KATIE

I bumped down the drive in my truck and couldn’t help but smile. The ranch was mine. Ours. Mine and Bray’s.
It was the Camden Ranch, the new archway at the entrance proudly showed that.
The farmhouse had had a fresh coat of paint and the bay window that had been smashed had long since been repaired. We’d gotten a new bed first thing, then worked our way through the house. Turned out, the electrical was first. Not exciting, but the upgrade kept the house from burning down.
I drove past the house and toward the stable. It, too, had matching new paint. Plus, there was an addition on the side for Bray’s farrier business. There was a trailer in front of it now. As I turned on the bend, I saw Bray with a horse’s leg between his thighs as he worked on the hoof. Beside him was probably the owner and they were chatting. Smiling.
He often went to other ranches to see clients–horses!–but more were coming to us as the weeks went by.
Then there were my boarders. I still had eight, but there was a wait list. I had a helper now, too. Mary, a high schooler who wanted to be a vet. She was working with me mucking stalls and all the fun things, then also working at Cam’s vet clinic.
I parked in front of the stable and walked over to join Bray.
He was finished with his work because his tools were away and he was patting the horse’s flank. He must’ve given him a carrot because the horse had his head turned toward Bray hoping for more.
I knew the feeling. I always wanted more from Bray.
More of his smiles, like the one he gave me right now. I went to him and he kissed me, pulled me into his side.
I wanted more of his love. Sex. I wanted lots more sex with him.
I rubbed my baby bump. And kids. I wanted this one and many more.
The Camden Ranch had rough times, but they were behind us now. The future here was amazing and I couldn’t imagine sharing it with anyone else.