“I’d always been pretty good at telling who was interested in me solely because I’m Cody Hart’s only child. There aren’t many ranches like this—it’s extremely financially successful, and someday, it will all be mine—but Garrett was the one I didn’t see past. I fell so hard for him. If he would’ve proposed, I know I would’ve said yes. I should’ve known better.”
I take a deep breath, letting my anger simmer. “Kacey, look at me, please.”
She swallows before slowly turning to face me, finally looking up to meet my eyes.
“I’m so sorry that happened to you. No one deserves that. You are more than this ranch, you understand that, right?”
“Yes. I do now,” she whispers. “He didn’t care about me at all. He never did. After I overheard him, we had a huge argument. He tried to gaslight me and turn it all around on me, but I knew then all he cared about was trying to be next in line to the ranch.” Her voice changes altogether when she says, “It taught me a valuable lesson though.” I can tell she’s not angry or even sad, she’s resigned.
It all makes sense now. This is why she won’t let me in, she doesn’t trust anyone. And I can’t say that I blame her.
“I’m guessing that lesson has something to do with the reason you’ve kept me at arm’s length.” I have to say it. I’ve seen the way she looks at me, she feels it, too. She just won’t let herself take the chance.
Her eyes snap to mine before she quickly looks away. “Yes. I haven’t dated since. I can’t bring myself to trust anyone’s intentions.” She pauses and looks back to me. “But if I could, I’d want it to be you.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her about Megan. About how I don’t date either, how her betrayal changed me—broke something inside of me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to share my life with another woman again, but I realize now I want that withKacey. I’m not sure when it happened but I do. But now isn’t the time to dump all my baggage on her, so I push the thoughts out of my mind.
“You told me once I’m the most patient man you’ve ever known. I’m patient enough to wait until I’ve earned your trust, Kace. Thank you for telling me.” I open my truck door. “Come on, I’ll walk you up.” I climb out of the truck and go around to open her door.
She turns to face me when we reach her doorstep. I hold both her hands in mine and look into her eyes. “If you ever need anything, anyone, or even just a chauffeur who will walk you to your door—” This earns me a small smile. “—you can always count on me. I care aboutyou, Kacey.”
“Thanks, that means a lot. You’re leaving soon, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I have rodeos I’ve entered, and Trey has been waiting for me.” I rub the back of her hand with my thumb, dreading telling her goodbye.
She looks down at our hands. “What are you doing tomorrow?”
I was planning to leave tomorrow. It would give me an extra day at home before I leave for the summer. But if she wants to hang out, I can leave the next day. “Not much. I don’t have any clients scheduled. I just need to pack and load the truck.”
“Would you want to go for a ride? If you have time.”
I can see her cheeks turning red and I smile before answering, “Yeah, sweetheart, I’ve got time.” I let go of her hand to cup the back of her head. Pulling her in, I give her a kiss on the forehead. Unlike before, she feels relaxed and comfortable in my arms. Holding her feels right.
“Night, Kace.”
“Night, Knox.”
I head down the steps and get halfway to my truck before I turn around. “Plus, I have to come back—I have three questionsI’m dying to ask you.” I give her a wink and hear her grumble something under her breath that sounded a lot like “left late” before turning to head inside.
Chapter 22
Kacey
Igive up at 5 a.m. I haven’t been able to sleep all night, so I might as well get up and have some coffee. It’s either lie in bed and think about Knox or drink coffee and think about Knox.
I choose coffee.
After I make my way to the kitchen and grab a cup along with some fruit, I settle on the couch with my favorite blanket. I’ve gone over and over my conversation with Knox last night. I can’t believe I told him about Garrett. I’ve only ever told Jessie and Carson, no one else. That alone shows how much of my trust he’s already earned in just a few short weeks.
Riding home from the rodeo with him, after spending the day having fun, laughing with him and seeing a glimpse of how things could be if we were together, I felt like he needed to know. It isn’t him that’s stopping me from giving him a chance, it’s me.
Over the last few weeks, he has shown me time and time again that he wants to get to know the real me. Not rancher Kacey, or roper Kacey—just me, Kacey. No matter how many times I triedto create distance, he just showed up again the next day, being the same sweet, kind, and patient man.
I’m still scared to let him in, but I can’t completely keep him out any longer, either. I know he’s leaving, and I have the world’s worst timing, but maybe my dad is right. He could always come back.
Half an hour later I can’t sit and think about this anymore. I need to get up and do something productive. I start cleaning my house and doing some meal prep for the next few days before heading to the barn around 7 o’clock for chores. My phone vibrates while I’m prepping grain buckets.
Knox
