“Look at all these people! They’re building us a new barn!” Huck’s words tumbled over each other in his rush to share the morning’s wonders.
“I see that.” Sierra ruffled his hair, her throat tight with emotion. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?”
“The best. And Dad says maybe we can build a bigger stall for Jasper, and maybe get another horse, and maybe?—”
“Maybe you should let your mom have some coffee before planning the entire ranch expansion,” Rowan’s voice interrupted, warm with amusement.
Sierra looked up to find him approaching, sawdust in his hair and a satisfied smile on his face. He looked completely at home directing the organized chaos, every inch the natural leader who could coordinate complex operations and make them look effortless.
Of course he was. He was still Hammer, former Delta Force operator, somewhere under all that cowboy.
“Morning, beautiful.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, the casual intimacy of the gesture turning her warm to her bones.
“You did all this?” Sierra gestured toward the bustling activity.
“We did this.” Rowan’s hand found the small of her back, steering her toward the porch railing, where they could survey the work. “Amazing what people will do when they’re grateful.”
“But how?—”
“Actually, I started it a few days ago. The blueprints are from that barn at the Collins place—and I got Bobby St. Claire to clear the permitting, and Raol Martinez hooked me up with the lumber. Saxon talked Dolly into the food, and Bailey showed up to help. Apparently she, um, knew some secrets?” He raised an eyebrow.
Oops.
He grinned. “Turns out Mike Martinelli knows every contractor in three counties, and Bailey has the phone numbers of every ranch family between here and Denver.” Rowan’s eyes crinkled with satisfaction. “Plus, Saxon has surprising logistic skills for a private investigator.”
“I heard that,” Saxon called from across the yard. “And I’m going to need more coffee if we’re going to keep this pace up.”
“There’s a whole pot in the kitchen,” Sierra called back.
“Already tried it. It’s not strong enough. I need the industrial-grade stuff Dolly makes.”
She laughed, then turned to him. “How are we affording this? I haven’t gotten my insurance check yet.”
“Babe. Have you not heard? I’m rich.” He grinned.
Then, Rowan perched a hand over her head. “I figure we needed to get started on that barn if we are going to make any more of those.”
His gaze shifted meaningfully toward Huck, who was demonstrating Bandit’s trick to a group of appreciative teenagers.
Sierra’s pulse quickened at the implication. “More of…?”
“Children. Lots of them. Running around this ranch, learning to ride and rope and carry on the family traditions.” Rowan’s voice dropped to a whisper. “What do you think?”
“I think there are better places than the barn for making children.”
“Me too.” His mouth moved closer to hers, close enough that she could feel his breath against her lips. “You still haven’t said yes.”
Oh. She put a hand on his chest. “Yes, Rowan Sean Wallace. I’ll marry you.”
“Attagirl,” he growled and leaned in.
“I still need coffee!” Saxon’s voice cut through the moment. “Real coffee! The kind that can wake the dead!”
“And I’m going to need you to back off,” Rowan called without taking his eyes off Sierra.
But Sierra was laughing, the sound bright and free as it carried across the yard. She put her hand on Rowan’s amazing, perfect chest and pushed him away.
“I’ll make a fresh pot,” Sierra called to Saxon. “Dolly style.”
