Of course that was what Caleb thought about. It was nice to see him motivated about something else other than his strange need to create the best formula for horse and cattle feed. Noah took another sip, smiling so he didn’t look completely bored by this conversation. His brothers were a little too over the moon for what was happening. If Noah didn’t match them to a degree, they might think something was wrong with him.
He took another sip then asked, “So they help out veterans? That’s their charity?”
Mack nodded. “We don’t know the full gist of it, but it’s definitely legit. They house, feed, or clothe anyone who might need it.”
“Sounds honorable,” Noah nodded. “Do you think Gramps would be interested in volunteering?” He shot this question to his mother.
She tilted her head, considering. “He might be. I’ll make sure to ask him.”
He tossed back the rest of his drink then raised his mug. “Well, I better get to work. I’m sure Bo will have me doing all sorts of stuff so he can busy himself planning this thing.” Noah placed his mug in the sink, and the minute his back was turned to his brothers, he grinned.
There was nothing quite like seeing the happy faces of his family. They meant the world to him, and if something like this was enough to bring about wide smiles, he’d take it.
Noah made it to the barn. Surprisingly, it was business as usual. There were the occasional comments about what the gala would mean for the ranch, but for the most part, the men went about their work. Not even Bo went out of his way to talk to Noah or any of their cousins about the charity.
It didn’t matter. The gala wouldn’t be for another month. There was a lot to do in preparation for it—namely invitations, decorations, catering—and the list went on. The local chapter of his charity would be responsible for organizing most of that. And the corporate goons would focus on getting important people to attend.
Noah was sent out on his horse with a couple other wranglers to track down some cattle that had gotten loose. That meant there was a hole in a fence somewhere, and they’d also have to find and repair it.
“You hear about the gala?” Leo asked.
Noah glanced to his cousin. “A little bit. What’s your take on it?”
Leo shrugged. “Could be good for us, I guess.”
“You guess?” Noah smirked.
“I dunno. I hear that sometimes things like this can hurt the business hosting financially. The clean-up and other nonsense. I just hope Bo knows what he’s doing.”
Noah nodded thoughtfully. He’d have to make sure the folks at the local organization was involved with that part of things. There was no way he’d let his charity leave a bad mark on anyone—least of all those he cared about. Changing the subject to something he was more comfortable discussing, he cocked his head and grinned knowingly at his cousin. “I saw you were dancing with your share of people at Mack’s wedding—most of which were locals. You got your eye on anyone?”
Leo made a face. “The whole reason I was dancing withmultiplewomen is because I have zero interest in settling down. I’m still young. No sense in getting tied together with someone yet.” Hewas the same age as Noah, and yet his view of things was so vastly different.
Deep in his heart, Noah knew he was ready for something more. But not with just anyone. He wanted one person specifically. He’d known he’d wanted her since they were children. The problem was she couldn’t even see him.
“What about you?”
“Whataboutme?” Noah murmured.
“You looking to settle down? Or are you going to remain the bachelor? Your brothers have practically moved on. And they both have kids already.”
Noah snorted. “Mack’s kid is only because Lacey brought one into the family dynamic.”
“Doesn’t change the facts. Mack is a father. And you… alone.”
Leo probably didn’t mean to make it sound so terrible, but the words sliced through Noah with more pain than he’d been expecting. His cousin didn’t know just how right he was. For all intents and purposes, Noah was alone.
He was alone in his secrets—the information he could never give anyone else. Only a few people knew the real him. Those on his board, his lawyer, and his accountant.
That was it.
And they certainly weren’t family.
“I’m sorry, man. I didn’t mean to?—”
Noah’s head snapped around to stare at his cousin, realizing he must have been wearing that pain on his face for the whole worldto see. He waved Leo off with a flip of his wrist. “It’s fine. I’m just not feeling myself lately.” It was a similar excuse to the one he’d given his mother, but it worked just as well.
Maybe he was going at this all wrong.
