Page 77 of Saddles and Snowstorms
The building itself wasn’t anything fancy. A renovated barn with fresh white paint and a new metal roof that gleamed in the sunlight. But inside was state-of-the-art equipment, examination rooms, and even asmall surgery suite. It was everything I’d dreamed of since vet school, made better because Brooks shared it with me.
“You nervous?” I asked as we walked toward the old barn to do our chores, our boots crunching on the gravel path.
Brooks shrugged, but I could see the tension in his shoulders. “Maybe a little. Not used to havin’ so many people on my land.”
I reached for his hand, squeezing it briefly before letting go. We’d agreed to keep things professional during the opening, though most of Sagebrush knew something was going on between us. After Brooks’s little show in my clinic three months ago, rumors had spread quickly. To my surprise, I’d yet to face any ill will because of it. Everyone seemed supportive despite being in such a small, rural Texas town.
“Let’s focus on the chores for now,” I said, giving him a nod. “They won’t be here for a while yet.”
The morning routine with the cattle was familiar and soothing. Brooks moved among them with the easy confidence of a man who’d been doing this his whole life, checking on the pregnant cows and making sure the new calves were thriving. I watched him work, appreciating the way his muscles flexed beneath his shirt as he hefted feed bags and filled water troughs.
“You’re staring again,” he said without looking up, a small smile playing at his lips.
“Can’t help it,” I replied, leaning against the fence. “It’s a nice view.”
He shook his head, but I caught the flush creeping up his neck. Three months in and I could still make him blush. It was my favorite thing.
“Come help me with this instead of just lookin’ pretty,” he called, gesturing to the hay bales.
We worked side by side, falling into the rhythm we’d established over the past months. What had once been Brooks’ solitary morning chores had become something we shared, talking softly about the day ahead or sometimes not talking at all, just existing in the same space.
“You think anyone’s gonna show up today?” Brooks asked as we finished, wiping sweat from his brow.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole damn town showed up,” I nodded. “And the boys are comin’ too. All of them.”
“Colt too?” Brooks grumbled.
“Yes, Colt too,” I sighed, smiling as I shook my head.
“I don’t really like him.”
“Yes you do,” I laughed. “I catch you starin’ at his ass all the time.” Brooks burned me a dirty look, but I put my hands up in surrender. “He’s hot. It’s alright. I get it.”
“I don’t like the way he flirts with you…” He reached out, wrapping his arm around my waist. “You’remine.”
“And I always will be yours,” I replied, leaning into his touch. “Colt is just a friend. Nothin’ more. You’re the man I want.”
“You mean it?” There was an innocence in his voice that made my skin tingle and my heart flutter. “You’re mine?”
“Brooks.” I reached up, grabbing the sides of his face and pulling him into a soft kiss. “I love you more than anything. I’m yours as long as you’ll have me.”
“Forever?”
Those brown eyes seemed to bore right through me, their depths filled with so much more emotion and hope than his words implied.
“Forever,” I nodded. “If that’s what you want.”
“It is. I love you so much, Rowan. More than anything.”
“I love you too, cowboy,” I replied, kissing him once more. “Now come on,” I grinned, swatting him on the ass. “Let’s get these chores done. We’ve got a clinic to open today, remember?”
Brooks blushed again, smiled, and went back to the feed bags. I just stared, a big grin on my face that had been there since the day he told me he loved me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to it, but I loved it more than anything. Brooks was my home, and Sagebrush was where we were going to live happily ever after, I just knew it.
