Page 63 of Redemption Ridge Vol II

“I found him, thanks to help from our social media followers. I’m just amazed I could keep this a surprise since I had to loop in several people to pull it off.”

“Owen, I can’t believe you did this.” Tyler looked back out the windshield and watched Brutus join the other horses. They trotted and galloped in the fenced area, and he looked carefree.

“Do you want to see him?”

Tyler released his seat belt and shoved the door open. He introduced himself to the Gilmores, but he only had eyes for Brutus. “Mind if I walk over to the paddock and see if he remembers me?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Gilmore said. She’d given Tyler her first name, but damn if he could remember.

“Thank you.”

His heart pounded in his chest as he walked toward the horses. It was obvious the Gilmores took good care of Brutus, and his heart was full to bursting by the time he reached the fence. Tyler stuck two fingers in his mouth and whistled sharply. Most of the horses stopped but only glanced in his direction. Brutus fully turned to face Tyler and stood as still as a statue.

“Brutus,” Tyler called out. “Don’t you remember me?”

The horse galloped toward him, slowing to a trot as he neared the fence.

“Hey, buddy,” Tyler said when the big horse nuzzled against him. “How are you doing?”

Brutus continued rubbing his head against him until Tyler opened his arms and hugged the horse. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he buried his head against Brutus’s neck.

“Should I be jealous?” Owen asked when he joined them.

Tyler lifted his head, not caring that Owen saw his raw emotions. “No, you should be really proud of yourself. I don’t have to worry about him anymore. He seems so happy here.”

“We’ve been fostering Brutus for about a year,” Mr. Gilmore said. “It took him a long time to trust us, but it’s obvious he remembers you well.”

Tyler hadn’t even realized the couple had joined them. He wiped his tears away, feeling slightly embarrassed. Then, he locked eyes with Mrs. Gilmore and read the pure understanding in her gaze. Tyler suddenly absorbed what her husband had said. They were fostering Brutus; they didn’t own him.

Tyler looked from the Gilmores to Owen. “So, he’s—” He didn’t finish the thought because he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

Owen cupped his cheek and said, “Finley and Kieran are coming to pick Brutus up for us tomorrow, and he’ll be waiting for us at the ranch when we get home on Sunday.”

Tyler hugged Owen tightly. “I don’t believe it.”

Brutus whinnied loudly as if he didn’t appreciate Tyler’s attention going elsewhere.

Tyler stepped back and laughed. “Did you hear that, buddy? You’re going to come live with us.”

The Gilmores led them into the barn to complete the necessary paperwork. Then, they lingered a little longer to spend more time with the horse before getting back on the road.

“Are you sad to leave him?” Owen asked after they drove several minutes in silence.

“Not at all,” Tyler said. “I’m too excited about our weekend in Denver, and I know Finley and Kieran will take excellent care of him.” He narrowed his eyes as he stared out the windshield. “Kieran better not try to steal my horse’s affections.” Horses were drawn to him like moths to a flame.

Owen laughed. “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, baby.”

“What a weekend,” Tyler said. “It seems like all of our dreams came true within the span of twenty-four hours.”

Owen reached over the console and took his hand. “Not all of them. You’re not my husband yet.”

They got overwhelmed every time they talked about logistics and picking a date that worked for everyone and ended up postponing the conversation. “I want a simple wedding like Cash and Nick had. Immediate family only.”

“Your family is coming to Colorado in November. My mom will be done with her real estate classes by then and could drive up. We saw what Harry could do in two weeks. Imagine what she can do in three months. Let’s get married and have even more to be grateful for this Thanksgiving,” Owen said.

“That simple, huh?”

Owen glanced over at him with a cocky smile on his lips. “What? You want to wait another six years?”