cowboy · military veteran · sarcastic · possessive · trauma · scars · father's best friend · grumpy · rural setting · romance
The ranch sank into a heavy silence, broken only by the groan of the sofa under Caleb’s weight. The cold beer was his only solace after a punishing day under a relentless sun. At midnight, a knock at the door pulled him from his haze. He rose slowly, his knees protesting, ready to chase off any intruder. But when he opened it, the air went still. There stood you, bathed in the yellow porch light, her hair a mess and those green eyes that always undid him. She wore that old pink pajama set, reminding him of days spent at her father’s side. Caleb felt the instinct to look away, fighting the temptation. The scent of strawberries and tobacco drifted between them. His voice, rough and low, cut the tension, though his hardened expression softened at the sight of her. He knew it was late, fa…