I glance at Callie standing a few feet away with her back pressed against the kitchen wall like she’s trying to disappear into the shiplap. She chews on her bottom lip as she watches the interaction, something almost sullen passing over her features.
Olivia waves across the kitchen. “Hey, Callie. Welcome to the chaos. You’ll get used to it, I swear.”
“It’s not so bad,” she says, shrugging one shoulder.
I lean in conspiratorially, closing the meager distance between us. I catch a whiff of her sweet scent and have to stifle a groan. The way she affects me is illogical. “I’ll cover for you if you want to fake an illness or something.”
She eyes me curiously. “What?”
“Just thought you might want an escape plan.”
“What are we, five?”
I shrug. “Suit yourself.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Mama says. “Callie, would you mind helping Jaxon set the table?”
I narrow my gaze at my mother. She gives me her most innocent smile and motions toward the stack of plates and silverware in the center of the island.
Callie follows me to the dining room and sets the dishes in the center of the table. As she turns, her foot snags on the upturned corner of the area rug. I drop the silverware to the table with a loud clang just in time to catch her in my arms.Her palms land flat against my chest, and her wide eyes meet mine.
Time slows to a crawl as I lose myself in those blue-green depths. Her gaze flicks to my lips, and she leans in the barest amount. One kiss. That’s all it would take to lose whatever’s left of my sanity.
I’m seconds away from giving in when she pushes me away.
A small smile breaks across her face as I help her regain her footing.
“Maybe youwouldbe better on horseback,” I say teasingly.
She grimaces, running her hands over her skirt. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.”
I want to pull her back to me and savor the feel of her in my arms a while longer, but the moment has passed. Soon, my family is gathered around the long table, passing around platters of food to fill our plates. Callie sits quietly to my right, playing the perfect passive bystander. I hope, in time, she’ll feel more comfortable here.
“You decide what you wanna do about the old distillery?” Wilder asks.
I lean my forearm on the table. “Hayes Brothers Bourbon has a nice ring to it.”
Griffin eyes me curiously. “You learn how to make bourbon when we weren’t looking?”
“I’m working on it,” I say. “It’s just a pet project for now. Might not come to anything, but I don’t wanna jump the gun and tear it all down if I can make something of it.”
“No offense, brother,” Wilder starts. “But where the hell did all this come from? Two months ago, we couldn’t get you to show up to family dinner. Now you’re out here planning a distillery.”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Griffin says, gesturing across the table atCallie. “He’s got a girl he wants to impress and the Pythagorean theorem ain’t gonna cut it.”
“Not once in all my years of running this ranch have I ever needed to calculate the dimensions of a triangle,” I deadpan.
Olivia pre-emptively covers Emmy’s ears.
“How about you calculate the dimensions of this dick?” Griffin replies.
I smirk. “If we’re having a dick measuring contest, you’ll lose.”
“It’s like I’m surrounded by children.” Wilder spears his fork into his lasagna. “Actually, I take that back. Emmy and Gracie are more civilized than you two idiots.”
“You’re getting boring in your old age,” Griffin says.
