“That is impressive.”
“I know. It’s an exciting time.”
“Do all your siblings work on the ranch?”
She nods. “Yeah, I have three older sisters. Matty is the oldest, and she runs the ranch with my daddy. Then there’s Charli; she trains horses, just like our mom used to do. Shelby is a former barrel racing champion, and now she trains riders.”
“And you never had any interest in working at the ranch?”
“Oh, I do work there. I’m basically an unpaid ranch hand anytime they need me.”
“Is that right?”
She nods. “Yep. Grandma calls it working for our supper. She and Grandpa live on the ranch too. They moved in to help when our mother passed. My aunt, uncle, and our cousins work and live on the land too.”
“Must have been nice, growing up in such a large family.”
“It was. Although the ranch house has been awfully quiet since I got home from school. Matty is married now. She and her husband built a house a few miles down the road. Charli moved into a cabin behind the house with her beau, Bryce Raintree. And then Shelby spends most nights at the neighboring ranch with her man and his daughter.”
“You sound unhappy about the changes.”
“Oh, no. I’m thrilled for all of them. I just miss having my sisters sleeping down the hall from me.”
I nod slowly. “Makes sense,” I say. “Did you say Bryce Raintree? As in pro bull rider Bryce Raintree?”
“The very one. Charli was working with him during his recovery after he was trampled during an event a couple of years ago, and they fell in love. He’s actually the ranch’s partner in the rodeo school.”
“Extraordinary. That name ought to attract a lot of business,” I remark.
“That’s the hope.” There’s warmth in her voice when she says it.
“It all sounds exciting.”
“Yep. But the best thing that’s happened since I got home is the birth of my baby nephew, AJ.” Her whole face lights up when she says his name. “Matty literally went into labor the day I returned to Wildhaven. Cutest baby in the entire world.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Oh, no,” she says brightly. “I have pictures.”
She immediately reaches in her bag for her phone, and within seconds, she’s sliding it across the table toward me.
A chubby-cheeked baby stares up from the screen.
I can’t help laughing.
“Okay, yeah. That’s a pretty cute kid.”
“Right?” She beams.
Our server brings a basket of bread and butter and places it between us.
Harleigh graces him with a warm smile as she thanks him.
Then she picks up the conversation again. “What about you? Any nieces or nephews?”
“Nope. I’m an only child.”
“Ever been married?”
