was married to the ranch, like a sacred vow. There’s never been room for much else in my life. And I didn’t think a man would understand it.”
“I do.” And she knew he did. “We can build something beautiful together, on the foundation your father left us. What do you think, Kate?”
“I think you’re crazy.” She grinned at him again. “You should be with some sexy young thing and have ten babies with her, not be with someone like me.”
“We can have ten babies if that’s what you want. We should start soon, though,” he looked at his watch, “like tonight maybe.”
“Oh, shut up. You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. I’ve never loved any woman like I love you, and I never will. I had to fight myself not to tell you before this. Now you know, and I’m not going to take no for an answer, and I don’t give a damn about five years. You’re better looking and sexier than any woman in this valley, any age. Gemma’s a star, but I think you’re way more beautiful than she is. You’re real.”
“Gemma’s real too,” she defended her sister, and then she laughed, “well, parts of her are.”
“That’s what I mean.” He laughed too. “Fly with me, Kate. Let’s show everyone what we can do. As husband and wife, not me working for you, or even as business partners. I want to go to bed with you every night, and make love to you.” Now that he had said it, he couldn’t contain himself anymore. He pulled her to her feet and pressed his long lanky body against hers, and she could feel the passion he felt for her. It was dizzying, and she didn’t want him to stop or go away. She had run away from most of the men who had pursued her, but she wanted to run into Thad’s arms, not away from them. Suddenly, he felt like the only place she wanted to be. She clung to him, as the sun began to set slowly, and she didn’t want to let go. Without knowing why or if it was right, she looked into his eyes and nodded.
“Yes…I think we’re crazy, but maybe you have to be a little crazy in life…yes…but let’s take it slow. Let’s get used to it ourselves first. I don’t want everyone to know right away. This is going to surprise a lot of people,” including her sisters, but she wasn’t sure she cared about that either. All she cared about at that exact moment in time was him.
“We can go as slow as you want. As long as we get there in the end. I’ve waited nineteen years. I can wait a little longer. Not another nineteen years though, I hope.”
“I’ll be a hundred by then,” she said with a grin.
“No, you won’t. You’ll probably still be sexy when you’re a hundred. I’ll be ninety-five then.” He kissed her again and they walked through the grass to their horses in the place that was going to be his house one day, their house, if all went well. He gave her a boost into her saddle, and got up on his own horse with ease, and turned to look at her with the broadest grin she’d ever seen. “I love you, Kate, just remember that. I always will.” She nodded. She believed him. He was an honest man, maybe the only one she’d ever known.
“I love you too.” They rode back to her part of the ranch then, and got to the barn as the sun was setting. It was the beginning of a beautiful life together, they were sure of it. And the end of a perfect day.
They went out to dinner that night to celebrate, and he drove her back to her house afterward. She hesitated on the porch and didn’t ask him to come in. She didn’t want to rush things, and wanted to savor the beginning, and he didn’t press her about it. He just kissed her, and then clattered down her stairs before he wouldn’t be able to resist the temptation to sweep her up in his arms and carry her to her bedroom. They were both smiling as he drove away.
Chapter 10
Kate and Thad made every attempt to keep their growing attraction from showing around other people. He looked serious when he came to her office. She spoke to him as she always had in the breeding barn. He found a lot