When the Rancher Came to Town by Emma Cane

reached her, but she didn’t care. He caught her in a quick, hard hug, his body warm from exertion in the July heat.
    Then he held her upper arms so he could look into her face. “You okay?”
    She nodded a bit like a bobble-­headed doll, but she was grinning, too. He was so tall and handsome, yet so focused on her. “Yeah, yeah, I’m okay.”
    â€œI swear I didn’t know they were going to announce you like that.”
    â€œI know. It’s okay. I’m okay. Really.”
    Then she put her hands on his face and kissed him, to a roar of delight from the crowd.
    â€œWell, get her out of here,” Sabrina said, giving them both a push.
    Grinning, Mason led her up the aisle to the top of the stands, and they escaped down the much-­less-­crowded rear stairs. She had to hustle to keep up with him, until he led her beneath the widespread branches of a nearby cottonwood tree. A black-­and-­white herding dog was lying in the shade, and although he raised his head, he calmly put it back down as if he didn’t mind sharing.
    And then Amanda was in Mason’s arms, kissing his face, over and over. “I was so nervous. But you did so well! Your sisters think you’ll win! And we saw you talking to Nate.”
    He laughed. “I don’t know if I’ll win, because there’s another rider or two left. But I had a good talk with Nate, and we’re going to meet up later for dinner. That’s winning in my book.”
    â€œI’m so glad.”
    â€œBut that’s nothing compared to you getting called out in front of the crowd.”
    She gave a shrug and almost giggled. “It was strange, I know. But . . . I did okay. I just concentrated on my breathing and remembered that it was temporary, that I’d soon be alone with you.”
    He linked his hands behind her lower back, and she put hers around his neck.
    â€œYou make me feel good, Mason Lopez. You make me remember I’m strong.”
    â€œYou’ve always been strong,” he said softly, then leaned down to kiss her.
    She felt light-­headed looking up at him, all full of warmth and desire. “I don’t know if you’ll think I’m crazy, but I could fall in love with you. You’ve been so patient, so kind, so encouraging—­”
    He grimaced. “I sound like your favorite teacher, not your lover.”
    She laughed. “Those are all good things for a lover to be.”
    He kissed the tip of her nose. “I don’t just think I could fall in love with you, Amanda Cramer. I’m mostly already there.”
    Their smiles died, and she stared deeply into his eyes, so dark, but shining with warmth and compassion. Their tender kiss brimmed with promise.
    â€œWhere do we go from here?” she breathed at last, feeling giddy at this newfound relationship she hadn’t even imagined a few days ago.
    He cleared his throat, though his voice still sounded deep and husky. “Anywhere we want. And I think I want to see you every moment I can. I’m only a half hour away.”
    â€œMight be a longer trip in the winter,” she teased.
    â€œTrue. It’ll only be weekends at first, though I’m sure my sisters will help out.”
    â€œI’ll take whatever of you I can get. I can visit you, too. I’d love to see your ranch.”
    â€œAnd I want to show it to you. Maybe you’d like it so much, you might think of it as home someday.”
    Now she felt shy, looking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. “That sounds wonderful.”
    And then he was holding her close, and she fit perfectly into the contours of his body. She’d come to Valentine to escape her past, and instead, she’d found her future.

 
    This Fall. . .
    Return to Valentine Valley,
    where Christmas lights are twinkling
    and first love burns brighter the second time around. . .
    Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley
    When Tony De