Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(146)

“Self-sufficient is good, but, Gwen, I shudder when I think of what would’ve happened if you got to Colorado on your own and realized you had no real bargaining power. I have money. And I’d gladly spend it on you. All of it.”

“You need to keep your savings safe, Julián, not blow it—”

“Millions, love.”

Her eyebrows felt like they must’ve reached her hairline. “Huh?”

“You heard me. I went to the ranch auction.”

“What? That’s where you’ve been?”

“Yes. Roger did lose the ranch, by the way.”

“He did?” The buzz in her head made her words sound muffled in her head.

“He lost to me. Congratulations, love. You’re now the official owner of the Bucking H Ranch.”

The ground would’ve been hard on her knees if they hadn’t caught her when her knees buckled. “You what?”

“I got your horse ranch back for you, love. It’s yours. Free and clear. Lock, stock, and barrel. I’m just waiting for all the paperwork to come through on it and then I can put the keys in your hands.”

She heard an odd sound and realized she was panting and crying. She threw herself into his arms and wrapped herself around him like a monkey. “Thank you! Thank you!”

Julián and Chris chuckled as she held on tight and kissed him all over his wonderful, handsome, delicious face.

When she quieted, Julián put her back on her feet and looked at her seriously. “But then there’s the matter of your horse.”

“He outbid you?”

A smile curled Julián’s lips as he gathered her hand in his warm one and drew her back to the diesel—a big, shiny…fire-engine red…dually. She pulled to a stop.

“Tell me now,” she whispered.

“What would you like to hear?”

She pointed to the long trailer she couldn’t make out very well in the dark. Chris strode over to his pickup and turned on the headlights.

“My trailer!”

Julián released her hand and she ran to the back of the long trailer, did a dance as he unlocked the access door at the back, and panted with excitement as she stepped inside.

In as calm a voice as she could muster, she said, “Zephyr?”

The replying whinny was all the answer she needed as she peeked through the sloping side partition that served as one wall of Zephyr’s mobile stall. She stood there munching on a snack and nickered again as Gwen reached over and stroked her face. “Oh, you beautiful girl. I missed you so much.”

She felt Chris come up close behind her and she said, “I’d like you to meet Chris, Zephyr. He’s a good guy once you get to know him. Don’t let the teasing fool you. He’s a total woobie.”

“I hope y’all haven’t punk’d me or anything and you’re actually calling me a wuss,” Chris said softly as he rubbed Zephyr’s nose, allowing her to smell him.

“No. You’re really a wonderful big woobie, Chris. And I love you. I love you, I love you.”

Chris kissed the top of her head and wrapped his arms around her as she got reacquainted with her equine best friend. He slid his fingers into her back pockets and squeezed her ass. “What’s this?” he asked as he pulled the note from him she’d stuck in her back pocket earlier.

“It’s your heart you left for me today,” she whispered playfully. “Can I keep it?”

Chris scoffed and smooched her nose. “Silly, you’ve owned it since the day I laid eyes on you.”

She could hear Julián speaking on his phone, and when she heard Ace’s name she knew he was checking in to let everyone know she was all right. He burst into laughter at something Ace said and promised to give her the message. When he was done with the call, he climbed in the trailer with her and Chris.

“That was Ace. Word made it to Teresa that you took off again and she said that she’s kicking your ass next time she sees you.”

“She’s gotten a little fiery since she’s been pregnant, hasn’t she?” Chris asked with a chuckle.

Gwen said, “Is that what you were laughing over?”

Julián shook his head. “No. Kemp got on the phone for a second. He’s righteously pissed on your behalf for Roger tricking you into driving to Colorado and putting you in danger in the process. He said he’ll be happy to pay the son of a bitch a house call. You’ll have to ask him to explain but he said, ‘Have duct tape, will travel,’ or something like that. I’ll bet the girls know what that means.”

“Julián?”

“Yes, love?” he asked as he stroked Zephyr’s nose.