Red had phoned him at his house to pass along his thanks again to Valerie, saying what a great coincidence it had been to run into her at the end of the road, and how she’d saved his mother’s life.

That had been ten minutes ago. Which meant she would be getting to the end of the county line road soon. And he might just have a shot at reaching her.

Which was probably a really stupid idea, given that she’d made it damn clear she wanted to hightail it out of there. And he’d almost let her.

Almost.

But maybe her pit stop at Red’s had been a sign that she shouldn’t go. And maybe she’d see it that way, too.

Or maybe she wouldn’t. Either way, he was going to give it one last shot and try to convince her to stay. Because he hadn’t yet told her that he still loved her, that he still needed her, that he still wanted her. And all those things needed to be said. Then if she still walked away, he’d at least know he’d given it all he had.

And maybe he’d finally be able to put it to rest this time.

Maybe.

He hit the brights as the Jeep bounced over the rough bumps in the unpaved dirt road, though he knew this road like he knew his own name, had traveled it by bike, horse and car since he’d arrived here at sixteen. He knew where the intersection was, could find it blind.

There was a car stopped there, its lights cutting through the thin layer of fog creeping up from the surrounding pasture. Mason slowed, waited for the car to make a turn.

It didn’t. So he turned left and pulled up alongside, already knowing who it would be. No one traveled this road at night because there was no place to go to on it.

He waited.

She got out of the car. So did he, moving around the front of the Jeep. He hooked his thumbs in his belt loops and hitched a breath, prepared to spill his guts—and his heart—to the woman he’d loved his entire life.

But he never got the chance, because she launched herself against him, wrapped her arms around him, lifted herself up on him and knocked him against the front of the Jeep when the force of her body connected with his. Her mouth sought his, and every word he was going to say was gone in the night fog and the spring wind as Valerie slid her tongue into his mouth.

The heat of her body wrapped itself around his, her kiss telling him everything he needed to know.

She was here to stay. He grabbed hold of her butt and lifted her, and her legs wrapped around him tight while they kissed each other, their mouths exploring, her questing fingers knocking off his hat to tangle in his hair. He did the same, pulling her ponytail holder out so his fingers could dive into her hair. He just wanted to hold on, wanted to inhale the scent of her shampoo, the soapy sweet smell of her skin, and hope like hell this wasn’t a dream.

Breathless, she finally pulled away from the kiss, her expression somber.

“Mason.”

“Yeah.”

“I love you with all my heart. I’m an idiot. I always have been. I don’t deserve you, but God, I love you so much. And if you’ll have me, I’d love to be your wife again. For good and forever this time.”

Mason had never welled up tears for anything in his life.

Until now. And if that made him less than a man, then he could live with it. Because nothing on this earth could make him cry except this woman.

Love did that to a man.

“Valerie.”

“Yes.”

“I’ve loved you since the minute I met you. And when you’re ornery and obstinate and stubborn and refuse to see things my way, I’m still going to love you. I will love you for every moment on this earth we have together. And I would be honored to make you my wife, forever.”

She hadn’t let the walls down in such a long time, but with Mason she knew she could. Finally, she could. She buried her head against his chest and sobbed, a mixture of relief that he still loved her, and sadness for what she’d almost let go again.

“I’m so sorry. Mason, I’m so sorry.” And once she let it out, she couldn’t seem to stop, mumbling and sniffling and crying and apologizing. And through it all, Mason held her tight and stroked her back and kissed her hair, until she had nothing left but hiccups and a stuffy nose.

He dried her eyes with his handkerchief and handed it to her so she could blow her nose.

“I look a wreck,” she said, wiping her nose.

“Yeah, you do.”

She laughed and punched his arm.

“And you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. You always will be.”

She didn’t think she could cry anymore, but fresh tears pooled. “Stop saying nice things to me. It’ll make me cry more.”

“You want me to call you a selfish bitch?”

She choked out a laugh. “That’s a good start.”

“Come on. Let’s get these vehicles back to the ranch and tell everyone the good news.”

“And then you can take me to your place and make love to me.”

He held her at arm’s length. “Or better yet, I’ll take you upstairs to our room, to that bed I hate because my feet hang off. I know you love that house.”

“We’ll make modifications. We’ll build an addition. And get a king-sized bed. Or we’ll build our own place. A new one that’s just ours.”

He laughed. “That’s good enough. Maybe a few extra rooms, too.”

She looped her arms around his neck. “For all those kids we’re going to have.”

“We’d better get home in a hurry so we can get started first.”

She gasped. “I’m scandalized. You would knock me up without benefit of marriage?”

“In a heartbeat, Doc.”

“Then I guess it’s off to the courthouse for us, stat.”

“Let’s stop off at the bedroom first before we break the news to your family.”

She moved against him, feeling the hard ridge of his erection. Heat swelled between her legs, her nipples aching and tight. “The hell with stopping off at the bedroom. How about right here?”

He arched a brow and jerked her closer, his hands roaming her ass. “Out here, in front of nature and cattle and who knows who might drive by?”

She lifted onto her toes and tightened her hold around his neck. “If I’m going to be a rancher’s wife, I’d better get used to dropping trou . . . wherever. This seems as good a spot as any.”

The look he gave her melted her to the spot. “You make my dick hard, Valerie.”

She shot him a wicked grin. “Why, I’d love to do it against the Jeep. I thought you’d never ask.”

He flipped her around so fast her head spun. In seconds, her jeans were unzipped and around her ankles and his hand cupped her sex. She let out a low moan at how fast he’d worked her into a frenzy of passion and need.

“Now, Mason.”

She heard his zipper and the rustle of his clothing, and then he was inside her, unsheathed, hot and thick and thrusting until she screamed. It was so damn good she didn’t care who heard her.

“Yes. Fuck me.”

He wound his arm around her and found her clit and she was there in seconds, the emotion and sexual energy combining to get her off in record time.

“Mason, I’m coming.”

And he was right there with her, pumping inside her, then groaning as he came.

Her legs were shaking as he withdrew and helped her pull her jeans back up. She turned around and suddenly they were both laughing. Mason dragged her into his arms and kissed her so deeply the fires of passion burst inside her again.

“I think we’d better get home in a hurry,” he said, his cock hard and insistent against her.

“I think you might be right.”

He turned her away from him. “I’ll lead. You follow.”

She moved to her car. “Don’t drive slow. I need you.”

The smile he gave her as he slipped on his cowboy hat and climbed into his Jeep was one she’d never forget. And for as long as she lived, she’d know she’d made the right decision.

She turned the car right and headed home, where she belonged.