Cowboy’s Healing Heart

19. Home

NINETEEN

HOME

SHANE

"Silver Ridge."

I blink, afraid I heard wrong. "Montana?"

I look up at the sky, thankful for answered prayers. How else can I explain that we were headed to the same destination? My heart pounds with a mixture of relief and anticipation. This has to be a sign.

My feet drag me closer to her, and I fold Krystal and Ashanti in my arms. The familiar scent of Krystal's shampoo fills my nostrils, grounding me in this moment. Ashanti's small body trembles slightly, and I tighten my hold, wanting to protect them both from everything.

"I'm sorry," I begin, my voice thick with emotion. "I've been a terrible fiancé. I've been distant. I've been caught up in Innoventis and my family's expectations. But today... today, I realized something."

Krystal looks up at me, her face unreadable in the dim light of the driveway. Her eyes, usually so expressive, are guarded now. I can see the pain I've caused her, the uncertainty that's taken root because of my actions. It breaks my heart.

"What did you realize?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.

I take a deep breath, knowing that my next words could change everything. "I realized that none of it matters. Not Innoventis, not my family's money, not their approval. The only thing that matters is you. You and Ashanti."

Her eyes widen, a flicker of hope crossing her face. It's like watching the sun break through storm clouds. "Shane..."

"I'm walking away from it all," I continue, my voice growing stronger with each word. The truth of it settles into my bones. This is right. This is what I should have done from the beginning. "I want our life, Krystal. The life we had at the ranch. The life we could have anywhere, as long as we're together."

Tears well up in Krystal's eyes, and I resist the urge to wipe them away. She needs to hear this, all of it.

"But your family... your inheritance..." she protests weakly.

I shake my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. "I don't need it. I don't want it. All I want is you."

Krystal stares at me, her expression a mix of disbelief and hope. "I don't know what to say."

"Just tell me what time our flight leaves."

"Shane—"

"What time?" I press, needing to know, needing to make this real.

"Three, forty-five," she whispers.

I nod, my mind already racing. "I can get a ticket or arrange for the jet."

Krystal's eyes search my face, looking for any sign of doubt or hesitation. "Are you sure?"

I cup her face in my hands, my thumbs brushing away the tears that have started to fall. "Yes, baby, I'm sure. I love you," I whisper, pressing my forehead against hers. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize what really matters."

She pulls back slightly, her hands coming up to cover mine. "I love you too, Shane. But are you sure? Are you really sure you want to give it all up?"

I look into her eyes, seeing our future reflected there: the ranch in Silver Creek, where we first fell in love, lazy Sunday mornings with Ashanti, and building a life together, far from the pressures of New York and Innoventis. It's everything I've ever wanted, everything I never knew I needed until I met her.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

As I lean in to kiss her, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. For the first time in years, I'm not Shane Kennedy, heir to Innoventis. I'm just Shane, a man in love, ready to build a life with the woman who holds his heart.

The kiss is soft, tender, and filled with promise. When we break apart, I see the last of Krystal's doubts fade away. She believes me. She trusts me. And I swear to myself that I'll never give her reason to doubt me again.

I pull Krystal close, my heart pounding in my chest. The words I've been holding back for so long finally spill out.

"I need you to be my partner," I whisper, my voice low and intense. "My lover, my best friend, my home."

Krystal's eyes close, and I watch as emotions play across her face. I hold my breath, waiting for her response. When her eyes open again, they're filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination that takes my breath away.

"I need you too, Shane," she whispers, her voice trembling. "More than I've ever needed anyone."

Relief floods through me, and I pull her against my chest, holding her tight. She buries her face in my neck, and I breathe her in, committing this moment to memory. The softness of her curls against my cheek, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the way she fits perfectly in my arms.

"I need your strength," she murmurs, her breath warm against my skin. "The way you make me feel safe, even when the world is falling apart around us."

I think back to our time at the ranch and how she looked at me when I stood up to her ex, Jordan. The trust in her eyes, the way she leaned on me. I want to be that for her, always.

Her hands roam over my back, and I suppress a shiver at her touch. "I need your gentleness," she continues. "The way you are with Ashanti, the softness in your eyes when you look at me."

Images flash through my mind: Teaching Ashanti self-defense moves, the pride in Krystal's eyes as she watched us, and the quiet moments in bed when Krystal would trace my scars with gentle fingers, silently accepting every part of me.

My heart races faster, and I tighten my grip on her. "I need your passion," she says, her voice growing stronger. "The fire in your eyes when you're determined, the intensity of your touch when we're alone."

Heat floods my body at her words. I remember our first night together, the desperation in our touches, the way we couldn't get enough of each other. But also the quiet passion, the slow burn of desire that's always simmering between us.

