Her Second Chance Cowboy (Crystal Creek Sweet Romances #1)

Chapter Sixteen

The morning dawned crisp and clear, the air filled with the familiar soft whickers and snuffles of the horses as Emma made her way into the barn. She had barely slept the night before, her mind racing with thoughts of the decision that lay ahead of her, the choice that would determine the fate of her family’s legacy, her own future.

But even as she fought to quell the nerves that twisted in her stomach, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of warmth and happiness as she thought back to the previous night, to the magical moments she had shared with Cody under the stars. The way he had held her, the way he had kissed her with a tenderness and passion that had taken her breath away.

She shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand as she made her way down the aisle, checking on both of the horses in turn. But before she could finish her rounds, the sound of a truck pulling up the driveway caught her attention, and she felt her heart skip a beat as she recognized the familiar figure of Dr. Hanson climbing out of the cab.

“Good morning, Emma,” he said, his weathered face creasing into a smile as he approached. “I hope I’m not too early. I wanted to get a good start on Daisy’s check-up, make sure everything is in order before…” He trailed off, his expression growing serious as he met her gaze.

Emma nodded, swallowing past the lump that had risen in her throat. “I understand,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “And I appreciate you taking the time to do this, Dr. Hanson. I know how busy you must be.”

The vet waved away her thanks, his eyes crinkling with warmth and kindness. “Nonsense,” he said, his voice gruff but gentle. “You and your horses are like family to me, Emma. I wouldn’t dream of being anywhere else.”

Together, they made their way over to Daisy’s stall, where the old mare was waiting patiently, her soft brown eyes filled with trust and affection. Emma slipped a halter on her and led her out into the morning sunshine. As Dr. Hanson began his examination, Emma felt a sense of calm and focus washing over her, the familiar routine of the check-up soothing her frayed nerves and racing thoughts.

But as she watched the vet work, her mind kept drifting back to the decision that lay ahead of her, the choice that would change the course of her life, for better or for worse. She thought of her father, of the dreams he had always had for this place, the legacy he had hoped to pass down to future generations. And she thought of Cody, of the love and the partnership they had begun to build, the future that seemed to stretch out before them like a shimmering horizon.

The sound of tires crunching on gravel pulled her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see Garth’s truck pulling up alongside the barn, the bed piled high with bags of feed and supplies. He climbed out of the cab, his weathered face splitting into a grin as he caught sight of her.

“Morning, Emma,” he called, his voice booming across the yard. “Thought I’d drop off some supplies, save you a trip into town.”

Emma felt her cheeks flush, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth despite the nerves that still fluttered in her stomach. “Thanks, Garth,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet gratitude. “I really appreciate all your help, everything you’ve done for me and for this place.”

Garth waved away her thanks, his eyes twinkling with a mischievous light. “Ah, don’t go getting all sentimental on me now,” he said, his voice gruff but warm. “You know I’m just in it for the free food and the chance to boss people around.”

Emma laughed, shaking her head as she turned back to where Dr. Hanson was working through his examination, and ran her hand over the mare’s sleek shoulder, soothing her. The mare snorted as another truck pulled up, the engine rumbling to a stop as Cody climbed out of the cab. He strode towards her, his eyes filled with a fierce determination and protectiveness that took her breath away.

“Cody? What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to support you,” he said, his voice gentle as he reached her side. “I need you to know that I’m here for you, no matter what happens. I want you to know that I believe in you, and that I’ll stand by you, whatever you decide.”

Emma felt tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, her heart swelling with a love and gratitude that seemed to fill every corner of her being. She reached out to take his hand, her fingers intertwining with his own as she drew in a deep, steadying breath.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the pounding of her own heart. “Thank you for being here, for believing in me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

Cody’s grip tightened on her hand, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity that seemed to pierce straight through to her soul. “You’ll never have to find out,” he said, his voice filled with a fierce conviction. “Because I’m not going anywhere, Emma. I’m here for you, I swear it.”

The sound of another engine caught her attention, and she felt her heart leap into her throat as she recognized the sleek black car that was pulling up the driveway.

It was Alexander Blackwell, the buyer who had been hounding her, the man who held the fate of her family’s legacy in his hands. She felt a flicker of fear and uncertainty, her stomach twisting with dread as she watched him climb out of the car, his expensive suit and polished shoes looking out of place against the dusty, sun-baked earth of the ranch.

Blowing out a breath, Emma handed Daisy’s lead rope to Dr. Hanson with a small apologetic smile.

And then Alexander Blackwell was upon them, his face a mask of barely contained fury and impatience. “Ms. Brooks,” he said, his voice cold and clipped. “I believe we had an agreement. I trust you have the papers ready for me to sign?”

Emma felt a flicker of fear and doubt, her stomach churning with nerves as she met his gaze head-on. But even as she opened her mouth to speak, she felt a sense of calm and certainty washing over her, a knowledge that this was the right thing to do, the only thing that mattered.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwell,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet strength and determination. “But I’m afraid I won’t be selling the ranch after all. I’ve decided to keep it, to continue my father’s legacy and build a future here, with the people I love.”

