Chapter Fifteen

Just like he promised, Colton returned. It was two minutes before the DJ turned on the music, and Gus felt like she was sitting on a pincushion waiting to see if he would follow through.

But show up he did, wearing dark Wranglers and a cowboy hat that made her want to leave the dance that minute and take him home to her bedroom.

There would be time for that later, she reminded herself.

Their song was playing. The one that started them down this path at Steph’s birthday.

Colton smiled and held his hand out to her.

Gus giggled as she accepted, and he spun her against his chest, his arm wrapped around her. His strong hand held her hip against his as they swayed to the music.

A few couples away, she spotted Jace and Hailey talking with some other couples, laughing at whatever stories they were sharing. Ty, however, stood at the edge of the park away from everyone. His arms were crossed, and one boot was kicked up on the fence.

“I could do this forever,” Colton whispered in her ear, pulling her focus back to the man she loved. That husky growl always seemed to make her body grow soft and warm.

He tightened his arms around her until she could no longer tell where he ended and she began.

“Stay with me tonight?” His blue eyes were serious as he gazed down at her.

“Of course. And many more nights.” She reached up to her tiptoes and kissed her man, claiming Colton as hers in front of the entire town.

They stayed entwined with each other, swaying, moving.

“You’re still working on the ranch, right?” Colton asked. She loved the way his voice rumbled in his chest as he spoke.

“Assuming I don’t win the park project. I’ll help out where I can. The good news is with the help of the interns, we are on track to complete it on time.”

Colton laughed. “I’m glad to hear it. But either way, I’m staying here—whether we take one year or five years to get the place fixed up.”

And she could see in his face that he was serious. Colton was really sticking around.

“Are you thirsty?” Colton asked as the next song came on.

She nodded her head, still dazed that this man wanted her, and counting the minutes until they could go home and appreciate each other.

Gus was about to order a white wine when an older gentleman stopped her—Adam Hearst.

“Gus?” Adam approached, a smile on his face. “I’m happy to see this dance has been successful. I just spoke with the park committee, and they are thrilled with how this dance turned out. It’s stunning.”

“Thanks, Adam,” she said, tapping her foot to the beat of the music.

“Anyway, I wanted to let you know that a little bird spoke to me, and the committee has decided to go with your team for the park renovations. They were very impressed with your interview.”

She stared at him. “It is? It is! Thank you!” Without thinking, she reached over and gave the older man a hug. “I really appreciate it. We won’t let you down.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Adam chuckled and patted her shoulder. “I think the community will benefit from your work.”

And with that, he left. Colton came up and handed her a drink.

“Everything good?” he asked.

“Better than good.” She set her drink aside and looped her arms around his neck. “I’m with the man I love, I won my first landscaping project, and we have our whole lives ahead of us. My life is going in the right direction, and I feel so happy.”

Colton looked dazed, and a wide smile crept across his face. “You love me?”

“I’ve loved you for years,” she answered honestly.

He looked around and then down at her. “How much longer do we need to stay here?”

She looked around. The dance floor was crowded, and there was only another hour left. Tomorrow she would come back to help clean up. “I’m ready whenever you are.”

“Good.” He leaned down and swept her up in his arms. “Because I want to show you just how long I’ve been in love with you.”

The drive back to his place felt endless, but with Colton by her side, she wanted to savor every minute.

Colton smiled as he carried her across the threshold of his bunkhouse. In that moment, she knew that her life couldn’t get any more perfect.

She pulled the cowboy hat from his head, tossed it on the couch, and then she kissed Colton with all her might.

The End.

About the Author: Jamie Dallas has been creating stories in her head for as long as she can remember. When not writing, she can be found either buried in a book, dreaming about storylines while out on walks, or baking yet again to avoid housework and chores. She lives with her husband and two demanding cats.