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“We’re going to be useless tomorrow,” she said into his chest.

“Speak for yourself. I’m going to be magnificent.”

She laughed, and he shushed her, and she shushed him back, and then neither of them said anything for a while. Jodie closed her eyes. She sighed contentedly.

Tomorrow there would be horses. Helicopters. Harold. Willow. The gather and a thousand things she would inevitably try to manage.

But tonight Mac’s heart beat steadily beneath her cheek. She didn’t need to fix or organize anything. She didn’t need to be useful.

Jodie smiled against his chest.

For once, she could just let herself be.

TWENTY-ONE

Jodie woke to Mac’s arm heavy across her waist. For one disorienting second, she couldn’t remember what they’d talked about the night before, but it felt monumental. Then Mac shifted behind her. His mouth brushed her shoulder as he murmured, “Morning, love.”

He loves me.

She smiled into the sleeping bag as warmth spread through her chest so quickly it almost hurt.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Mac went still. Jodie immediately wanted to pull the words back and say them better. Facing him, for one thing. Maybe over a lovely dinner like at Lavender again. So much for her perfect setting and circumstances.

Oh, for God’s sake. I blew it.

Then his arm tightened around her. “Love you, too, Ranch Girl. So, so much.”

Jodie rolled over and kissed him, slow and sleepy. When she opened her eyes, Mac was staring at her intently.

“Are you okay? After last night? That was pretty intense.”

Jodie nodded. “I am. I’ve never talked to anyone like that, about Shelby.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Then I’m honored you’d share your story with me.”

“Look, I’ll try not to manage you today⁠—”

“Shh.” Mac’s hand slid into her hair. “No apologies. Looking out for others is your love language, I get it now.” He grinned. “Just let me look out for you right back, deal?”

Jodie felt her heart melt into a puddle in her chest. “Okay.”

“Because I love you, Jodie.” He stroked her hair.

“I love you, too. But we have to get up.”

“Mmm.” He closed his eyes instead. Neither of them moved.

Jodie smiled and closed hers. “Eventually.”

A faint whine came from outside the tent. She lifted her head.

Mac opened one eye. “Your boyfriend’s back.”