Page 73 of The Rancher's Summer Secret

Again, she paused. She drew a deep breath and pictured G-G’s beautiful, wrinkled face. Oh, she could feel it now, Winona’s love and approval. Winona would be so proud that she’d finally found her own path.

“So I’m just going to say it, right here, right this minute in front of the whole town.” She smiled at the man who’d almost reached the platform now. “I have lost my heart to Jameson John—and I’m finally seeing that loving him is the best thing that could ever have happened to me. Because this time, I’ve lost my heart to the right man, a man I can count on, a man worthy of my trust.”

“Vanessa!” Jameson leaped onto the speaker’s platform. “I love you!” he shouted, striding straight for her.

The crowd cheered louder than ever. They whistled and threw their hats in the air as the man she loved swept her into his arms.

“I love you,” she said, and he swooped down to claim her mouth with his. They kissed for a long, sweet time, the crowd egging them on with more whistles and catcalls.

When they finally came up for air, she said “I love you so much, Jameson,” in barely a whisper. Their kiss had knocked her glasses askew. He carefully settled them more firmly on the bridge of her nose.

Behind them, the mayor took matters into his own hands and cut the ribbon. Not that either Van or Jameson cared.

Holding her close, Jameson dipped his head even closer, close enough to speak directly into her ear. “And I want you to know that I honestly don’t care where we live as long as I’m living with you. When you leave at the end of the summer, I’m going with you.”

“No need!” She had to shout the words to be heard over the clapping and shouting from the plaza. “I’m ready, Jameson, ready to come home for good. I’m applying for a job at Bronco High. One way or another, I’m going to be living here in our hometown.”

“With me.” It was an outright demand. “Openly.”

“Yes, absolutely. With you, for the whole town to see. I love you so much. I’ve missed you so terribly.”

“Never leave me again.” His eyes were blue fire.

“Never,” she vowed. “I’m sorry I made you a secret. But your willingness to keep it just between us for a while did give us time, at least, to know that we’re meant for each other.”

“I agree.”

She blinked. “You do?”

“Absolutely,” he replied. “I thought it over, back the night of the rodeo, after I turned down your offer at Bushwhacker Creek. I figured out then that I would never get a chance with you if I didn’t bend a little.”

“So that was you, bending, when you showed up at our table during the barbecue on the Fourth?”

“Yes, it was—and dear God, I love you.” He touched her cheek with a gentle hand, causing a riot of glorious sensation to flash like sparks across her skin.

“And I love you,” she said yet again. “All my disappointments, all my bad boyfriends, my questionable romantic choices, they led me finally to you. Every time I lost at love, I was only getting closer to finding the real thing. Now, I can’t wait to see where the future will take us.”

“Together,” he said in a rough rumble.

“Always,” she promised as he pulled her close for another endless, tender kiss.