She’s my One, my soulmate. The woman has changed the trajectory of my life not once, but twice. There’s no question. As much as I love living on the mountain with my family, Blair is my future. I can’t andwon’tlive without her again.
All I can hope is that our visit to Starchild will help give her the guidance she needs.
We leave Cooper Ranch before the sunlight has even crept over the mountain, setting out for Spring Haven bright and early so that we can have the maximum amount of time there.
It’s not just us though, Wyatt is tagging along so he can catch up with his family while we’re there.
Wyatt and I take turns driving and just before noon, we drive through the gates of Bull Mountain Ranch and Stud.
Blair leans forward in her seat, peering up through the windshield to look at the majestic twin peaks from which the property gets its name.
“Wow, Wy. This place is beautiful,” she says, her voice filled with awe.
“It’s pretty special. I know Cooper Ranch is my home now, but this place is…” He doesn’t need to say anything else because just like Timber Falls is where my family belongs, Spring Haven means the same to him.
At the end of the long driveway is the main ranch house. The bright white two-story building with bright flower gardens framing the front porch glistens in the sunlight as we come to a stop next to two other trucks just as dirty and well-used as mine.
“This reminds me of home,” Blair says with a smile. “Though our land is flat, you can still see the Rocky Mountains in the distance.” She shoots me a wry grin. “Should’ve known I’d find the love of my life on a mountain.”
I lift her hand and brush my lips against her knuckles, now loving the tingles against my skin whenever I touch her. “I found mine across a Boston quad, I justclaimedher on the mountain.”
Wyatt makes a pretend gagging sound. “If you two start makin’ out, I’m out of here,” he says, making us laugh.
Wyatt goes on ahead of us and with my hand in hers, I lead Blair toward the house just as the front door opens and Wyatt’s dad Red and his wife Mags appear to greet us.
“Have you grown taller, kid?” Red says, stepping forward and pulling his son in for a big bear hug. “God, it’s good to see you.”
He lets his son go, letting Mags take his place. “Missed you, Wy.”
“Missed you too.”
Mags lets him go, her eyes falling on the two of us standing behind them. “Sutt, nice to see you again. And who’s your One,” she says, her eyes dancing.
“Blair Littlefoot. It’s nice to meet you. Wy’s been sharing stories about the Ranch on the drive.”
Mags side eyes her stepson. “Oh, hehas, has he? I hope they were all good.”
Blair laughs. “Yes. Though I do recall him describing you as someone who puts the S in sassy.”
“Wyatt Grayson, you didnot!” she says with a laugh. “I swear, kid. You’re goin’ to be the death of me one day.”
“Not for a damn long time,” Red rumbles, claiming his wife and pulling her into his side again. “Everyone is scattered at the moment. Rhett and Cora wanted to be here, but they’re stuck next door at Sunshine Farm dealin’ with aduckdisaster.”
“Another one?” Wyatt asks, brows arched high.
“You think that bird is ever goin’ to stop causin’ havoc? This time he decided to lead some of the puppies astray and now Rhett’s havin’ to go catch them all.”
“Duck?” Blair says. “As in the duck from the books?”
Mags nods. “One and the same. Just be thankful he’s not over here plannin’ his next dastardly deed. He’s got a whole gang of misfits now includin’ his own lady duck and their offspring.”
“Let’s not talk about him. It might conjure him up or somethin’,” Red says with a shudder. “Anyway, as for everyone else. Landry is with Toby and Dee fixin’ some leaky troughs, and Lee and Colt are checkin’ the breedin’ herd for pregnancies since one of our prized bulls got loose and decided to have a bit too much fun.”
“Oh my,” Blair says with a giggle.
Red’s eyes crinkle at the sides. “My thoughts exactly. Luckily, he only got in with the girls he was supposed to be with, so itmay be unplanned, but not much harm will be done. Worse case, we’ll have a higher feed bill over the winter.”
“What about Star?”
