Claimed & Cherished by Fierce Cowboys

Sarah

The old cabin walls creaked, groaning as if they shared the ache lodged deep in my chest. Darkness crept in through the windows, shadows lengthening like silent whispers of memories I’d fought so hard to bury. My fingers trembled around the mug of lukewarm tea, gripping tighter as another gust of wind rattled the fragile panes. I'd been brave, or so I’d told myself, coming here alone to Pine Hollow. But tonight, bravery felt like nothing more than a lie I’d whispered to a woman I barely recognized.

The fire in the hearth was dying, its faint glow barely enough to chase the chill from the air. My breath misted slightly, a reminder of how alone I truly was in this forgotten corner of the world. Grant Walker had insisted I stay here, promising safety and quiet—a sanctuary away from the ghosts that haunted my every step. But now, alone in this fragile shelter, all I could feel was my vulnerability, my scars opening anew, raw and aching.

Outside, the storm surged harder, howling like a wounded animal. Each gust of wind twisted knots tighter in my stomach, fear scratching sharply beneath my skin. I set the mug down, forcing myself to stand, and paced toward the window. Snow whipped relentlessly, a blur of angry white that made my heart race in anxious dread. What if he didn’t come back? What if something had happened to him out there?

Grant was supposed to be checking on the livestock, securing the barn against the storm. But he'd been gone too long—far too long for my frazzled nerves. My hands pressed to the cold glass, peering into the swirling void. Panic tightened my chest. I’d barely known him, yet his absence felt like a missing piece of myself, a critical anchor ripped free. It was irrational, yet the feeling was as real and painful as the cold seeping through the walls.

The faint echo of footsteps cut through the wind’s howl, and my heart leapt into my throat. I stepped back quickly, hand flying to my chest as the door creaked open, wind and snow swirling briefly before it slammed shut. Grant stepped inside, his powerful frame silhouetted briefly against the fading daylight, covered in snow, shoulders hunched from the bitter cold. Relief flooded my veins so intensely, my knees nearly buckled.

“You shouldn’t be near the window, Sarah.” His voice was deep, edged with exhaustion but gentle beneath the hardness of his words.

“I was worried,” I admitted softly, wrapping my arms around myself, feeling suddenly small and exposed. “You were gone so long.”

He paused, eyes locking onto mine, his gaze deep and penetrating. Snow clung to his rugged features, melting in slow rivulets down his stubbled jaw. “Storm's worse than I thought. Had to secure things tighter. Didn’t mean to frighten you.”

My cheeks burned, embarrassment mingling with relief. “I’m sorry. I’m just... not used to this. To any of this.”

His features softened subtly, the edge of his hard expression melting away. "You don’t have to apologize, Sarah. Ever."

He crossed the room, removing his heavy jacket, muscles flexing beneath his damp shirt. I watched silently, unable to look away from the strength evident in his broad shoulders, the quiet intensity radiating from every motion. A shiver crawled down my spine—one that had nothing to do with the lingering chill.

“You’re still cold,” he murmured, eyes narrowing slightly in concern.

“I’m fine.” But even as the words left my mouth, a tremor betrayed me.

He stepped closer, carefully, as if approaching a frightened animal. The kindness in his eyes dismantled my defenses, brick by stubborn brick. “Sarah, I’m not going to hurt you.”

I drew a shaky breath, lifting my chin in defiance of my own vulnerability. "I know."

He took another careful step, stopping inches away, his presence an intoxicating blend of strength and tenderness. “But someone else did. And it still haunts you, doesn't it?”

Tears welled unbidden, burning my eyes. My throat tightened painfully, and I looked away, ashamed of the sudden rush of emotion. “I thought I could leave it behind. I thought distance would heal me. But some scars... they just don’t fade.”

He gently lifted a calloused hand, fingers softly brushing beneath my chin, turning my face to meet his gaze once more. "Maybe scars aren’t meant to fade completely. Maybe they remind us we've survived. That we’re strong enough to keep fighting."

His touch was gentle, impossibly warm, a stark contrast to the icy fear gripping my heart moments before. My breath quickened, every nerve suddenly aware of him, the air between us crackling with unspoken tension.

“Why do you care so much?” I whispered, my voice breaking softly, barely audible over the storm outside.

His eyes darkened with something deep and unreadable. “Because I see the pain you hide. Because every time you flinch, it feels like I’ve failed you somehow. And Sarah, I can’t stand the thought of failing you.”

Time stretched between us, a heartbeat becoming eternity. The world narrowed to the warmth of his hand, the sincerity in his eyes, the ragged breathing I realized belonged to both of us.

And just as I felt the pull to close the distance between us, to lose myself in the refuge he offered, a violent gust slammed against the cabin walls, rattling every board, shattering the fragile moment.

Grant pulled away, his jaw tightening as he glanced toward the door, clearly conflicted. "I need to check the roof before this gets worse. Promise you'll stay away from the windows this time."

“Grant—” I reached out instinctively, needing to hold onto him, desperate not to lose the connection we’d forged. “Be careful.”

He caught my hand in his, squeezing gently, eyes fierce and protective. "I will. And Sarah? I'll always come back for you. Always."

Then, releasing me reluctantly, he strode out into the raging storm once more, leaving me trembling—no longer from fear, but from the powerful certainty that I’d just found someone worth trusting again.

—End of sample.

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