CHAPTER 23: AUGUST

_ Harry Houdini _

Wade and I are out on horseback, the familiar rhythm of Rebel's stride beneath me is soothing as we prepare to check fence lines in the furthest pasture where we'll be moving the cattle to. Wade's riding just ahead on his horse, Benny, the man and horse in perfect sync, like they can communicate on a spiritual level. My horse Rebel and I have that as well. We can make magic happen.

[Wade] "Sheesh. Looks like a group of deer came plowing through here." Wade says, pointing to a spot where the fence is mowed over with tuffs of light-colored hair strewn throughout it. "Oh yeah, they did a number on this section. I can go back and grab a new post and supplies and have this done today."

[August] "We can get to it tomorrow." I reply, though my mind is wandering, not really focused on the work at hand. It's been like that lately—my thoughts always drifting back to a time that feels so long ago now.

Just as I'm about to nudge Ranger forward, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see "Momma" flashing on the screen. My heart skips a beat. Momma doesn't usually call unless it's important.

"Hold up, Wade," I call out as I answer the phone. "Hey, Momma, what's up?"

"August, you need to get back to the house quick," she says, her voice tight with urgency. Panic grips me like a vise.

"Is it Pappy?" I ask, my voice rising in fear. Pappy hasn't been feeling good the last couple of days, and my mind immediately jumps to the worst. "Is he okay?"

There's a brief pause, and Momma's voice softens, though there's still that edge of urgency. "Just get back here, son. Now."

"I'm on my way," I say, and hang up before she can say anything else. My heart is pounding as I turn to Wade, who's already urging Bear toward me.

"Something's up," I tell him, my voice clipped with worry. "We gotta get back to the house."

Wade doesn't hesitate, just nods and spurs Bear forward, and I follow suit, urging Ranger into a fast gallop. The world around me blurs as we race back across the pasture, my thoughts a tangled mess. If something's wrong with Pappy...

We reach the house in record time, and I pull Ranger to a halt, the sudden stop making dust swirl up around us. My eyes catch on an unfamiliar car parked in the driveway. I frown—who the hell would be visiting at a time like this?

Wade dismounts first and grabs Ranger's reins as I slide off, my boots hitting the ground hard. My heart's in my throat as I turn toward the house, expecting the worst, when suddenly, a man steps off the porch.

I freeze, my breath catching in my chest.

Shaggy copper hair, a familiar smile, and a blue and green kilt—the sight nearly knocks the wind out of me.

Patrick.

He's really here, standing in my driveway on Schuster Ranch like it's the most natural thing in the world.

"Hey, cowboy," Patrick says, his voice warm and just as I remembered.

I blink, trying to process what I'm seeing. "Hey, Scotsman."

I'm moving before I even realize it, crossing the distance between us in long, eager strides. Patrick mirrors me, and then we're crashing into each other's arms, the world fading away as I bury my face in the crook of his neck.

His scent, his warmth—it's all so real, so grounding. I can feel the tension that's been coiled tight in my chest for weeks finally start to unravel.

"I missed you," I breathe into his ear, my voice thick with emotion.

Patrick's grip tightens around me, his hand pressing firmly against my back as if he's afraid I might disappear. "I missed you too, August. More than you know."

We pull back just enough to look at each other, our faces inches apart, and without thinking, I lean in and capture his lips in a kiss. It's soft at first, a gentle meeting of mouths, but it quickly deepens, all the pent-up longing pouring out into this one moment.

By the time we pull apart, both of us are breathless, and I can hear my family's voices behind me. I turn slightly, still holding Patrick close, and see Momma, Duke, Eli, and Presley standing on the porch, their eyes wide with surprise and curiosity.

"Patrick, this is my family," I say, my voice a little shaky as I make the introductions. "Momma, Duke, Eli, Presley—this is Patrick."

Patrick gives them a warm smile, the one that always makes my heart skip a beat. "It's a pleasure to meet y'all," he says, his Scottish accent thickening just a touch.

Momma steps forward first, a soft smile on her face as she pulls Patrick into a hug. "So you're the one who's been keeping my boy's heart," she says, and there's a knowing look in her eyes when she pulls back. "Welcome to the family, Patrick."

"Thank you, ma'am," Patrick replies, looking a little flustered but pleased.

Eli and Presley offer nods and handshakes, while Duke gives him a once-over and a grin. "Well, this explains why August has been so distracted lately."

"Duke, hush," Momma scolds, but there's no real heat in it. She turns to me, her eyes twinkling. "Duke, go take care of August's ranch chores. He's taking the rest of the day off, per my orders."

"What for?" Duke grumbles, though there's a playful edge to his tone. "I already did my share."

"Because I said so, that's why," Momma retorts, her tone brooking no argument.

I usually would protest—there's always too much to do on the ranch to be taking time off—but for once, I'm actually thrilled to take a break.

"All right, all right," Duke concedes, throwing his hands up in surrender. "I'm going."

As Duke heads off to take care of my chores, I look back at Patrick, my heart swelling with a mix of emotions I can't even begin to untangle. But one thing is clear—Patrick's here, really here, and I'm not about to waste a single moment.

I glance around for Wade, ready to introduce him to Patrick, but he's gone. I frown, wondering when he slipped away, but then shake it off, focusing on the man in front of me.

"You got plans for the rest of the day?" Patrick asks, a teasing light in his eyes.

"Just you," I reply, grinning.

"Good answer," he says, and there's a warmth in his voice that sends a thrill through me.

"Let's go inside," I suggest, slipping my hand into his. "I'll give you the grand tour of the ranch."

"Lead the way, cowboy," Patrick says, squeezing my hand.

As we walk toward the house, my family trailing behind us, I can't help but feel like this is the start of something new, something I didn't even realize I needed until now. And for the first time in a long while, everything feels right.

Patrick's really here , and suddenly, all the empty spaces inside me don't seem so empty anymore.

As we lay there, his head resting in the crook of my arm and our bodies as close as we would get, my mind felt the most peace it's had in almost two months, but my mind kept pestering me.

[August] "I'm exhausted, but I don't wanna fall asleep."

[Patrick] "Why is that?" He absently rubs my back, his eyes closed as jetlag settles in. He's going to be out of it for a while.

My throat is tight with emotion as I confess.

[August] "I'm afraid you'll disappear, like I'll wake up and this will all be an illusion." I hold him tighter, unwilling to let go. Patrick's laughter fills the room and vibrates against me.

He stares at me with an amused smirk.

[Patrick] "August, If what we just did is all an illusion, then I'm Harry-fuckin-Houdini."