“We’re fine, I’m flying to see her at the end of the month.”
“You’re unhappy, Son,” his dad said.“Everyone can see that.”
“We have a proposition for you,” Jade said.“One that should hopefully be a solution to your problem.”
Wilder cleared his throat.“We’ve been looking to expand for a while now…”
“Oh, Wilder, you’re taking too long,” Jade interrupted with a laugh.“Wilder and I want to buy shares in our family ranch and manage it together with Wilder’s ranch.That means you can go back to Montana to be with Willow.You can still be involved here; fortunately, technology makes that it possible to talk every day.Mom and Dad will stay in this house, we’ll build something else for us, and seeing that you already have plans for the house you want to build, you can go ahead and start with that.We’ll be here to oversee the process.”
Stunned, Hunter stared at his sister and her fiancé.“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“That is, of course,” Wilder said with a look in Jade’s direction.“If that’s what you also want.I don’t want you to think I’m taking over.With Jade’s help and your input we can manage both ranches.That way, this ranch stays in your family.”
“You are miserable without Willow,” his mom said.“I’ve never seen you look at any woman the way you look at her.Go make a life with her in Montana.That is where you heart is.We’re not going anywhere.”
“She doesn’t want to get married,” Hunter said.
“She’s wearing your ring, maybe she’s not so averse to the idea anymore.”Jade said.“But even if she doesn’t want to get married, you can still be together.”
“Hunter?”Wilder asked.“Is going back to Montana something you want?”
Still stunned, Hunter nodded.“I want to be with Willow and that’s where she is.Your proposal is so surreal.You see, while I was still working on the Weston ranch and even before I knew how Willow felt about me, I spoke to a realtor to get a sense of prices of properties around the town and to see what was available.He phoned a while ago about a property that is now available and just before you called me, Dad, he called again.”
“Well, if that isn’t a sign that Montana is where you should be, I don’t know what is.”His dad grinned.
Hunter looked his dad in the eye.“How do you feel about it?You and I have always talked about me coming back to take over from you.”
“We want you and Jade to be happy.That is really all any parent want for their kids.I know the ranch is in good hands with Wilder and Jade.Your mom and I will have time to take all the trips we’ve been talking about and you will still be involved.”
His mom touched his hand.“One of the first trips would be a visit to Yellowstone National Park.And you’ve told us so much about Marietta, I would love to spend some time there as well.”
“Let me show you what Jade and I and your dad have discussed,” Wilder said as he took out his laptop.Wilder had made an impressive spreadsheet and as he explained what he had in mind, Hunter tried to focus on the columns and what he was saying.His mind, however, was reeling with so many ideas and decisions and plans, he struggled to concentrate.
“Come on, you two,” his dad said as he got up.“We have so much to celebrate, you can talk figures later.”
“Will you excuse me for a moment?”Hunter asked.
“Are you going to phone Willow?”
“Nope, but I do have other people I need to talk with.”
“The grumpy brothers?”Jade asked.
“Them, too.”Turning away, he got out his phone.
Chapter Nineteen
Willow finished thefinal touches of the decorations on the table.Exactly how it happened she still wasn’t sure, but she was hosting the family’s Christmas Eve dinner in her house.She didn’t really mind and had even made a few snacks they could have before dinner.Her mom was looking so much better lately, but the mini stroke had made them all aware she was getting older, and she shouldn’t have to do everything herself like she used to.
Tomorrow’s celebrations would be at Hayden and Laura’s house.Willow’s sisters-in-law had been cooking up a storm over the last few days.Willow had helped as far as she could, but making actual meals was better left for the other family members who actually knew how.
She’d never before bothered putting up a tree, but yesterday she’d cut down the bare branches of one near her house, had painted it white and had dug out the Christmas decorations her mom had given her years ago.It wasn’t looking too bad, even if she had to say so herself.
Chuckling, she shook her head.She might just turn into a regular Martha Stewart if she wasn’t careful.
Checking her watch, she hurried to her room to put on the new dress her mom had bought her in Seattle.Oh, she wished Hunter was here to see her in it.The off the shoulder top fitted perfectly and the wide skirt ended just above her knees.He loved seeing her legs.
She’d been trying to call him all day to model the dress for him, but he hadn’t answered.Nothing was seriously wrong on his side, at least she knew that.His family were probably just busy preparing for their own Christmas.
