I’ve watched Jasper around her, the way his casual flirting has faded into the background, because he no longer feels what he’s felt for other women. Now, it’s different. Deeper. Lawson turns patient, giving her the space and steadiness she so desperately needs. And Lincoln… hell, he looks at her like she’s something he hasn’t seen in a long, long time. He looks at her like she’s hope personified.
As for me? I’m gone. Absolutely fucking gone. Put a fork in me, I’m cooked.
I like seeing her thrive here. Helping in the barns, bundling up to walk the property, becoming more and more sure of herself every time she gets on Griffin. She’s learning the rhythms of the ranch life like she was made for it. Montana looks good on her. She glows out here, and I can’t stop watching it.
Lawson finally breaks the silence. “She’s been here two months.” He crosses his arms, posture stiff, but his voice is soft. “And none of us wants her to leave. It doesn’t pay to deny it.” He shoots a quick look at his brother. “We need to decide how we’re handling this.”
To our surprise, Lincoln speaks first. “We let her lead.” His tone is steady and firm. “We push her too hard, she’ll run. The last thing she needs is four men making advances at her like a bunch of jackasses.”
Jasper grunts in agreement. “Not backing off either.”
“Nobody’s saying we should,” I add. “We do what we’ve been doing. Make her comfortable. Show her support. Make her feel like this is her home, because it is. We don’t hide how we feel, but it’s important she sets the pace.”
There are four slow nods.
We share everything else—this land, this life, this loyalty that’s older than most of our scars. Jas and I have even shared women before. Though, that was just sex. Just fun. And even though I’m not sure if it’s something that would come naturally to Lincoln or Lawson, I know it’s something they’d be open too. Because if they weren’t, we wouldn’t even be standing here having this conversation.
Sharing her doesn’t scare any of us. Losing her does.
Lincoln’s gaze drifts back toward the porch. “She looks really fucking happy.”
“She looks like ours,” I say, because I’m the only one dumb enough to say what we’re all thinking out loud.
No one disagrees.
The wind picks up around us, icy and sharp, but none of us move to go inside. This matters too much.
Lawson pulls at his gloves. “She’s doing better here. Granted, I didn’t know her before, but we all saw her when she got here. She feels stronger. Freer. Whatever this becomes, it has to be something that makes her feel safe.”
“And wanted,” Jas adds.
“She already is,” I say, and dammit if that isn’t the truth.
We stand there for a few more seconds, the four of us side by side, hearts already a little tangled in something none of us planned for.
Clapping my hands together, I say, “Alright. If we’re all in agreement, I’m freezing my ass off, and it’s Friday.”
Lincoln gives me a look. “And?”
“And there’s drinks and dancing at The Busted Barrel, and I think it’s about time we show Miss Adams how to have some fun. You do remember fun, right?”
Lincoln kicks snow up in my direction, but his grin tells me everything I need to know. He’s in.
Cupping my hands, I yell across the driveway, “Hey, Darlin’! How you feel about dancin’?”
Chapter twenty-four
Abigail
I’llbereadyinfive minutes, I swear!” I call through my bedroom door.
Beau’s amused voice calls back from where they’re all waiting on me in the living room, because apparently, just one of them coming to pick me up was insufficient. “No rush, Darlin’. We’re good out here.”
“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere,” Lincoln adds.
Jasper whistles low and playful. “Yeah, Red. Only thing we’re waitin’ on is you.”
“We said seven, so we’re early. You’re fine,” Lawson says, calm and steady.
