Prologue

Cassandra Ruby Johnston clung to Easton Coleville’s strong back. How was she going to walk away from him? He was the only part of her future that wasn’t falling into place. She hadn’t admitted it to him, but she never planned to return to Coleville, Montana.

Tears trickled down her cheeks at the very thought of not loving and being loved by Easton.

Easton built her confidence, inspired her, teased her, sang to her, held her when she almost fainted from even a simple paper cut, and loved her more completely than anyone in the world. How would she survive without him?

“Come on now, sweetheart.” Easton bent down and tenderly kissed the tears off her cheeks. No one else in the world knew how sweet, committed, and tender the charming, flirtatious, and teasing future bull-riding champion could be. “No need for you to cry salty tears. You’ll see your favorite person in the world soon. ”

Easton didn’t take anything seriously and probably had no clue what to do with these tears. She didn’t tell him he was wrong, that she wouldn’t see him soon. She kissed him fiercely instead. Easton returned the kiss, sweeping her off her feet and to another dimension.

When he set her back down, he smiled cockily down at her. “All better?”

“Of course.” She hid her fears behind a smile. “Your kisses heal every pain.”

And they had. His kisses—but more importantly his patience, humor, and dedication—had healed her from the betrayal of her dad cheating on her mom and deserting all of them. Easton’s kisses had distracted and inspired her when she was lonely, sad, or lacking faith in herself, her future, or her Savior. Easton’s patience had healed and lifted her when her older siblings left her behind with an embittered shell of a mother to pursue their own dreams.

She didn’t blame her siblings, but she wasn’t close to anyone but Easton, his family, and Daisy, Rose, and Lily Lillywhite.

Now it was her turn to pursue her dreams. She’d gotten a scholarship to Cornell University, the top university in the world for a hospitality management degree. Soon she’d be achieving her goals as a wedding planner and best of all getting out of Coleville and away from her broken family.

Sadly, there was no clear future for her and Easton. Ranching, Montana, his family, and bull riding were all part of his makeup. He couldn’t change who he was, and she wouldn’t want him to. He’d never follow her to New York, and she’d never ask him to. No matter that Easton said she’d see him soon; that felt as likely as her dad returning.

“I’d better go,” she murmured. She took a deep inhale of his mind-altering scent, not wanting to ever forget the mint, citrus, and pine combination.

“‘It feels, just like, we’d never said goodbye’,” he sang in a husky and twangy voice.

She smiled, but her tears came again.

“Remember our first kiss?” he asked softly. “‘Are you going to kiss me or not?’” He belted out the song from Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy again.

She laughed and her tears settled for the moment. “How could I resist that?”

He winked, gave her one more lingering kiss, and swung open the door of her rusted-out Hyundai. “You sure this piece o’ metal is going to make it across the country? I could drive you in my sweet new ride.” He tilted his head to the obnoxious, massive bright blue Ram truck towering over her once-white car.

If only she could take him up on his offer. Then she wouldn’t be alone. She’d have Easton by her side. She’d make it safely to Cornell, laughing and having a fabulous time on the road trip, and put off saying goodbye to him for thirty more hours.

Shaking her head firmly, she faked bravado. “I’ve got this. You don’t need to worry about your sweet girl.”

“I do. I fret about you like an old geezer stressing over the world going to heck in a hand basket.” Easton was teasing as always, but his blue eyes got a rare serious look in them. He was worried about her safety, worried about her happiness, worried about them never being together again. She could see all of it in his summer blue eyes.

She slid into the car rather than responding. They’d been over this. She had to do this on her own. If he came with her to Ithaca, New York she’d never let him go. Easton would wither in a location without wide open spaces, sky high mountains, horses, bulls, and especially his family. He was blessed with a close and loving family and a twin brother who would do anything for him.

“I’ll call when I get there,” she promised.

“Be safe. And don’t let those East Coast boys steal your heart from the most charming and handsome cowboy on Earth.” He pointed to himself.

