And she was right. Judge Martinez sentenced him to ten years in a state prison. Four for stalking and four for aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two years for breaking and entering.
When the judge’s gavel came down with an air of finality, Wilder and I let out synchronized breaths of relief. As Glenn was led away, he turned back once, his eyes finding mine, but I no longer felt any fear.
Wilder’s arm came around me as we walked out into the sunshine. “How do you feel?”
“Free,” I said, meaning it. “Finally free.”
“You did great in there, Talls,” Liam said, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Yeah really great, sis.”
Nash checked his watch. “We should get back, check how Bertie is doing on her first day as foreman.”
Lily clapped her hands excitedly. “Yes, let’s go home and see our little girl boss.”
For the first time in months, I wasn’t looking over my shoulder as we walked away.”
A quick change of clothes once we got back to the ranch and we were all at the kid’s camp. It was a hive of activity; the sound of children’s laughter mixed with horses nickering as around a dozen little people milled around like worker ants. Some were heaving small bales of hay into the small stable of four horses that Gunner had purchased for the camp. Two were brushing the yard, and one brushing down my Dreamy. He was being such a good boy, standing still as a statue while Gunner instructed the little girl on the direction of the brush. Then there standing on an upturned crate, arms crossed, was Bertie looking like a mini Nash in her mini roper boots, jeans, plaid shirt and cowboy hat. She was watching on with her eyes narrowed on the proceedings as dust motes danced in the afternoon sunlight.
“Oh my God, Nash,” Lily said, her voice soft and gentle. “Look at ourlittle girl being all bossy out there.”
Nash’s arm was around his wife’s shoulder as he blew out a breath. “She’s growing up and I fucking hate it.”
“I know baby, I know.”
They both looked like they were about to burst into tears. It was so cute.
“Lucas!” Our heads all snapped in Bertie’s direction as she yelled at her friend who was hauling hay, her voice carrying across the yard with surprising authority for someone so small. “Make sure you brush up that mess. We run a tidy ranch here at Emily’s Promise.”
“Oh shit,” Wilder groaned. “She’s going to be a fucking nightmare.”
“No boy will walk all over her, that’s for sure,” I added.
“Too damn right.” Nash puffed his chest out with pride.
“I should check on Cassidy,” Lily said as she curled into his chest. “See how the classes are going.” It was quite clear, though, that she didn’t want to leave her happy place, in Nash’s arms.
Part of the camp was to give the kid’s lessons on the history of ranching, and eventually in the core school subjects, expanding it to kids who didn’t feel like they fit into the standard schooling system. For now, Cassidy and Lily were going to teach there part-time as well as at the elementary school.
“Anyone think Bertie looks a little like Nash?” Wilder asked. “She’s even got the grumpy growly thing going on.”
Giggling, I looked at his oldest brother who was doing the grumpy growly expression.
“Better than the stupid dickweed thing that you have going on.” He reached his hand out and backhanded Wilder in the stomach. “Prick.”
“Shit head.”
“Look at Lucas,” Lily said, giving Nash a nudge. “She’s got him right under her thumb.”
We moved our gazes back to Bertie who was directing Lucas at the correct way to wheel a barrow.
“Do you think maybe she’s taking it a little seriously?” Lily asked.
“If you’re going to do something then…”
“…do it properly.”
Nash and Wilder chimed in unison making Lily and I laugh.