Alexander’s face contorted with rage, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. “You can’t be serious,” he sputtered, his voice rising with each word. “We had a deal, Ms. Brooks. You can’t just back out now, not after all the time and money I’ve invested in this place.”

But Emma stood her ground, her hand still clasped tightly in Cody’s as she shook her head. “I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you,” she said, her voice calm and steady. “But we did not have a deal, and my decision is final. The ranch is not for sale.”

“You’re going to regret this.”

“I don’t think so. And now I’d like you to leave.”

Alexander’s face twisted with fury, his fists clenching at his sides as he took a menacing step forward. But before he could speak, Cody and Garth were there, their bodies forming a protective shield between Emma and the furious would-be buyer.

“You heard the lady,” Cody said, his voice low and dangerous. “It’s time for you to go, Mr. Blackwell. And I suggest you don’t make us ask twice.”

For a moment, Alexander looked as if he might argue, his eyes darting between the three of them with a calculating, malevolent gleam. But then, with a final, venomous glare in Emma’s direction, he turned on his heel and stalked back to his car, the engine roaring to life as he sped away in a cloud of dust and gravel.

Emma let out a shaky breath, her knees going weak with relief as she sagged against Cody’s side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his touch warm and steadying as he pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

“You did it,” he murmured, his voice filled with a quiet pride and admiration. “You stood up for yourself, for this place, for everything that matters to you. I’m so proud of you, Emma.”

Emma felt tears welling up in her eyes, a sob catching in her throat as she turned to bury her face in his chest. “I couldn’t have done it without you,” she whispered, her voice muffled against the fabric of his shirt. “Without any of you. You’ve all been there for me, supported me through everything. I don’t know how I can ever thank you enough.”

Garth cleared his throat, a hint of awkwardness in his gruff demeanor as he shifted from foot to foot. “Well, you can start by not getting all mushy on us,” he said, his voice filled with a gruff affection. “We’re just doing what any decent folks would do, looking out for our own.”

Dr. Hanson nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he stepped forward to join them. “Garth’s right,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet warmth and understanding. “You’re a part of this community now, Emma. A part of this family. And we take care of our own, no matter what.”

Emma felt a rush of emotion welling up inside her, a sense of belonging and purpose that seemed to fill every corner of her being. She looked around at the faces of the people she loved, the place that had become her home, and knew that she had made the right choice, the only choice that mattered.

“I’m staying,” she said, her voice filled with a quiet conviction. “I’m staying here, on this ranch, with all of you. Because there are things here that I cannot live without, things that make my life worth living. I’m talking about Daisy, of course,” she added with a playful grin, looking over at Cody with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

He laughed, shaking his head as he pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her in a warm, tender embrace. “Oh, of course,” he said, his voice filled with a teasing warmth. “It’s all about the horse, isn’t it?”

They all laughed then, the sound filling the barn with a joy and lightness that seemed to chase away the last traces of fear and doubt. And as Emma leaned into Cody’s embrace, felt the warmth and strength of his arms around her, she knew that she had found something precious, something rare and beautiful and true.

“Well maybe not all about the horse,” she conceded, and her voice grew serious once again. “It’s about my father’s legacy, about honoring the generations of my family who poured their hearts and souls into this land. It’s about being a part of this community, about belonging to something bigger than myself. And it’s about you, Cody. About the love and the partnership we’re building together, the future we’re creating, one day at a time.”

Cody’s eyes shone with a deep, unwavering love, his hand coming up to cup her cheek with a gentleness that took her breath away. “I love you, Emma Brooks,” he said, his voice filled with a quiet intensity. “And I’m so grateful for the chance to explore this love, to see where it takes us and what kind of future we might build together.”

Emma felt tears of joy and gratitude welling up in her eyes, a smile of pure, radiant happiness spreading across her features as she leaned into his touch. “I love you too, Cody,” she whispered, her voice filled with a quiet certainty. “More than I ever thought possible. And I’m excited to take this journey with you, to discover what the future holds for us, one day at a time.”

Cody nodded, his thumb brushing gently across her cheekbone as he drew her closer, his forehead resting against hers. “One day at a time,” he echoed, his voice filled with a quiet promise. “Together, no matter what comes our way.”

And as they stood there in the warmth and comfort of the morning sun, outside the barn they had rebuilt, surrounded by the people and the animals they loved, Emma knew that she had finally found her place in the world, her true north star. And she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, no matter what obstacles they might face, they would face them together, hand in hand and heart to heart.

This was where she belonged, where she had always belonged. And with Cody by her side, with the love and support of this incredible community, she knew that anything was possible, that every dream and every hope for the future was within their reach, as long as they held fast to each other and to the unbreakable bond that had brought them together, in this beautiful, wild, and wonderful corner of the world.