“Yeah,” he says, his expression lifting right along with his chin. “Do you think Mom would be happy I’m doin’ it?”
I bark out a laugh. “Happy you’re headin’ out into the Bering Sea on a tiny-ass crab boat? Hell, no. Proud of you for followin’ your dreams? Always. She would just want you to be happy.”
“Are you happy?”
“Hell no. I’m losin' my boy. You're a fine man, Wyatt James Grayson, and an honor to your Ma and me. But that don’t mean I ain’t goin’ to miss you.”
"I didn't mean that. I mean… areyouhappy?”
Thankfully I don’t get long to think about his question because out of the corner of my eye I catch the Graham brothers and Colton–all five of them–standing back and watching the two of us.
Rhett, Austin, Toby, and Landry Graham all own the ranch with me, all of us working together on the rodeo circuit for years before we hung up hats. Then we laid down some much-needed roots at what was once a neglected and misused ranch under the shadow of Bull Mountain and close to our hometown of Spring Haven.
It started with me, Wy, and the four brothers. Then Colt joined the crew and stayed with us.
Somewhere along the way, a prophesy was activated deep within the mountain and the spirit living there began rewarding the protectors of her lands with their soulmates.
Fast forward two years and we’ve now had Colton’s Leah, Rhett’s Cora, Landry’s Starchild, Toby’s Delilah, and Austin’s Charlie all join the family and move onto the ranch.
Seeing everyone meet and fall in love with their soulmates has been great to watch because they all deserve happiness, even if it has served to remind me of the life I once had with Anna.
I’ve always assumed that the prophesy would move onto another mountain or ranch after Austin completed his mountain’s Call with his high school sweetheart and Mags’s daughter, Charlie. So far, I haven’t heard or seen anything to make me think any different.
Looking back to Wy, I jerk my head toward our not-so-secret audience. “You think they’re here formeor you?"
Wyatt chuckles. “Probably you. I found out at the swimmin’ hole and told them. They said they’d help if need be.”
“Hmm.” I rub my hand over my beard before dropping my voice to a low whisper. “You want to mess with them a bit?”
Wyatt’s green eyes dance with amusement. “Sure. How are you at fake cryin’?”
I shrug. “Never done it, but I’m willin’ to give it a go.”
His answering smile–thankfully hidden from the guys–is just what I needed to see.
I know he’s going to be OK, which gives me hope that as hard as I know it’ll be saying goodbye to him in a few weeks, I’ll eventually be OK too…. maybe.
3
MAGS
A text message from Rhett warns me that everyone from Bull Mountain Ranch is coming my way for dinner. They have a standing reservation on Friday nights, but since it's Saturday, I wasn't expecting all of them.
Thankfully, it has been quiet so far and I got a big delivery today, so I'm fully stocked and ready to feed the masses–so to speak.
It does have me wondering if it's a celebration of sorts though. Maybe a pregnancy? Is a wedding date being set? Although Charlie would’ve told me if there was anybignews.
I’m still pondering all the possibilities when I see two of the ranch trucks with the bull’s head logo on their doors arrive outside. Five minutes later, the men and women who call Bull Mountain home stream through the diner’s door.
“Mags! Give us six of your best beers!” Toby says, his arm draped around his fiancée Dee’s shoulders.
“Seven,” Wy replies with a cheeky grin, earning an arched brow from me.
I turn to meet Red's crinkled gaze before switching back to Wyatt. "Boy, I love you like you were my own, but I ain’t goin’ to risk bein’ shut down. Even for you.”
Wy shrugs. "Worth a shot," he replies with a shit-eating smile that will get him many a willing girl in the future. He's a good-looking kid who’s sure to break a few hearts before he finds his One.
Red chuckles. “Six beers and arootbeer for Wy. What about the women?” He looks at the rest of the group as they pass him on their way to the ‘Ranch’ booth they claimed years ago.
