“We’d need to move fast if we’re gonna do it,” Jim interjected. “Get the infrastructure in place before winter hits. That means we’ve got maybe four months, tops.”
Four months. That was doable, if we started now. And it would give me something to focus on besides being cooped upin that tiny house, counting ceiling tiles and slowly losing my mind. But it also meant cutting it close on those profits my father wanted to see by the end of month six. However, things had been going very well thus far, and the numbers were looking good.
“Let’s do it,” I decided. “Angelo, work with Mr. Wesley to put together a plan. I want cost estimates, timeline, everything. Nick and I will review it and make a final call.”
Angelo’s face lit up like I’d just given him the best news of his life. “Really, boss? You mean it?”
“Yeah, I mean it.” I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. “Just don’t make me regret it.”
“You won’t, I promise!” Angelo looked like he wanted to hug me but thought better of it. Instead, he turned to Mr. Wesley with renewed energy. “Come on, Jim, let’s go take another look at that land. I’ve got some ideas about where we could put the watering stations?—”
They headed off together, already deep in conversation, leaving Nick and me standing there alone.
“They’re on a first name basis now?” I scoffed, unable to stop the grin from forming on my face. “Angelo’s getting awfully cozy with your family.”
Nick’s expression softened as he watched his father and Angelo disappear around the corner of the barn. “Yeah, they are. Mom too. He told me a couple days ago that she’s been teaching him how to make pie.”
“Your mom’s teaching Angelo to bake?” I couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image. “That’s... actually kind of sweet.”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” Nick said, but there was warmth in his voice. “Just because they like Angelo doesn’t mean they’ve forgiven you.”
“I know.” The reminder stung more than I wanted to admit. “But it’s a start, right?”
Nick looked at me then, really looked at me, and something in his expression made my chest tighten. “Yeah. It’s a start.”
We stood there for a moment, the silence between us comfortable in a way it had never been before. It almost felt…normal.
“You want to walk down to the creek?” Nick asked suddenly. “It’s not too far, and the fresh air might do you good.”
I knew what he was really asking. He wanted time alone with me, away from the prying eyes of ranch hands and family members. Away from the careful distance we had to maintain in public.
“Yeah,” I said. “I’d like that.”
We started walking, taking it slow for my benefit. The path down to the creek wound through tall grass that swayed in the breeze, golden in the morning light. I could smell that sweetness again, stronger now. It was definitely wildflowers, mixed with the clean scent of water and earth that was so much different than the world I’d come from.
As soon as we were out of sight of the main buildings, Nick’s hand found mine. His fingers laced through my own, callused and strong, and I felt some of the tension I’d been carrying drain away.
“Better?” he asked, echoing his earlier question.
“Much better.” I squeezed his hand, marveling at how natural this felt. How right. “Though I feel like I’m the one that should be comforting you, not the other way around.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because this is all new to you. The whole being-with-a-man thing.” I glanced at him, trying to read his expression. “I keep waiting for you to freak out. To realize what we’ve been doing and decide it was all a mistake.”
Nick stopped walking, turning to face me fully. His green eyes were serious, intense in a way that made my breath catch.
“You think that’s going to happen?” he asked quietly.
“I don’t know. Maybe?” I hated how uncertain I sounded. Dante Valenti was cool and confident, not this soft-hearted person I’d become. “Your whole life, you thought you were straight. And then I came along and fuckedeverythingup?—”
“You didn’t fuck everything up.” His free hand came up to cup my jaw, his thumb brushing across my cheekbone. “Yeah, this wasn’t how I expected my life to go. And yeah, I’m still figuring out what it all means. But Dante...” He paused, searching for words. “What we have, what we’re doing... it doesn’t feel like a mistake. It feels like the first thing that’s made sense in a long time.”
My throat felt tight. “You mean that?”
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.” He leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine. “I’m not going anywhere, Dante. I’m in this. Whatever this is.”
I closed my eyes, breathing him in. “I’m in this too. More than I probably should be.”
