And she loved coffee.
Her mornings always started with choosing from a half-dozen blends and an expensive machine, paired with the ritual of picking a mug to match her mood. Her brothers sometimes beat her to making coffee or took the best mugs for themselves even though they teased her about having a hoarder problem.
But they didn’t understand—those small routines kept her grounded when the rest of her day spun out in ten directions at once.
Now, resting her cheek against Sundancer’s warm hide, Willow let herself draw in one deep, steadying breath. She needed the calm, because her to-do list stretched from sunup to well past dark.
The ranch came first—horses to care for or at least coordinate care with the veterans who pitched in. Then there were the livestock orders and supply runs.
She might not be a bodyguard like her brothers at Black Heart Security, but she still managed the calendar, handled paperwork and occasionally answered the office phone when things got hectic.
The therapy program for vets was the part of her day that mattered most. Sometimes she was hands-on with horse therapy, other times sharing a meal or joining an art session so no one felt left out.
And on top of it all, family. Her brothers, her sisters-in-law, her sweet little niece Navy. With Carson and Layne expecting, the clan was only growing.
That thought reminded her—she still hadn’t ordered decorations for the baby shower.
Sundancer shifted as Willow lifted her head. Footsteps echoed in the aisle, and her mare’s ears flicked toward the sound. Willow smoothed a hand over her horse’s side before stepping out to meet Zayne with a smile.
“Morning, Zayne. You’re right on time for our session.”
He tipped the brim of a brand-new cowboy hat, the crisp felt giving away that he wasn’t a ranch boy. Still, he wore it well enough.
“Miss Willow.” He reached for Sundancer’s lead, and together they walked out into the gray dawn.
By the time Zayne’s session wrapped up, the sun had burned through the mountain mist, though Willow’s head still throbbed—either from margaritas or the snow rolling in.
After turning Sundancer out to graze, she waved Zayne off with a grin. “Save me some blueberry cobbler at lunch.”
Inside the house, the kitchen buzzed with its own kind of morning routine. Gray crunched toast while Denver tried to juggle Navy on his hip—though she was more interested in stealing her uncle’s breakfast.
“Oh, look at you!” Willow swooped in, delighted by Navy’s gap-toothed smile and jam-smeared cheeks.
“She’s wearing more than she’s eaten,” Denver said with a laugh.
Willow reached for her niece, ignoring sticky fingers and gooey toast. “Come to Auntie Willow. We’ll get you a proper breakfast—and clean you up.” She shot Denver a look. “You’ve got a ten o’clock meeting, remember?”
“I remember,” he muttered. “I was just trying to convince Gray to watch her.”
“Can’t. I’m flying out tonight for Memphis.” Gray wiped his hands.
“You mean flying the jet,” Willow teased, knowing Gray missed being in the cockpit after retiring from the military.
Denver sighed, kissing Navy’s curls. “Maybe Layne can take her. Rhae’s booked solid and Navy’s too fussy today to sit in on the therapy sessions.”
Willow was already studying her niece’s flushed face. “She looks a little glassy-eyed. She might be coming down with a cold. I’ll walk her down by the horses—the fresh air will do her good.”
Bundling Navy for the cold was both a task and a joy. The little girl toddled around the yard, babbling at the horses and picking up fallen apples before finally tiring out. By the time Willow carried her back inside, Navy was asleep, heavy and warm in her arms.
Honor appeared with floral catalogues in hand. “Perfect timing. I need your opinion on wedding flowers.”
Willow tucked Navy onto the sofa, propped pillows around her to keep her safe and turned to her sister-in-law with a smile. “Of course.”
She might’ve needed a bathroom break and had baby shower decorations still unchecked on her list, but Honor’s hopeful face made it impossible to say no.
By the time they’d finished comparing blooms, Navy was awake, Denver had wrapped up his meeting, and the kitchen was once again overrun by hungry brothers.
Willow slipped away to her little office to finally order those shower decorations. She’d just hit submit when a knock sounded on the doorframe.
