Lou’s expression softened as she looked down at her daughter, then back at me with something that might have been the beginning of genuine warmth.
“When you put it like that,” Lou said quietly, “how can I say no?”
Setting up access for both Lou and Nolan took the better part of two hours, walking them through Sherlock’s investigative capabilities and optimization tools, creating secure login credentials, and explaining the basic interface navigation. Lou caught on quickly, her questions becoming more sophisticated as she grasped the scope of what the AIs could accomplish. Nolan seemed almost giddy with the possibilities, already planning how to digitize the lineage records and cross-reference bloodline data.
Penny had finished her picture and shyly approached my chair as I completed the final setup steps. “Thank you for helping Mommy with the computer,” she said seriously, pushing her unicorn masterpiece toward me before wrapping her small arms around me in a quick, fierce hug and darting back to gather her coloring supplies.
“Thank you,” Lou said as I closed my laptop, the warmth in her voice unmistakable now. “This is going to change everything.”
“Genuinely my pleasure,” I nodded. “I’m just happy I could help.”
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the property while Maggie trotted between Nolan and me as we walked back toward the main house so I could retrieve my things from the office.
“I don’t know how to thank you properly for what you just did,” Nolan smiled wistfully. “Lou’s been struggling with those scheduling challenges for months, and you solved it in twenty minutes.”
“It felt good to help,” I admitted, realizing how true it was. “Your whole family has been so welcoming, making room for Finn and me, letting me crash in your office, making space for my work needs. This was the least I could do.”
“Speaking of my prodigal son,” he smiled we approached the house, “you and Finn joining us for dinner tonight? Bridget’s making pot roast, and I’m sureMóraíwould love to get to know you more. She’s got a soft spot for self-made women and probably wants to know about your intentions towards her favorite grandchild.”
I laughed, feeling better than I had in weeks, maybe months. “I’ll check, but I’m sure we’d love to.”
“Don’t worry, she likes you already,” Nolan winked. “Anyone who can make Finn smile the way he has been these past few days gets automatic approval.”
As if summoned by his name, Finn appeared around the corner of the main house, dusty from whatever work had occupied his day. His face lit up when he saw us, but his eyes immediately found mine with an intensity that made my stomach flutter.
“Perfect timing,” Nolan called out as he approached. “You need to hear what Alex just did for us.”
Finn’s attention shifted between us, taking in Nolan’s barely contained excitement and what was probably my slightly smug expression.
“Should I be worried?” He lifted an eyebrow, his hand finding the small of my back. Warm, possessive, grounding. I leaned into him.
“Your girlfriend just revolutionized our entire operation,” Nolan announced with obvious pride. “Set up AI systems for both horse breeding records and guest services, helped Lou solve scheduling problems that have been driving her crazy for months, and oh, probably saved us from doing business with some questionable competitors.”
“Sherlock?” His lips hitched to the side, eyes sparkling. I felt his fingers spread wider against my back.
“Sherlock,” I confirmed, grinning.
“All in one afternoon?” The pride in his voice was unmistakable, and when I nodded, his free hand came up to cup my face briefly.
“I might have gotten a little carried away,” I lifted a shoulder, but Finn was already moving closer.
“That’s my girl. Using her beautiful brain to make the world better,” he murmured before leaning down to move his lips across mine. The kiss was longer than appropriate for present company and heated enough that I felt my cheeks warm.
When we broke apart, Nolan was grinning at both of us. “And that’s why Móraí already approves.”
Chapter 34
The magic word isn’t “please”
Finn
Dad’s grin lingered as he headed back toward thehouse, leaving me alone with the woman who’d spent her afternoon revolutionizing my family’s operation like it was nothing.
“So,” I tugged her closer, breathing in the familiar green tea and mint of her shampoo as I dropped a kiss on the top of her head, “you gave them Sherlock, huh?”
“It felt good to help,” she said simply. “Lou’s been a little guarded, but showing her how Sherlock could make her life easier.”
“You changed everything,” I let my hands roam over her back, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her top. “Dad’s gonna be talking about this for weeks. You just gave them tools that’ll transform how this whole place works.” I pulled back to look at her face, then leaned down to kiss her thoroughly. “Every day there’s something you do that makes me…”
