“Sounds like she’s taking it easy on you, son,” Jack chimes in, and I swear I see a smile behind that graying mustache.
“I told him it could be worse. He didn’t believe me,” Ava jokes.
I can’t help but laugh at the interaction. Ava wasn’t here last time I was, and I haven’t got to spend a whole lot of time with her, but I am quickly regretting that. She’s hilarious, and I love her. She’s the perfect match for Mav. Everything I loved about this family is exactly the same except for it’s growing. I take a minute to soak in the feeling of gratitude. How lucky am I to get to be a part of something like this?
It doesn’t take long for Mable to finish up dinner and for us all to head to the table. Weston pulls out the chair beside him, and I scoot in.
“So, how’s work on the cabins going?” Mav asks.
Weston looks to me and lets me answer, “I feel like it’s going really well. The construction crews are moving really quickly.” I have to admit the construction crew Weston found was even better than the one I found. They work faster, and their boss isn’t a raging asshole.
“You know what I was thinking, we really might look into hiring someone full-time for property management, not just for the cabins, but maybe to run our books with us expanding and growing, and everyone’s lives getting busier, it might be a good idea,” Rhett says. He’s always the logical one. That has been my concern this whole time, too.
“Do you know who that would be perfect for that job for?” Aspen asks, looking directly at me.
Everyone at the table says my name unanimously.
“Oh, that would be a wonderful idea,” Mabel says with way too much excitement in her eyes.
Aspen starts to laugh, and Weston is immediately suspicious. “What’re you laughing at?”
She takes a sip of her wine before selling herself out. “Just watching my plan perfectly into place. It’s such a beautiful thing to see.” She pinches her face in a smile and brings her shoulders up.
“What do you mean?” Mabel asks cautiously.
Aspen quirks up one brow, still holding her wine glass. “You don’t seriously think I found some random ass company in New York to do this job, do you?”
“Well, I thought it was a little weird, but I know better than to criticize your choices,” Weston says.
“I knew where she worked, so I reached out to her company and hired her, knowing that if I got you two together, there’s no way in hell you’d be able to stay apart.”
“Aspen Marie Taylor!“ Mabel says.
“There is no way in hell I’m about to apologize when it worked out this well. Weston's finally happy, Willow’s finally home, and the ranch is running smoothly from the way I’m looking at it. You all owe me a thank you,” she says, taking a sip of her drink.
Okay, so maybe this family is a little bit dysfunctional, but I like it. All my fears about things being different are gone. She wanted me back so bad. She was willing to manipulate not only me and her brother, but my career so I could be here. Sure, I could be mad, but I’m not. A family that wants me that badly can have me.
Chapter 33
Weston
Willow’s hand holds her head up as she talks on the phone. Without even seeing her face, I can tell she’s had a long day. She then slumps back in the chair, miming stabbing herself with the pen at the desk. My chest shakes with laughter at the motion. She hasn’t even seen me yet, but I can tell I need to get my girl some fresh air.
“Rough day, Sunshine?” I inquire.
Her look says it all, but mostly,no shit, Sherlock. “Well, the floor we had picked out is no longer in stock, so we’re gonna have to figure something else out, and the windows are two weeks delayed. I really need something to go right today. Or ever for that matter.”
I walk up behind her and lean down and wrap my arms around her chest, pulling her closer to me as I kiss her forehead from behind. “How about you and me get out of here for a little bit?”
“As amazing as that sounds, I have so much to do, West.” Even though her words are saying she needs to work, she grips onto my forearms, leaning her head into the crack of my elbow.
“And you know what? All that work will be here when we get back. You work all the time, nonstop. I love your dedication, but let’s go outside.”
“Are you trying to gently tell me I need to go outside and touch some grass?” Her tone is filled with faux attitude.
That wasn’t really where I was going with that, but she probably could’ve benefited. “I’m saying you need some sunshine and I miss my girl. So, let’s get away for a while.” I let her go and spin her chair around so she’s looking at me. I put my arms on each side of the office chair, leaning down while getting face-to-face. I lightly press my lips to hers. “Please.”
She lets out a groan as she throws her head back. “You know I can’t resist you when you ask like that.”
