Page 143 of Thaw My Heart

“For Cole?”

He narrows his eyes, placing a frustrated tattooed hand on his hip. “Alright, two guesses.”

Is he saying what I think he is?

All of it… it’s yours.

Kit’s words replay in my mind.

“Me?” my voice croaks.

“Yep,” he confirms.

My entire face feels cold, and it’s not from the current frigid and windy weather. This is a huge surprise.

“If he didn’t sign the papers, the ranch would’ve gone to Cash,” Blake continues. “And Cash would’ve sold it and run off with his millions, leaving us all without jobs and livelihoods.”

My mind spins like a spinning top, unable to stop. “But why?”

“He wanted to make sure you’d always have this place.”

Such a simple thing, and yet tears build in my eyes, threatening to break open like a dam.

“Would’ve been nice if he’d cared about everyone else in this big decision of his, but… Hey, Sadie, are you okay?” he asks, noticing the tears streaming down my face.

“Yes. I’m just processing,” I wipe away a runaway tear, smiling at him as more continue to fall. My heart is so happy it hurts.

He eyes me carefully and then curses under his breath, shaking his head with regret. “When Kit tells you all of this. I said nothing. You’re going to cry just like you are now and be in complete and utter shock. You got it?” he arches a dark brow.

“Got it.” My smile is so big it hurts my face.

Blake grumbles under his breath, grabbing the lead rope. “I’m so fucking screwed,” he murmurs, leading his horse into the main barn.

Tears continue to stain my cheeks as my gaze roams to the Lone Pine Ranch logo hung proudly on the arch of the grand timber barn, feeling my heart swell with emotion. He signed the papers for me… but didn’t he love this place too?

He had to.

Thankfully, he’s going to be back soon to answer all of my burning questions. With my foot in the stirrup, I hop on Sugar, heading home to get ready for our date.

A strong breeze nearly blows me off the saddle as grey skies loom over the mountains. As soon as I get home, I’m having a hot shower to warm the chill in my bones. Might even try to convince Kit to do our date in front of the fireplace, where it’s warm, considering there are a lot of things we need to talk about. I also still had yet to fuck him on that fur rug. Maybe tonight we could rectify⁠—

The frigid air fills with screams, cutting off my train of thought.

My heart lurches in my chest, glancing back at the source of the horror.

The main barn is lit up in bright flames.

Blake’s name is on the tip of my tongue, and then I’m riding hard back to the ranch. The smell of smoke and fire fills my nostrils as everyone runs around trying to put the fire out. Trying to let out as many horses as they can.

It’s absolute chaos.

The sound of horses screaming sinks into my bones, paralyzing me as the fire threatens to devour everything in its path. Black smoke fills the air, stinging my eyes, but I still don’t see Blake.

“Let out the herd!” Ryker screams, pointing at the cow pen near the barn, too close to the rising flames.

“Where’s Blake?” I grab his arm, heart pounding, coughing as the smoke burns in my lungs.

Ryker glances around and then at the fire. “I haven’t seen him.”