Every week different businesses would come to the college to recruit students. AJ could probably pick and choose where she wanted to work but none of the health care companies were in Wyoming. Where her heart was.

Her weary head fell into the couch cushions. For the first two weeks after her house burned down and she'd returned to Denver, Cord called her every day. Sometimes twice a day. She never picked up. The messages weren't sweet and loving, but terse. Typical. Then he'd stopped calling altogether.

AJ knew things were crazy at the McKay ranch. Colt had returned home after a month-long stint in rehab. Channing's pregnancy wasn't going smoothly and the doc put her on partial bed rest, which worried Colby. Carter postponed his art show to help out on the ranch since Kade was gone for the whole winter. Quinn and Bennett pitched in. Macie ran into major remodeling snags with the diner, which required her constant onsite supervision.

And Cord well, evidently Cord was the glue that held it all together.

So who held him together?

No one. She had no doubt Cord worked all day, came home and cared for his son, and fell into bed exhausted and alone every night.

Which made her heart hurt. AJ hadn't stopped loving him, she was pretty sure if Cord could love any woman, it would be her. She wondered fifteen times every day if she'd done the right thing in walking away from him, when he'd offered her exactly what she'd wanted from him.

Wrong. You wanted his love. You didn't get that.

Two loud raps on the metal door startled her. She stood and looked out the peephole. A deliveryman. With flowers.

The safety chain clicked. Yes?

Flower delivery.

Great. More flowers for Keely from one of her many admirers. Still she knew to ask before she opened the door. Who're the flowers for?

AJ Foster.

Really? she squealed and flung open the door. She'd never gotten flowers before. Ever. She took the bouquet to the table to rip open the card: AJ Close as I could get to Wyoming wildflowers. Hope it reminds you of home. I miss you. Cord Her mouth hung open. Cord had sent her flowers? She peered at the small purple daisies and the big yellow mums and the thick greenish-yellow stem which sort of resembled goldenrod. And the tiny white baby's breath, which reminded her of cow parsnip. She sniffed. Yep. He'd even had the florist use sage as the greenery. She grinned. Probably cost him an arm and a leg for that extra touch. Still, his sweetness touched her.

The next week Cord sent her two tickets to the Big and Rich concert at the Pepsi center. Shocked her he'd remembered they were her favorite band. She dragged Keely along and bought a Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) concert T-shirt and wore it to bed instead of his T-shirt she'd ended up with after the fire.

The following week a plain brown box arrived with FRAGILE stamped all over the outside. AJ opened it to find dozens of peanut butter kisses cookies. The note read: Ky helped make these. Not as good as your sweet kisses, baby doll. Think of me while you're eating these and studying Love CWM.

Oh man. The man was trying. Really trying.

Less than a week later, she received a box with the silver boots she'd forgotten in his front closet along with a new ballcap that that read: You Gonna Cowgirl Up and Ride? Or Lay There and Bleed?

No note. She wondered if the hat was a challenge.

Only two days passed before his next gift arrived via her cell phone. A streaming video of her horse running alongside Nickel and Jester and Ky's pony, Plug, in the frostcovered field behind Cord's barn. Then a close up of Lucy from the star on her nose to the tip of her long chestnut tail, the gorgeous autumn sunset as the backdrop, with Cord's husky voice in the background. She looks happy here, huh? Ky and I are takin' good care of her until you come back. I think Jester's got a thing for that stubborn mare. I know the feelin'. Quit bein' stubborn and call me, baby doll. I miss you somethin' fierce. The screen went blank.

AJ could scarcely see it through her tears. She hit redial and held her breath when Cord answered on the first ring.

AJ? Is that really you?

She sniffled and nodded.

You okay?

I am now. Ah. Yeah. Thanks for the video.

You're welcome.

And the tickets. The concert was awesome even if Keely got a little out of hand.

He chuckled. Don't need the details on that one.

Thanks for the flowers, too. They were so She started to cry.

