Boots & Baby Food

Bonus Scene – A Domestic Moment from Bennett Ridge
Set 3 months after the Chapter 1 of Untamed Secrets

Laney’s POV

There’s something about the smell of warm oats, coffee, and saddle leather that makes this little kitchen feel like home.

Wyatt is in his highchair, shirtless, face smeared with peach puree, holding his spoon like a branding iron. “I do it, Mama!” he declares, swinging the spoon toward his mouth and narrowly missing his cheek.

“Try not to feed your ear this time, cowboy,” I say, laughing as I wipe off his chin.

Cole’s boots echo across the hardwood floor, spurs clinking softly, a sound I’ve come to love more than I ever expected. He leans against the doorframe, hat tilted low, arms folded, watching us with that lazy smile that still makes my belly flutter.

“You two look like a rodeo wreck,” he says, voice low and teasing.

I turn and raise an eyebrow. “Says the man tracking mud into my clean kitchen.”

He shrugs one shoulder, unapologetic. “Wyatt said it was a mud day.”

“He also said he was gonna marry his cereal fifteen minutes ago.”

Cole walks over and plants a kiss on the top of Wyatt’s sticky head. “Sounds like he’s got good taste.”

Then he kisses me—right on the lips, slow and deliberate. Wyatt squeals behind us like we’re the main act at a clown show.

“Eww! Kissin’!” he yells, waving his spoon like a flag.

“Better get used to it, kid,” Cole murmurs, his lips brushing against my cheek. “We’re just gettin’ started.”

I laugh, heart full to bursting. The ranch is quiet today—cattle fed, fences mended, sky wide and blue. There’s laundry on the line and cinnamon rolls cooling on the windowsill. It’s simple. Messy. Perfect.

And for the first time in a long time, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

“Want to take Wyatt down to the barn later?” I ask.

Cole nods. “We’ll brush the horses. Let him ride Hank again. He’s gettin’ the hang of it.”

“Just don’t let him talk you into feedin’ horses cereal.”

Cole grins. “No promises.”

And just like that, we settle into another moment—boots on the floor, baby food on the table, love in the air.

This is our life now. Wild and warm. Untamed, in all the best ways.