I smooshed the puppy’s soft little face and scratched his ears. “You need a nap.”
Teller’s shadow fell over me as he cheered on Jonah’s catch. He reeled in one of the rainbow trout this lake was stocked with, his smile wide and a jubilant cry leaving his mouth.
“Nice catch.” Chance was right next to Jonah, ready to help. And Jonah let him. Chance made sure Jonah got a picture with the fish.
Teller turned to me, his gaze falling to the puppy in my arms who refused to miss any fun before he blinked too long and fell fast asleep. “I still say Stormy’s a stripper’s name.”
I rolled my eyes. “Then the dog and the stripper should be honored.” The name was more than athought. Jonah and I had been brought together by winter storms, and we wanted to honor our history. Stormy was a part of our future.
So was this. Being on the lake with family. I’d even heard Tate telling Jonah and Teller about a spot he’d found for fly-fishing that was fairly flat with minimal rocks. The interest on Jonah’s face had told me that there’d be a guys’ fly-fishing trip soon. Good.
Autumn crossed her legs next to me. She’d already caught her limit of fish, always the lucky duck at hunting and fishing, as my brothers would say. “We’re going to be able to feed everyone tonight.”
After our barn reconnection, the first place we’d stopped—well, other than at Curly’s to eat, since our appetites had roared back after our barn sexfest—was at Mama’s. She’d been worried about me and now she was ecstatic. Thrilled in a way she’d never been when I’d told her about Boyd’s quick proposal, or with any other guy I’d told her about. Tenor, Lane, and Cruz were getting the yard ready for the ceremony in two weeks, and Mama already had the house spotless.
Autumn propped her elbows behind her and tilted her face to the sun. “Are you getting excited?”
I didn’t have to ask what she was talking about: the small, casual summer wedding on my family’s land that I had always wanted.
I had a simple white dress that swirled around my legs and fell off my shoulders. A summer dress. My dream dress. My sisters and Scarlett had bought their soft pink dresses—any style they wanted. They could also do their hair how they wanted. My brothers and Adam would stand up with Jonah.
He already had his black jeans and white dress shirt.We’d both wear cowboy boots and we’d say our vows under the setting sun. Then we’d celebrate with our family into the wee hours of the night. Copper Summit bourbon would be served, but everyone was staying over. None of us were having as much as one sip and driving. Jonah hadn’t asked, and neither had I, but Tate had spread the word. Everyone accepted the plan.
A wedding that would turn into a giant sleepover—except for the bride and groom. We had plans to be loud, so we’d drink water and punch and return home to our bed. If we made it that far for the first time together as husband and wife. “I’m so damn excited, Autumn.”
She shoulder-bumped me. “Good. You’re for-real happy this time.”
“Next year, I will legit look forward to Valentine’s Day.”
“I have a feeling your gift will be wood of some sort.”
This time I shouldered her and snickered. “I like his wood gifts.”
The guys looked toward us. Jonah was readying his line to cast again, but I only grinned. He gave me a hot look that said he hadn’t heard what we were giggling about and he didn’t care. He liked seeing and hearing me laugh almost as much as when I came.
“God, what I wouldn’t give for a guy to give me that look,” Autumn said wistfully.
I gave her an understanding pat. “I’m glad you’re not settling for less. Trust me. It’s not worth it.”
She shrugged. “There is that. Hey, did I tell you what some of us teachers are doing?” When I shook my head, she twisted in her seat to face me. “We’re going on a trip to Vegas. A girls’ weekend.”
“Fun! When?”
“We have a long weekend in October. Scarlett’s not coming. She and Tate are taking the kids to Disneyland. But there’ll be four of us.”
“Promise me you’re not going to Gideon James’s hotel and casino.” The land sale wasn’t yet final and Gideon was fighting my brothers and interfering with his dad. What should’ve been a one-and-done deal was stretching out and growing more contentious.
“I’m not sure where we’re going yet.” She sat forward and picked at the hem of her shorts. “I doubt he’d want a Bailey in his hotel, and I’m close enough.” She wrinkled her nose. “He might think I actually have power in the company.”
This wasn’t the first time she’d been cryptic about the importance of her role with Copper Summit. “Autumn, have you talked to the guys?”
“The guys,” she echoed, and yes, that was part of the conflict. I thought my sisters had accepted that the guys would have more of a role in the distillery and the ranch than us. Mama and Daddy had never treated us like we were lesser Baileys, but we’d naturally stood back and let the brothers take charge.
“They’ll listen.” They might actually appreciate the help, but one didn’t look at Autumn with her arts-and-craft-filled house and think she wanted a manager role.
“I know. I love my job, but I guess it’s just the principle. I’m salty about it, that’s all.”
“That’s not all.”