Hey, now. No tears. I've been waitin' to hear from you for two and a half damn months and it'll bust my heart even more if you're sobbin' on the line the whole time. I can't take it.

Okay.

Pause. He sighed. Please, tell me everything you've been doin'. Don't leave nothin' out.

So AJ talked, half-afraid the conversation would be hopelessly one-sided, but Cord seemed eager to chat. An hour passed. Reluctantly, AJ said, I have homework to finish.

Can I call you again? Same time tomorrow?

I'd like that.

He cleared his throat. I have somethin' to say. I wish I could say it to your sweet face, but I ain't about to let the opportunity pass me by again. When you asked me if I loved you, I should've manned up. I didn't. I was a chickenshit, plain and simple. The truth is, I do love you, AJ. More'n you can possibly imagine.

Cord Let me finish while I still got the guts to do so. The last time I told a woman I loved her? She left me. So in my screwed up way of thinkin', I thought if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't leave me.

AJ was glad she was sitting down because she was light-headed and weak-kneed.

You left anyway. I understand now that even if I woulda told you how I felt, you still woulda left and your leavin' had nothin' to do with me.

You do?

Yep. Our partin' coulda been a lot sweeter, though.

I think you telling me how you feel is pretty sweet.

Oh, you ain't seen sweet, baby doll. Not by half.

She smiled even when her belly did a little flip.

Talk atcha tomorrow. Think of me.

Always.

Cord hung up.

AJ snapped the phone shut after she watched the video again.

They'd take this one day at a time. Might not be the fairy-tale ending she'd envisioned, but it was a start.

For the next two months Cord wooed AJ over the phone.

Once a week he sent her a package. Sometimes the items were funny, like a miniature windup dancing horse he'd picked up at the farm supply store. Or sweet, like a silvery camisole that he claimed matched her eyes. Or thoughtful, like a pair of flannel pajamas because he knew she was always cold. Or raunchy, like the fur-lined adult novelty handcuffs.

No matter what he sent, he included a hand-written note with the words I LOVE YOU written in all caps and underlined. Heavily underlined. Ky frequently contributed a drawing to the weekly mailing, in addition to demanding to talk to her at every opportunity.

If she thought she'd loved Cord before, it was nothing compared to the way she felt about him now.

AJ looked at the clock and smoothed the wrinkles from her denim skirt. Cord would be here any minute. Lord. They hadn't seen each other in over four months. Longest four months of her life. And yet, getting to know Cord on a non-physical level gave her a whole bunch more to appreciate about him.

She'd taken her last test and was officially a certified massage therapist. Seemed weird not to have a graduation ceremony. Seemed even weirder not to have a plan firmly in place about her future. She just hoped Cord was in it.

Three knocks sent her scurrying to the door. She flung herself into Cord's arms the second he stepped inside.

Oh God. You're here. You're really here.

Cord kicked the door shut and just held her. He tipped her face back to look into her eyes. Before I kiss you, before I touch you, let me say this: I love you. Sweet baby Jesus. I love you so damn much. He kissed her with a mix of tenderness and passion that had tears springing to her eyes.

When she broke away, she whispered, I love you too.

Then marry me, AJ. Not because we're compatible, or because you are a born ranch woman, or because you'd make a good mother. Marry me for me. Marry me because I'm a selfish bastard and I want you to be mine forever. Marry me because I don't know if I'll survive the rest of my life without havin' you by my side every damn day. Please say yes, baby doll. Make your home with me. With us. Make me the luckiest man in the world.

Yes.

Cord kissed her again.

All the need and hunger that'd been dormant inside her ignited like a brush fire. She tugged him toward her bedroom.

He gently dug his bootheels into the carpet. Nuh-uh. No hanky-panky until you're wearin' my ring and you're my wife.

But He lifted an eyebrow. That's one.

Can I have the swat now? I'll even take my skirt off. Shirt too. Her hands went to the buttons on her blouse.