Cassie laughed at that, knowing he was teasing and confident that no man could steal her heart from him. She almost told him to stay away from Trudy Everett. The annoying girl was head over heels for Easton and wouldn’t leave him alone. She didn’t need to say it, though; Easton loved Cassie and would never dream of cheating on her. “Not possible. My heart is yours now and forever.”

Easton grinned and gave her a cocky wink, but she could see past the shield of charm he put up for everyone else. He would miss her fiercely and was worried this was goodbye. She wasn’t sure if she wanted him to beg her not to go and destroy her dreams, demand he go with her and destroy his own, or just shut the car door and close the door on their future together, letting her cry and mourn his loss the thirty-four hours it would take to drive to Cornell.

“‘Just one more thing before you leave … don’t forget to remember me,’” he sang the Carrie Underwood song softly, and she choked up. “Love you, my sweet but sassy Cass.”

He closed the door and stepped back before she could protest that she was all sweet, no sass. Would he laugh and kiss her again? Or was her tough cowboy as close to breaking down as she was?

Their usual tease was interrupted by the finality of the closing door. It was worse than closing the coffin on Granny’s grave last month. Granny had been her only stable and invested family member. Cassie missed her. Ironically, Granny’s death and the special inheritance set aside for Cassie had given her the money she needed to move across the country, pay rent, and eat. Her scholarship would cover books and tuition. She probably should’ve upgraded her car, but she wanted to be smart and not run out of funds.

Starting the Hyundai, she lifted one hand and then put it in gear and gunned it. Within ten seconds, she’d hit forty. Pretty good for this old girl.

She focused in the rearview on the figure standing in the middle of the road watching her go. Easton Coleville, the most handsome, charming, and devoted cowboy in Montana. She touched her lips, wondering if he’d ever hold and kiss her again.

Her stomach twisted, and she feared she was making a very poor choice. What kind of woman drove away from a future with Easton Coleville?

Cassie gripped the steering wheel with determination. She had a lot to prove. To herself and to the town of Coleville. She wasn’t a quitter like her father, a whiner like her mother, or relying on Easton and the impressive Coleville family like she’d heard from the gossip going around.

Cassandra Ruby Johnston would be successful, and she would do it on her own.

She tried to think positively and not give in to the despair of leaving Easton behind. They were only eighteen. This wasn’t the end of their love story. In the future, they could reconcile their vastly different dreams and somehow come together, marry, and have a family.

Yet as he disappeared from view, a chill swept over her, and she feared she was making the most short-sighted decision of her life.

Four Years Later

Cassie Johnston raced around the gorgeous mansion that had been converted into a wedding venue. She was moments away from pulling off a high-dollar wedding, only her third major event coming out of college. Her boss Baxter Churchill trusted her and was here tonight as a guest. He’d already pulled her aside and told her she was getting a huge bonus and more prestigious events were in the future.

The only thing marring this perfect night was her boyfriend Easton Coleville.

She scowled. Former boyfriend.

Right before she’d gone to retrieve the bride to walk down the aisle, she’d checked her phone to make certain she hadn’t missed anything on her list. A text had come through from a college friend with an attachment. A photo posted in a Western magazine of the well-loved bull rider Easton Coleville receiving a kiss from one of his many admirers.

Cassie still couldn’t wrap her mind around it. Easton had women chasing him constantly, but even though they’d been in a long-distance relationship for over four years, he always promised he was faithful to her.

I could never love anyone like my sweet but sassy Cass , he repeatedly told her. They texted most days, and yesterday he’d sent the old song from Don Williams, “You’re the Only Girl for Me”.

Yeah right .

The kiss had looked more than consensual. In fact, he’d been dipping the girl back and obviously enjoying himself.

“Are you all right, Cassie?” a voice asked at her side.

She whirled to see her boss, Baxter.

He was a handsome man, debonair even, wearing a Brioni suit with his blond hair combed back. He was barely thirty, a widower, and ultra-successful with the events business he had inherited from his deceased grandmother.

