Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
FUCK!
“What ranch?” There were at least twenty in the county.
“Wolf Ranch.”
I blinked at the old man.
“She’s at Wolf Ranch,” I repeated.
He grinned. “Yeah. She’s there to fix that axle on your trailer.”
She was at Wolf Ranch fixing the axle on my trailer? Right now?
My axle. My trailer. I’d mentioned that it was broken to her one time when I shared my business plans. She remembered and volunteered to fix it.
He scratched his head. “You didn’t see her?”
I shook my head.
“Well, shoot. The way she ran off, it seemed like she wanted to do more than fix that axle.”
“Like… kill me?”
He wiped his hands with a rag again as he shook his head. “No, you idiot. Like kiss you.”
34
CLIO
* * *
The axle took longer than I expected because of a rusted bolt. I dealt with them every day, but with a hydraulic torque wrench when I didn’t have to put any muscle into it. This stupid bolt had me standing on the lug wrench, then jumping on it to get it to turn. Thankfully, the trailer was on the back side of the stable, so the only one watching had been Cletus from the pasture. Or heard my swearing.
Sam wasn’t here for me to talk to, but at least I could do this for him. I could try to show up for him the way he had shown up for me.
Once I got the rusted bolt loose, the work went quickly. I’d heard about cooks putting love into the food they prepared. I poured my gratitude for Sam into this work. Hoping he’d receive this little favor for what it was–an act of love.
I finished up, trying to formulate a plan. Should I leave him a note? Send a text? Call? Wait for Wes to tell him I showed up?
I went around the corner carrying my toolbox, and I ran into a wall.
A hot, muscled wall that I bounced off of.
My toolbox dropped to the ground with a clatter.
“Sparks.”
I looked up from my spilled tools. “Sam,” I breathed.
He was here. He was here.
“I came–”
“I went–”
I bit my lip because we spoke over each other.
He quieted.
I was reveling in his presence. Oh, how I’d missed his scent. How he looked. Felt. There were dark circles under his eyes, but he looked freshly showered and shaved, and the way his eyes were glued to my face told me nothing had changed for him.
“I went to the shop to see you.”
“I was here,” I said, realizing I was an idiot.
He smiled softly. Carefully. “Yeah, I know.”
“What were you doing–”
“You fixed my trailer.” We spoke over each other again.
“You said the axle was broken, and you needed it for the rodeo,” I explained.
“You–” he cleared his throat “–you did that for me even though…?”
“I did it because you needed it fixed and because I fucked everything up.”
Suddenly, I found myself wrapped up in Sam’s strong arms. “You didn’t fuck anything up, Sparks,” he said softly. “You aren’t sure of me yet, and that’s okay–”
“No, I am. I am sure of you, Sam. More sure than I’ve ever been in my life. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
“Sparks.” His voice hitched.
“I’m sorry I panicked. I’m sorry I’ve been closed off from the start because of what Ted and his pack did. I didn’t give you a fair chance.”
He stroked my hair. “No, I get it. You were scared. Your most important job is taking care of your pup, and you felt threatened.”
My vision went blurry. “Sam,” I whispered. “I’m so sorry. I compared you to Ted. Compared your pack to his. I was wrong.”
He shook his head. “You were being careful.”
“Too careful. You didn’t give me any reason to doubt.”
He blinked hard. “Thank you.” He kissed the top of my head. “I should’ve proved myself enough so that no matter what anyone said, I was the one you turned to for answers.”
Silly man. He’d proved himself plenty.
“I love you!” I blurted.
Sam swayed on his feet, like my words nearly bowled him over. Then he cupped my face and said fiercely, “I love you so much, Clio. More than anything. Do you believe that?”
I nodded.
“I want you to feel safe with me. With the pack. So I want you to know, if there’s ever any situation–if you ever feel uncomfortable or threatened by my pack–I will leave it in a heartbeat to be with you.”
My eyes widened, and my mouth fell open. “What?”
“I choose you. I choose JT. I choose us.”
“I choose you, too, Sam. I choose us.”
Sam grinned. “You sure? There’s no going back now.”
I knew I was sure because I felt so buoyant I thought I might float right off the ground. “I’m sure.”
“You’ll be my mate? Carry our pups?”
“Are you going to claim me?”
His eyes turned that pale, silvery blue. His wolf wanted me. “Hell, yeah. How–”