and happiness bubbling up like champagne.
"Long enough to see you take the leap," he said, pushing off the doorframe. His footsteps were soft against the plush carpet as he made his way into the office, eyes never leaving mine. "The look on your face when you hit that button... Anna, you were glowing."
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I couldn't stop smiling. He perched on the edge of the desk beside me, body angled toward mine in a gesture of support and affection that felt as natural as breathing.
"I was terrified," I admitted, looking up at him. "Still am, a little. What if—"
"No what-ifs," he interrupted gently, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
His calloused fingers lingered against my cheek, and I leaned into the touch automatically.
"You did something amazing. You took an idea and made it real.
That takes courage." Courage. Me. Who would have thought?
I tore my gaze away from the screen, my smile growing even wider as I met Jaxon's eyes. The admiration I found there was overwhelming, almost too much to bear. It made my chest tight with emotion. Gratitude, love, and a fierce determination not to let him down, not to let any of this fail.
Without a second thought, I rose from my chair, my arms finding their way around his neck as I pulled him into a tight embrace.
The warmth of his body seeped into mine immediately, solid and real and grounding.
The steady beat of his heart was a soothing rhythm against my cheek as I nestled into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent of cedar and soap, my favorite.
"I couldn't have done it without you," I murmured against his skin, meaning every word. "The barn, the repairs, the heavy lifting. Literally all the heavy lifting. You made this possible."
His arms tightened around me, one hand cradling the back of my head.
"You would have found a way," he said quietly.
"You're stronger than you think, Anna. Always have been.
" I considered his words. Maybe strength didn't have to mean doing everything alone; maybe it could mean knowing when to accept help, when to lean on people who loved you.
Jaxon's eyes suddenly sparkled with mischief as he pulled back slightly, his hands sliding down to grip my hips. Before I could ask what he was thinking, he effortlessly lifted me into his arms.
I gasped, my legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as I clutched his shoulders for balance. "Jax! What are you—"
"Celebrating," he said simply, his voice dropping to that low, husky tone that never failed to make heat pool in my belly.
The thin fabric of my sundress, a light cotton number I'd thrown on that morning, did nothing to shield me from the heat of his body. I could feel every hard plane of muscle, every ounce of strength in his hands as they held me effortlessly.
"So," he drawled, raising an eyebrow, that crooked smile playing at his lips, "Connor's place or ours tonight?"
Ever since we'd christened his new mattress, a memory that still made me blush, we'd been inseparable, spending every night together in a blissful tangle of sheets and limbs.
We alternated between the comfort of Connor's house and the intimate sanctuary of Jaxon's cabin, each space holding its own unique charm.
But despite the undeniable pleasure of our nights at Jaxon's place, the first night had been hard.
My mind had been haunted by ghosts. Memories of being tied up, Isaac's cold voice, the gunshot that had echoed through that space.
Even with Jaxon's comforting presence and the delicious exhaustion that had followed our lovemaking, the memories had crept in, stealing my rest and leaving me shaken.
The second night, we'd sought solace at Connor's. The familiar surroundings had lulled me into a dreamless slumber, safely cocooned in Jaxon's protective embrace.
Last night, we'd tried the cabin again. It had been better. Not perfect, but better. The memories were fading, slowly replaced by new ones. Good ones.
I pursed my lips, a look of distaste crossing my features as I recalled something I'd overheard earlier. "Let's go to the cabin tonight," I decided, wrinkling my nose. "I'm pretty sure I heard Connor talking to Morgan, and she's coming over here."
The thought of Morgan strutting around Connor's house as if she had any right to be there after how she treated him left a bitter taste in my mouth. Deep down, I hoped that, upon Connor's return from the show, he and Harper might finally acknowledge the undeniable chemistry simmering between them.
But Harper, for reasons I couldn't quite fathom, seemed determined to keep her distance. That left Connor vulnerable to Morgan's manipulation. Her pretty lies, her false apologies. He deserved so much better than her.
Jaxon chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest and sending delicious vibrations through my body where we touched.
"Our place it is, then," he agreed, his lips brushing against the sensitive skin of my neck in a teasing caress that made me shiver.
"Can't say I'm disappointed at the prospect of having you all to myself tonight.
" A strong wave of desire hit me. God, the things this man does to me.