“Yes.” She forced a smile. “Everything is going perfectly. Ten more minutes of dancing and we’ll cut the cake, have the send off, and I can go outside, say a prayer of gratitude, and savor this win.”

“I’ve noticed you do that.” He grinned. “How about a dance to celebrate first?”

“I’d love to.” Normally she’d keep her distance if a man showed any indication of flirting, but Baxter was a professional and her boss. He was only being friendly.

He whirled her around the ballroom. Even though she’d orchestrated all of this, she felt like she was on a movie set. The flowers were gorgeous and fragrant, the decorations ethereal and made her feel as if she were floating. The beautiful bride and groom waltzed past. The bride smiled and nodded to her. Dancing as part of the happy wedding crowd was the cherry on top.

Baxter held her more firmly as they danced. It wasn’t unpleasant. The song was almost over when he stopped, pulled her even tighter, and said, “You are an impressive and beautiful lady, Cassie. I’m honored to have you on my team and would love to get to know you on a more personal level.”

She stared up at him, stunned. It was on her lips to tell him she had a boyfriend, but did she? Easton had a lot to answer for.

“Don’t answer yet,” he said softly, his head bowing closer to hers. “Think about it and know it won’t affect your job either way. You’re an incredible employee and I’d never want to risk losing you.” His gaze became intense. “But I also wouldn’t want to miss out on something beautiful happening between us.”

He crossed the last few inches and his lips softly brushed hers.

Cassie was frozen. She had no idea how to respond. Though she was mad at Easton, kissing or talking about dating anyone else felt wrong and like a betrayal to all that she and Easton had together. Or used to have. He’d actually cheated on her. She could hardly wrap her mind around it.

Baxter was suddenly ripped backwards and spun around. Cassie caught a glimpse of Easton towering over her boss in his black cowboy hat, button down shirt, black Wranglers, and dress boots.

Easton slammed a fist into Baxter’s face. Screams and cries lifted around the room as Baxter was knocked to the wood floor with the single punch.

“Easton!” Cassie cried out.

She dropped to her knees next to Baxter who was holding his cheek and moaning as he lay flat on his back. Glaring up at Easton, she yelled, “You are completely out of control! What are you even doing here?”

“What am I doing?” Easton glowered at her. She’d never seen him glower before. “You’re cheating on the most perfect cowboy on earth with this metro loser?”

“I am not the one cheating, and he is not a loser,” she seethed. “Get out of here. I never want to see you again.”

Easton’s blue eyes reflected deep anguish.

She immediately felt guilty for her harsh words, but then the picture of him kissing some redhead came forefront in her mind. How dare he stomp in here, mess up her hugely successful event, ruin the perfect bride and groom’s wedding, hit her boss, and accuse her of cheating?

“Don’t worry,” Easton said between clenched teeth, his arm muscles bulging as he clenched his fists too. “You never will.”

With that, he whirled and stormed through the gaping crowd. They parted like he had a communicable disease.

Cassie watched him go, her stomach churning and her heart sinking. Had Easton really cheated on her, hit her boss, and promised she’d never see him again?

It was surreal and too painful to deal with right now. She focused on Baxter, her hands trembling and bile clawing at her throat. She feared she’d throw up. Easton had no right to accuse her of cheating or punch her boss. But terror rolled through her. Easton also always stood by his word … except when he cheated on her. If he said she wouldn’t see him again, they were definitely through.

Anguish filled her so deeply her chest ached and it was impossible to catch a full breath.

She rubbed at her heart and looked around the stunned crowd.

Looking down at her boss, she murmured, “I am so sorry.”

“I’ll be all right.” He gave her a smooth smile. “Was that your boyfriend?”

“‘Was’ is the key word,” she said.

His smile grew. “Then the hit was worth it.”

Cassie didn’t agree with him. This whole night was a horrendous and unbelievable bad dream.

Had she really lost Easton?