Amy Jo. You ornery cuss. Keep them clothes on.

I missed you. I want you. I don't wanna wait. She nipped his chin and scraped her teeth down his throat. Bet I can getcha to change your mind.

Probably. But we ain't got much time, so there's two things we hafta talk about first. He reached inside his suit coat pocket and removed an envelope. Your mama gave me this to give to you.

What is it?

I have no idea.

AJ opened the letter and her heart caught at the familiar formal handwriting: Sweetheart- I'm glad Cord finally knows the truth about what you did to keep our ranch going. I'm thrilled he's asked for permission to marry you and I know you'll be happy to be home in Sundance where you belong and with a man who loves you like crazy.

You've no idea the guilt your father and I felt about how you worked so hard and got nothing in return but more work. In hindsight, we knew what we did was wrong. There's no way to make up for the lost time now, except to offer you this check as back wages and hope it eases the way for you to start your own business. You earned it. I'm so proud of you for finishing school. I miss you. Bring your new hubby and son up for a visit after you get settled. Congratulations!

Love you, baby girl, Mama She glanced down, in utter disbelief, at the check for thirty-five thousand dollars. I don't understand. Where did she get the money?

Our buyout was very generous, AJ. But I had nothin' to do with this. He pointed to the check. I ain't gonna argue that you earned it. You shouldn't argue either.

AJ's mind was already whirling. She could rent that storefront space in Sundance she'd been eyeing. Heck, she had money to renovate even if the loan from the state didn't come through. She looked up at Cord. Do you know if that space in the Sandstone Building next to Macie's restaurant is still up for grabs?

He shook his head. Afraid not. It's spoken for.

Shoot.

Cord put a finger under her chin. By you. I leased it in your name, AJ, last month.

Why? Did you know Mama was gonna give me this money?

No. I know you. I have faith in you. I know how good you are at givin' massages and so will everyone else in the county. Even if you wouldn't have gotten this unexpected windfall, I figure the state of Wyoming ain't dumb enough not to fund your business. I didn't want you to miss out on the space you'd set your heart on.

Really? You did it for me?

There ain't nothin' I wouldn't do for you. Just as he bent down to kiss her, the door opened and Keely and Colt burst in.

Did she say yes?

Of course she said yes. The woman's been in love with me since she was five. He whispered, I've got a lot of catchin' up to do.

Keely squealed and AJ smacked Cord in the arm before Keely squeezed her tight. We're really gonna be sisters now. This is so cool! So, you guys ready?

Ready for what?

Cord cursed.

You haven't told her? Colt grinned. Typical.

He sauntered over and hugged AJ. Welcome to the family. I'm gonna enjoy teasin' my bro about bein' a cradle robber for a long time to come.

AJ looked at Colt. He looked fit and healthy, even when a sense of wariness surrounded him that hadn't been there before. She whirled back around and faced her intended. Tell me what?

That we're goin' to Vegas. Tonight. To get married. Thought I'd surprise you. Colt and Keely are standin' up for us.

She stared at him, stunned.

Which caused him to babble. Come on, baby doll. I love you. You love me. I don't wanna wait. You told me when we talked about gettin' married on the phone the past coupla weeks that you didn't want a big weddin' ceremony. Colt and I got three days before we're needed at home. Keely said she'd kill me if she didn't get to see us tie the knot. Ky's stayin' with my folks, though it's makin' him mighty antsy waitin' for us to come home. I thought we could get hitched, and spend the night in the honeymoon suite of a swanky hotel. Then we'd come back here, pack your stuff and you could come home with me for good.

She continued to stare at him.

Ah, hell. Are you mad?

No. Just trying to wrap my head around the word home and you in the same sentence.

Cord's eyes softened. Same thing, in my opinion.

She melted. The feeling of rightness, of inevitability, flowed over as sweetly as it had when she'd been a young girl. But unlike then, she now knew real, true love earned through trial and error was better than any one-sided fairy tale love from afar.