“So where is this mystery rancher who’s not here to greet his guests?” Gerald asked, tipping a third cup of beer to his mouth.
“I don’t know where Cash—” Tracy began but the whirring of helicopter blades interrupted her, drawing her eyes to the sunset sky.
Behind a red, white, and blue helicopter waved a red, white, and blue banner reading,Happy 4thof July and Happy Birthday, Tracy. As Tracy’s jaw dropped, people all around her began cheering, clapping, waving, pointing, and calling out happy birthday. Jacob snapped photos. Donna whispered something to Gerald and they both smirked.
To Tracy’s complete shock, Cash sat in the pilot’s seat. The words, Triple C Ranch, appeared on both sides of the helicopter. He flew in a wide circle above the ranch before landing in a grassy field beyond the five guest cabins. The banner fluttered to the ground behind the chopper and the blades overhead whirred to a stop.
“What a show-off,” Gerald said to Tracy and laughed. “Next year the sign will just say Happy Fourth of July.”
Ignoring Gerald and the thought of Cash cutting the banner in half, Tracy set her cup on a picnic table and walked toward the helicopter. She noticed a beautiful blonde carrying a blond little girl also heading to the helicopter.
“Hi,” the blonde said. “I’m Jade Cooper.”
“Hi, Jade. I’m Tracy Dalton and I’ve heard wonderful things about you and your family from Cash.”
“Thank you, Tracy. Coop speaks highly of you.”
A dark-haired man opened the closer door of the helicopter which was facing them. He lifted a dark-haired boy out of the helicopter and stood him on the ground. The boy ran to Jade.
“We’re back, Mom!” the little fellow called.
“I see that, sweet boy,” Jade replied. When the little girl reached for the man, who looked so much like Cash he certainly had to be Chase Cooper, Jade handed him their daughter and hugged their son.
Cash exited on the far side of the helicopter and strode around the front of it. Tracy caught a flash of uncertainty on his handsome face. So maybe he was unsure of their situation too. Some of the heaviness lifted from Tracy’s shoulders and she smiled her best smile at Cash. When he grinned in return, Tracy hurried to Cash and his arms opened wide.
“Happy Fourth of July birthday, spitfire,” Cash said as he hugged her.
“Thank you.” Tracy didn’t care who saw or what they thought as she boldly gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Breathlessly, she said, “I missed you today, big’n bad.”
“Me too,” Cash said and snared her hand. Walkingtoward the four people near the cockpit he said, “Tracy, I’d like you to meet my brother, Chase, his wife, Jade, my nephew, Colton, and niece Courtney.”
“I’m four. Courtney’s two,” Colton said.
“Hi Colton and Courtney.” Tracy smiled at him and then at the little girl.
“It’s nice to meet you, Tracy,” Chase said politely.
“Tracy and I introduced ourselves just a moment ago,” Jade said with a smile.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you all,” Tracy replied.
“She’s a looker!” Colton said importantly as if echoing something he’d heard.
The adults laughed and Tracy said, “Thank you, Colton.”
Colton told her, “Uncle Cash says you melt ice.”
“Okay, pardner,” Chase chuckled. “Look, here come your cousins.”
Cash squeezed her hand and Tracy squeezed back. Cash thought she was attractive! Her heart sang.Thank you, little Colton, she thought. Then Tracy noticed a lovely brunette walking toward them beside an attractive man with dark blond hair. In front of them two young boys and a girl came running. Obviously, these children and their families loved each other.
“Hi guys,” Cash began, “this is Tracy Dalton, who is writing the story about the ranch. Tracy, this is my sister and brother-in-law, Chloe and Derek Brevard.” With a smile at the kids he said, “My nephew, Cooper, is five. The twins, Austin and Abilene, are three.”
“Nice to meet you,” Derek said.
“Happy birthday, Tracy,” Chloe said. “We’re glad you could join us.”
“Thank you,” Tracy replied. “It’s so nice to meet all of you.”
