The home almost taken from us by a hurricane.
And now that home is being completely restored before our very eyes.
“Because I love you, and we help the people we love.”
I cry, “Mom, you’re okay with this?”
Mom nods. “Honey, I learned a long time ago that if aman is willing to show up for you in the small things, he’ll love you well in the big things. There’s no use in arguing. Stetson loves you, Cove. Let him demonstrate that love, however he sees fit.”
I have a man who loves me. He loves me so much that within sixteen hours, he had a crew of men at my mom’s house to start restoring my childhood home. Stetson doesn’t spend his money on anything. Hell, he still drives an old truck and drinks from the same chipped coffee cup every morning.
But this gesture…I can’t express the magnitude of what it means to me.
My body moves on its own, putting me right in Stetson’s arms. I reach for his black cowboy hat and lower it to my side. “I love you more than words could ever say. Thank you for being the man I always needed. And thank you for this.” I gesture to Mom’s house, my heart bursting with ease knowing the worry is gone. “You’ve rescued me in more ways than one, Stet.”
“And I’d do it again and again. Get used to it.” He kisses my nose before pulling my mom into a side hug with us. “Right, Ms. Davenport? That goes for you, too.”
“Thank you, Stetson.” Mom grins. “You two won’t have to worry about me once all this is done and over with. I’ll have my house again, and you’ll have each other. I couldn’t be more grateful.”
Speaking of each other…
“It’s no hardship at all,” Stetson tells Mom before turning back to me and whispering into my ear. “When do you go back to work?”
“Not for a few more days. How long are you in Miami?”
“However long I need. I hired Greg as the foreman over the restoration. He’s a good guy. Trustworthy andlocal to Texas. He’s doing me a favor, so I don’t necessarily have to be here too long.”
I nod, and I think Mom catches on where our conversation is headed before excusing herself. “We should probably talk,” I say almost breathlessly, leaning into his side.
Stetson traces his fingers along the outside of my arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Okay, my love. Let’s talk.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
stetson
“I loved her against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be.”
Charles Dickens
The driveto the beach is quiet, for the most part.
There’s a heaviness going into this conversation that we both know is there. The moments after Cove left the party felt like a blur, even if it was just last night.
I’m not sure I would have been as calm as I was if it weren’t for her note. Writing things down still seems to soothe me, even when the gesture is out of reciprocation. I knew I needed to help her and do it fast.
Cove isn’t a woman who waits around for things to come to her. She acts quickly and efficiently to help the people she loves. Case in point: the way she stormed her beautiful little ass onto her mother’s property without a care in the world, ready to dominate in a field saturated by men.
I fucking love that about her.
But I knew I could beat her at her own game. It was crucial I act fast before she already had a new plan in motion. No doubt the flight home for her was an act of damage control, and if I had to guess, her plan was to sell everything she owned.
And that simply wasn’t going to cut it for me.
I have more money than necessary at this point, and never had anyone to spend it on. It’s a pleasure to provide for her needs in this way. And within the short time I spent with her mother this morning, I can see so many of my favorite attributes in Cove that she got from Camille. It’s no wonder their bond is so great.
Calling my buddy, Greg, to help out was a gamble. The summer months are a hit or miss in contracting, so I prepared a backup plan just in case he was slammed with projects. Somehow, I managed to forget he owed me one. Typically, I have plans set out for all cattle before herding begins or a purchase has been made, which means it’s crucial I build a decent reputation with other ranchers. Tackling business deals with a competitive eye gets you nowhere in cattle farming. Respect and healthy communication get you a long way.
I was able to hook Greg up with a local rancher closer to his side of Texas—same one I purchased Nellie from last year—and get him a ridiculous deal on some beef. Perks of being a good fucking person in my industry.
