“I can’t argue with any of it. She’d be treated like a queen.”
“And you’ll be treated like a prince. Angie wanted to offer you a fulltime job if you’d consider moving. I asked her to hold off.”
“Why?”
“I was afraid it would stress you out. You’d want to take it but couldn’t because of your granny.”
“That was kind of you.”
“But you’ve ended up stressed out, anyway.”
“How about this? I settle Granny in at Rowdy Ranch where she has folks around her and her other grandson. Then I come live with you in New Jersey.”
She groaned. “Don’t do this to me!”
“Do what?”
“Keep tempting me with scenarios that would almost work.”
“What’s wrong with this one? Granny’s happy and we’re both happy.”
“Granny’s used to seeing you all the time. She won’t be happy if she only has you a week or two during the year.”
“But she’d have Lucky and everyone else.”
“She wouldn’t have you. You’re irreplaceable. And you wouldn’t have her. Don’t tell me that wouldn’t be tough on you because I know better.”
“What will be tough on me is not having you.”
“Look, if you’re living here, I’ll figure out a way to visit more often. I’ll find you cheap fares to come and see me. This ranch is where you both belong.”
She was right that Granny would be happy here. He’d tried to tell himself she’d be fine in Trenton but she wouldn’t.
Sara was also right about him. He’d always preferred small towns to big cities and he loved Rowdy Ranch. But how much of that was the ranch and how much was Sara? He dreaded finding out the answer.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Getting Kieran on a horse for the first time was exactly the kind of activity the situation called for. Sara’s heart was slowly cracking down the middle, but introducing him to an activity he’d cherish for the rest of his life was good juju and they could both use some of that.
Even better, Lani and Rance were riding in as she and Kieran walked toward the barn. She’d call it serendipity, but Kieran might not be ready to share the news with them.
She gave them a wave as they headed to the hitching post in front of the barn. “Do you want to say something or keep it to ourselves?”
“Might as well tell ’em, since I texted it to Lucky and Desiree.”
“But did you give them permission to tell others?”
“Didn’t think to. Just said we were going to the barn and I’d fill them in on the details next time we saw each other.”
“Then Andy and Oksana will get the story, but it’ll stop there until you give the okay. I’ve been around this crowd long enough to know that.”
“Lani and Rance have stuck by us. They deserve to hear it before the others.”
“I think so, too. Hey, guys!” she called out as they approached the hitching post.
They each looked up and responded withheybut they weren’t talking to each other. Instead they concentrated on the task, flipping the stirrups up on the saddles and loosening the girths.
Lani had ridden Buttermilk, Angie’s horse. Angie was happy to loan her out, but Lani wasn’t happy right now and neither was Rance.
