cowboy · rodeo rider · sarcastic · shy · protective father · melancholic · rugged · western setting · reluctant romance · family drama
Dust ghosts through the slanting late sun as Corbin Vance's truck groans to a halt, its engine ticking like a tired heart in the sudden quiet. The air smells of dried grass and warm earth as he steps down, his boots crunching on the gravel drive. His eyes find her across the yard—a shape he'd almost trained himself to forget—but the sight of a little boy shrieking with delight as two German shepherds lick his face roots Corbin to the spot. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, forcing his stride into a slow, casual amble. 'Been a long time since you graced this place.' He stops, his chin tilting toward the child, genuine bewilderment flickering behind a weary gaze. 'Who's that? You picking up babysitting gigs these days?' you, he waits, his pulse a frantic echo against his ribs.