“I’m fine,” I say, seeing the three guys hanging around the bed as the doctor echoes my words.

“You’re a lucky young lady,” The old doctor says, his bushy white eyebrows knitting together.

I know I am. And as Clint’s worried eyes meet mine, I’m doubly aware of just how lucky I am. The doctor packs up and leaves, and the other two guys, Carson and Shane, follow him out to his truck.

Leaving me alone with an intense looking Clint.

“I’m sorry,” I say, needing to put it out there.

But he’s at my side in an instant. “No, I’m sorry,” He says, looking me deep in the eyes as he takes my hand and presses my knuckles to his lips. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that I want to work through this. I want you in my life, if you’ll have me. I love you, Sara May,” he says, his intense brown eyes on mine, “I always have.”

My heart beats like a drum in my chest as his words sink in. He’s always loved me. “I always loved you too,” I say, feeling shy. “Is the mare okay?” I ask, feeling terrible.

“Lady? She’s fine.” He seems perplexed that I’m asking.

“I feel terrible. I shouldn’t have put her at risk, or put myself at risk, or anything like that. I am so stupid.” The words flood out and I notice Clint is watching me carefully. “What?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“You’re beautiful.”

I feel my eyebrows come together. Now doesn’t seem like the time for that. Shouldn’t he be mad at me for causing so much trouble, for risking his horse, for making a whole damn search party come out for me?

“I must have cost you a fortune,” I whisper, feeling humiliated. How will I ever pay him back for this? For any of it?

“You don’t owe me anything,” he says, his fingers warm in mine and his breath reassuring on my hand.

And the words have a ring of truth to them. His eyes are warm as he continues. “I was so scared I’d lost you. I’m just glad you’re home safe.”

Home safe.

Does he even know what he just said? Tears trickles down my cheeks as I draw in a ragged breath. Home. I haven’t had one of those in so long.

“Does it hurt?” he asks, and I glance at my sunburn.

“No, the stuff doc put on it helped a ton.” But I’m not totally ready to tell him why I’m such a damn mess. Then I look into his serious brown eyes once more. “I love you. I love Grace. And this feels like home. More like home than even home does.” The words flood out and with them comes an intense relief that leaves me shaken.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you. My ex was,” I suck in a shuddering breath and fight to get the words out around the tears. My voice lowers to a whisper. “He was a monster.”

And the apology follows. “I’m so sorry. He might have followed me. I was so scared, but as time went on, I realized he was too much of wimp to actually do something like chase me. He wanted me while it was convenient. When I became trouble, he just gave up. I’m sure he’s with some girl right now, treating her like he treated me.”

“Do I know him?” Clint sounds so quietly furious I feel a flutter of fear in my belly. Not fear for me, fear for Dillon.

“Dillon?” I ask, shaking my head. There’s no way he knows him. That relationship came after I ran so far from home. “But I don’t’ care about him. That’s over, it’s behind me. I feel like you’re my future,” I say, feeling the honesty of the words. It feels good to finally totally come clean to him. This was a long time coming.

And since telling him who I am wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d been scared it would be, I’m certain this will be fine too. Clint is a good man. And I haven’t had too many of those in my life. But I’m ready to have one. For good, if he is willing.

“You know how to shoot,” Clint says seriously. “If you ever see that son of a bitch, you pull the trigger, understand?” He asks, and I nod. But he’s not done.

“It’s not just you that you have to protect here,” He says, his eyes slashing back and forth over mine. “Grace needs you. She looks up to you, she trusts you.”

“I’d never let anyone hurt her,” I murmur, watching his face. I’m doing my best to convey that I’m telling the truth. She means so much to me. “I’d die first,” I whisper, and his pupils dilate with shock. “I love her too,” I whisper. She’s such a strong girl, so beautiful and kind, compassionate and sweet despite the pain life has dealt her.

But one thing is still nagging at me. “How did you find me?” I ask, curious.

Clint’s features lighten a bit and there’s a bit of boyishness I saw in him that day he’d fallen asleep. “Because someone or something wants us to find each other. I think we were meant for more than we ever thought.” He seems thoughtful a moment, and I nod.

“I felt the same way. How did I choose this specific ranch to begin with? How as I on this road? I mean, the help wanted sign helped, but it’s so many coincidences in a row.” I trail off, wondering how everything managed to work out so perfectly.

Over Clint’s shoulder, I see a familiar face and I rise up to sit, despite the protest of the massive sunburn I’d sustained.

“Katie?” I ask, seeing her eyes are guarded. Behind her, I see Babs. My heart sinks like a stone. Katie knows. She’ll hate me forever now.