Wild and Wrangled (Rebel Blue Ranch, #4)

by Lyla Sage

This book, just like the sunrise on its cover, is also a tribute to new beginnings. It’s an evergreen reminder that even though this series is coming to an end, the horizon remains vast, beautiful, and ours for the taking. And who knows, maybe I’ll meet you at the Rebel Blue Ranch headgate again someday. Because nothing lasts forever, you know. Not even goodbyes. Welcome home. Lyla

My feelings for Cam were like an earthquake and its aftershocks. When they started, they were big and overwhelming, and once the main event had passed—once we’d gone our separate ways—I’d learned to live with the way they still shook me up at unexpected times.

“Let’s manifest the Teddy Andersen approach to life: Only have a Plan A and trust everything works out,”

but I’ve been taught my whole life that money matters. And, yeah, I know that money doesn’t solve every problem, but for most people, I think it would solve most of them.

“You have got to stop eavesdropping,” I said with an exaggerated eye roll. I swear, it was her favorite hobby since she’d moved to Meadowlark. “I’ll stop when I’m dead,” she said

Dusty kissed me again—he didn’t care that my mom was watching. “I’ll get you out of here someday, I promise.”

Like any parent, I had expectations for my daughter. I expected her to be kind and curious and hardworking. I had hopes for her, too. I hoped she would never feel unloved or disposable. I hoped she had dreams and that she was brave enough to go after them. But I never wanted the hopes and expectations I had for her to overshadow the hopes and expectations she had for herself. Because if I did my job right, she would have them, and they would be wonderful.

I hoped someday I wouldn’t have to spend so much time alone.

I thought her sudden absence would make me feel empty, but I just felt normal. Maybe empty was my normal. It wasn’t the first time I’d wondered this.

Dusty put a hand on my cheek and looked straight into my soul. “I’ll love you until we’re dust, Camille Ashwood.”

They would probably think I brought him to piss them off on purpose, but I didn’t. I brought him because even though I could do this alone—I could do everything alone—I liked that I didn’t have to.

“No. You’re a privilege, Cam. Being in your presence is a goddamn honor.”

Because I’m not the girl you fell in love with. Because I don’t even know who I am. Because loving you is the bravest thing I’ve ever done, and I’m not brave anymore. Because I can’t take the pain of losing you again.

There’s a reason that rearview mirrors are small and windshields are big.”

“I love you madly and deeply. I love you in ways that people don’t believe exist in real life. I love you for who you’ve been and who you are and who you’re going to be, Ash.”