“You do,” she sighs, dropping into the nursing chair by the window. “I’m serious.”
“So am I,” I reply, securing the diaper and grabbing the new pair of pants for Chris. “I’ll go anywhere with you. Tucker’s offered to give me his place at Sterling Ranch. Carl and Lucinda understand my priorities have changed. They already know Tucker, so they wouldn’t be without help. He’ll take my place here at Wild Vista, so we can go to Willow Ridge.” I look up, only to find her eyes shining. “You want to be close to your sister. And I want to be wherever you are. We’re a team. And I can take care of us.”
Olivia releases a shaky breath and rises, just as I pick Christopher up and bring him to my chest. I will say, it didn’t take long for him to get used to me. It’s like we’ve always known one another. Am I still mad and upset I didn’t get to be a part of his life until now? Sure. But that’s neither of our faults, and I’m letting go of that resentment.
I think we both are. It’s only been three weeks of living together, but I can’t say we aren’t making it work.
“Working at Wild Vista Ranch has been great, but it isn’t exactly the greatest situation considering him,” I add, approaching Olivia slowly. “We need something a little less chaotic and a bit more stable. Hell, I don’t need to be working at a ranch at all. There are other things I could be doing.”
Olivia raises a questioning brow as she presses one hand to my chest, the other moving to the top of Christopher’s head. “Oh? And what would you do instead? You exude cowboy energy, Ford. I wouldn’t want either of us to get in the way of something you love doing.”
“You aren’t,” I murmur, dropping a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m a big boy. I have other means. I need to be doing something that’ll benefit our family. Not throw a wrench in it.”
“You doing what you loveisa benefit to our family, Ford.”
Our eyes meet, and I can tell she means it. And while the ranch has given me some help with making this work, it’s been a tough three weeks. Early mornings where I have to rush around quietly so I don’t accidentally wake Christopher, not being able to spend time with Olivia or help her get ready for the day.
Even though I tend to get home by the evening, I miss most of the day and I only get a couple of hours with Christopher before he’s put to bed. Then maybe an hour with Olivia before we both crash for the night.
For the first time in years, I’m considering the family fund I’ve never looked at. Just to make sure we havesomethingthat’ll give us a chance to be together.
“As much as I love my work,” I tell her, “I love you and our family more. What I want more than anything is to have a life with you.”
“Please don’t make me cry,” she mutters, pulling away and wiping a hand under her eye. “Before you do anything, we need to come up with a plan, then. No more doing things by accident.”
“Why not?” I tease, following her out of the nursery. “So far, that’s worked pretty well for us.”
ONE MONTH LATER
The Jade Mountainrange appears ahead, welcoming us to Willow Ridge and the start of our new life.
“Wow,” Olivia murmurs, leaning forward. “Cassidy really lucked out with this place.”
I’ve always been a southern boy, never leaving the area. I’ve dealt with the wild emotions of a Texas summer and the swings of a winter. But this…this is something else.
From the backseat, Christopher coos, and I can’t help but smile. “I think he agrees.”
Olivia chuckles, sitting back as the town comes into view. It looks like it stepped out of a postcard. “I get why she wanted to stay. It really is pretty.”
“The weather is refreshing, too.” It’s not sweltering like it is in the south. If I were to roll down the window of my truck, I’d imagine it to be warm based on the sun shining down on us, but not stifling. “It might actually be worth it.”
“Except the winter storms are atrocious,” Olivia murmurs.
“Isn’t that how your sister met her husband?” At least, that’s the story I got.
Now, I can’t comment on the validity of a relationship like Cassidy’s, consideringweonly got together because of a one-night stand and an accidental marriage in Vegas. Granted, it’s worked out well for us. And that seems to be the case for Olivia’s sister, too.
My wife shakes her head with a smile. “Thank god we’re moving here already married.”
“Why’s that?” I ask.
“Because according to Winnie, the mountain has the power to bring lost souls together,” Olivia says, grinning. “And Cassidy believes it.”
We take an older road that allows us to pass acres of land, all rolling hills and beautiful greenery. “What if we buy something? Land?” I ask, taking it all in—and the upcomingFOR SALEsign that sits at the mouth of a private driveway.
Olivia notices it, too. “Like, your own ranch?”
My cheeks warm, heart racing, but I nod. “Maybe not as grand, but?—”
