It rattled me, I can’t imagine what it did to him.
Well, I do remember him keeping us gathered together like we were a couple of bottle calves that needed constant babysitting. I think it was months before he didn’t look visibly shaken every time one of us would leave the house without him.
And knowing that Oliver had no problem dragging away that guy in Tacoma makes me feel safer.
He’s already stood up for me, long before I even realized he cared.
“What did you want to do with my cows?” I’ve grown up with them always being a part of the main bunch.
For some reason it never dawned on me that I could actuallydoanything with them.
Dad tips his brim towards Oliver. “He’s got the ground—”
“We.” Oliver interrupts him.
God, warm fuzzies explode in my chest.
The corner of Dad’s mouth rises. “—you both have the space to run them. I’ll supply the hands to tend them if I can run some of the ranch’s there too.”
I’m confused. Looking between Dad and Oliver, I finally turn to Ollie. “How many acres do you have?”
“We,” he grunts. “We have twelve-hundred.”
I blink at him. “Oh.”
His eyes fasten on my mouth, and I can feel his crotch swell under my hip.
Mmm, I might have to explore that later.
With heat rising in my neck, I try to maintain my composure and turn to face my dad. “How many cows do I have?”
“Over four-hundred.”
Oliver lets out a rapid exhale. “I suppose we’re both full of surprises.”
“Every year I gifted each of the kids a heifer, and then they got to keep any calves from them.” Dad’s shoulders rise and fall.“They add up. Sawyer opted to sell off some of his to pay for his house.”
“I’m doing the same.” Uncle Dixon gives one of his rare smiles. “Had to play a little catch up for Paisley.”
“That’s such a great idea.” Oliver’s mouth nears my cheek. “We should do that for our kids.”
Shit.
My spine stiffens as panic floods my system.
This time, Dad grins. “He told me, Soph. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Char quit racing for the same reason.” Uncle Dixon lets out a soft sigh that somehow doesn’t fit his imposing size. “We talked about no more kids after this next one so she could get back into it if she wanted to.”
“I should be fine for this last season though. Then I can quit.” My palm rests over Oliver’s knuckles.
Uncle Dixon’s forehead furrows. “Soph. When is your due date?”
A cool sweat tickles the back of my neck. “Um, I don’t know exactly.”
Shit, I literally found out yesterday.
Is there really a chance I won’t finish this season?