She pulls back slightly, meeting my gaze. "I need your patience," she admits. "The way you've waited for me to be ready, to open up, to let you in."

I think of all the times I wanted to push, to demand more from her. But I knew she needed time, needed to heal from the wounds of her past. And I would have waited forever if that's what she needed.

Tears are flowing down her cheeks now, and it takes everything in me not to wipe them away, to let her finish what she needs to say.

"I need your forgiveness," she whispers. "For the times I've pushed you away, for the walls I've built around my heart."

I cup her face in my hands, gently brushing away her tears with my thumbs. "There's nothing to forgive," I say softly, meaning every word. I understand her fears and her need to protect herself and Ashanti. How could I fault her for that?

But Krystal shakes her head, determined to continue. "I need your understanding," she says. "Of my past, my fears, my doubts. I need your patience as I learn to trust again, to love without fear."

I nod my throat tight with emotion. I think of Jordan and the damage he did to Krystal's ability to trust. I think of my family and the expectations that nearly tore us apart. We both have baggage, but we'll carry it together.

She takes a shaky breath, and I can see her steeling herself for what comes next. "I need your love," she says, barely audible. "All-consuming, earth-shattering, life-changing love. The kind that terrifies me and thrills me in equal measure. The kind that heals hearts."

I feel tears pricking at my own eyes, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion in her words. This is Krystal laid bare, offering me everything she is, everything she hopes to be.

"You have it," I say fiercely. "You've had it from the moment I first saw you, covered in grease and cursing at that old tractor."

A watery laugh escapes her at the memory, and I feel my heart swell with love for this amazing woman.

Krystal leans in, pressing her forehead against mine. "I need you to be my partner," she echoes my words from earlier. "My lover, my best friend, my home."

The last word catches in her throat, and I understand why. Home. Something we've both been searching for, something neither of us thought we'd find. For me, home was always a place to escape from. For Krystal, it was something she could never hold onto.

"You are my home," she whispers, and I feel the truth resonates throughout my entire being. "You and Ashanti. You're where I belong."

I can't hold back any longer. I crash my lips into hers, pouring everything I feel into the kiss. It's desperate and hungry, filled with all the words we've been too afraid to say. It's a promise, a vow, a declaration of everything we mean to each other.

When we finally break apart, we're both breathing heavily. I rest my forehead against hers, my hands still cupping her face.

"I love you," I say, my voice rough with emotion. "God, Krystal, I love you so much it scares me sometimes."

Krystal closes her eyes, and I watch as the words wash over her. When she opens them again, they're warm, making my heart stutter.

"I love you too," she whispers, and I can hear the wonder in her voice. "More than I ever thought possible."

We stand there for a moment, just holding each other, basking in the love we've found. Then I remember the surprise I have waiting.

"Let's head to the airport," I say, excitement bubbling up inside me. "I have a surprise."

Krystal looks up, curiosity replacing the tears in her eyes. "What kind of surprise?"

I grin, unable to contain my excitement. "You'll see."

"What is it, another horse?" Ashanti pipes up, reminding us of her presence. Her eyes are wide with hope and a touch of wariness. I realize she's probably been through too many surprises in her young life, and not all are good.

I kneel down to her level, my heart full of love for this little girl who's become such an important part of my life. "Maybe, maybe not," I say with a wink. "The only way to find out is to join me on this adventure called life."

I look back up at Krystal, suddenly overwhelmed by the magnitude of this moment. This is it. This is our chance to start over, to build the life we've always dreamed of.

Slowly, I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring – the one Krystal had left behind. It glints in the moonlight, a symbol of promises made and nearly broken but now renewed.

"Krystal Duncan," I say, my voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "Will you marry me? For real this time, no doubts, no fears, just us building a life together?"

Krystal's hands fly to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, my heart stops, worried that maybe I've misread everything. But then she nods, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"Yes," she whispers. Then louder, "Yes! I will!"

I slide the ring onto her finger, where it belongs, where I hope it will stay forever. Then I stand and pull her close, wrapping my arms around her and Ashanti both.

With Krystal and Ashanti in my arms, I feel like I can take on the world. Because we're not just two separate people anymore. We're not a broken family trying to piece itself back together.

We're partners, lovers, best friends.

We're home.

As we walk towards the car, our future stretching out before us, a sense of calm settles over me. There will be challenges ahead, I know. We have a lot to figure out—the move to Montana, my transition away from Innoventis, building a new life together.

But for the first time, I'm not afraid of the unknown. Because I know that whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Me, Krystal, and Ashanti. Our little family, finally whole, finally home.

The night sky stretches above us, stars twinkling like promises of all the adventures to come. As I help Ashanti into the car, as I kiss Krystal one more time before we embark on this new journey, I know in my heart that this—this love, this family, this life we're choosing—is everything I've ever wanted.

And it's only the beginning.