I blow out a breath and shake my head. “I haven’t officially told anyone this, but I’m retired. This is my job now.”
Dusty just stares at me. “Don’t do that. Don’t give up something that great for this ranch.”
“I’m ready to retire, and I happen tolikethis place, you know. I knew I’d end up back here someday. Dad left everything to Gideon and me, split in half. I’ll be the one living here, taking care of things, and Gid’s a silent partner.”
When we learned how much money Dad had in the bank, we were shocked that he didn’t just hire more people to take care of things when he couldn’t, rather than let it all go to shit.
The man was rich several times over.
“I guess I could come out of retirement for you,” Dusty says slowly.
“We rehabbed the bunkhouse. It’s pretty much new inside, so you’ll be comfortable,” Gideon tells him. “It’s finished already.”
He nods. “Thank you.”
“When can you start?” I ask him.
“I’m here now,” he replies. “I’ll drive out to the bunkhouse, look around, and then stop in at the barn before I head into town to pack up my rental there.”
Relief washes over me.Thank Christ.I don’t know what I would do without Dusty.
“Thank you. But before you go pack up and move in, how do you feel about going out on horseback with us to make some plans before Gid has to head back to work this afternoon?”
He nods. “Sure. Whatever the boss men want. Let’s get out there and figure it out.”
We both stand, and the older man tugs me in for a hug, slapping me hard on the back.
“He loved you boys. He’d be damn proud of you.”
He hugs Gideon too.
With a nod, we follow him out to the barn to saddle up and get to work.
Three hours later, with my head spinning with ideas, Gideon and I return to the house, and I’m pleased to see that the kitchen is painted and the work crew is gone. The furniture should arrive this afternoon.
“I’m taking an hour to work out in your fancy new gym before I have to go to the airport.” Gideon claps me on the back.
“Technically, it’sourfancy new gym.”
“No, this isyourhome. I’ll just use it when I visit.”
“I’ll be in my office for a while.”
“Making me money?” he asks. “You’ve always been such a numbers nerd.”
“This nerd has made you a shit ton of money, asshole.”
I grin at him, and then I make my way back to my office. I’ll work for a while, and then I’ll get in a workout of my own.
Yeah, I like numbers. Watching the market, shifting investments, is my hobby. Hockey was my job.
I did it backward, and I don’t regret even one minute of it.
I commandeered one of the rooms toward the back of the house, where I have a great view of the mountains, and set up shop in there with a new desk, a few chairs and bookshelves. It works great for what I need, and I dive in for an hour of numbers crunching.
I’m just about to turn off the computer and go to the gym myself when my phone rings.
At the sight of Willow’s name, my stomach flips, and I have to tell my dick to calm the fuck down.
