"I swear that girl fights sleep like it's her sworn enemy," Alice observes, pulling out a chair for Rachel.
Rachel sinks into it with a grateful sigh. "She gets that from her daddy."
Mason snorts. "Nice try, Princess. We both know how much I love my sleep."
Alice passes me the coleslaw. "So, Charlie, Rachel mentioned you wanted to explore more of Wildflower Valley. Makes sense to learn the area now that you're here to stay."
"That's the plan," I admit. "I haven't had time yet with all the moving and settling in."
"You'll like Stone Creek," Rachel says. "It's a cute town, and it has some great local spots."
"The feed store's got the best prices in the county," Burt adds. "And the hardware store owner, Bill, knows everything about ranch equipment. He’s a good man to know."
"I saw some of the town when we were closing on the ranch, but I didn't get any sightseeing in."
"I could take you tomorrow if you're available," Rachel offers. "Maybe walk around the downtown area, introduce you to some locals. It'll go a long way toward getting your bearings."
Mason nods his approval. "Good idea. You'll want to meet some of your neighboring ranchers. There are a couple who are big-time cattlemen."
"I'd like that," I agree, grateful for the offer. Having my sister show me around will be a hell of a lot easier than trying to figure it out on my own.
After lunch, I spend another hour with Cody walking through the paddocks, watching how the young man assesses thehorses. Cody points out subtle details in gait and temperament that show he's been paying attention during his summers in Kentucky, and I make mental notes about which of my own yearlings might benefit from Cody's steady eye.
As the afternoon wears on, I decide to head home. Rachel walks me out to my truck, one hand resting on her belly.
"Are you doing okay?" I ask.
"More than okay," she answers. "I get tired sometimes, but I'm thrilled."
I pull her into a gentle hug. "I'm glad, Sis. That's all I want for you."
"Same goes for you," Rachel replies. "I know the move was more about business than anything else, but I'm happy you're here."
"Yeah, me too." The words come out easily, and I pause with my hand on the truck door. I glance back at Mason and Cody walking toward the barn, at Rachel beside me, at the rolling pastures to the east. Something settles in my chest, a feeling a lot like belonging.
"So, tomorrow morning?" Rachel asks. "I can pick you up around ten. We'll do a tour of town, grab some lunch at the diner, and then swing by the Willow Sage Winery. Mason and I used to go there for date nights before the pregnancy. I think you'll enjoy it."
"Sounds good."
I climb into my truck and start the engine, raising a hand in farewell. As I pull away from the Lazy Fork Ranch, my mind wanders to a woman with blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, and enough attitude to launch a missile. A smile tugs at my mouth at the thought that maybe I’ll run into her soon.
Tomorrow can't come fast enough.
Chapter 4
Rachel pulls into the drive the next morning, her truck kicking up dust as she rolls to a stop near the main barn. I step out to meet her, grateful for the excuse to take a break from the inventory Wade has me reviewing.
"Ready to see your little slice of civilization?" Rachel asks, climbing down from the cab.
"Stone Creek, population what, a thousand?"
"Thirty-five hundred, thank you very much." She grins and gestures toward my truck. "You drive. I want to play tour guide, and it's hard to point things out while I'm behind the wheel."
The drive into Stone Creek takes us through landscape that's becoming more familiar each time I see it, the hills opening up as we approach the valley floor where the town sits nestled between limestone bluffs. The road narrows into Main Street, and the town unfolds around us in both directions from the square, a mix of limestone storefronts, professional offices with brass nameplates on the upper floors, and sidewalk cafes spilling out from under colorful awnings.
I park near the square and follow Rachel onto the brick-paved sidewalk. The morning sun warms the stone buildings, and there's a rhythm to the place that catches me off guard.
A group of women emerge from a yoga studio with mats tucked under their arms, laughing about something. A man in a suit cuts between them with a phone pressed to his ear, moving fast enough to suggest he's late for something. An older couple strolls arm-in-arm past a coffee shop on the corner, and a kid on a bicycle weaves between the outdoor tables with the confidence of someone who's done it a thousand times.
