I’ll have to be a more intentional judge of that.
“Ah!” Abigail wails. “My ears!”
I roll my eyes, and thankfully, she drops it before continuing. “Okay, but seriously. You can’t expect to meet someone if you don’t put yourself out there.” Kyle follows Stella to the playground I had built for the kids near the barn while my sister continues on with her lecture. “I really hate that you don’t make more time to prioritize yourself. You’re notjustsuccessful, Stetson. You love my kids like your own. You’re a great man, and any woman who doesn’t see that…well, she needs to be knocked upside the head with a heel.”
“That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Abbi.”
I’m fucking with her, but Abigail never gets deep.
“You better let it sink in, then.” She points her finger at me. “Maybe I should set you up with one of my friends. I’m sure I can find someone willing to date you.”
“Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence. You really do have such a way with your words.”
I watch as my sister grabs a marshmallow from the bag and pops it into her mouth. “Just let me set you up one time.”
Why does Cove instantly cross my mind?
Probably because she’s been the only thing on my mind since returning from Miami. Everything about her. That night was more than I could have ever asked for. I want a repeat.
She can’t do anything serious right now. Her mainfocus is work and being there for her mom and family. Not to mention the fact that she doesn’t trust men like me. I can respect that. But I don’t have to like it. Especially when I’m nothing like the men she’s referring to. I work hard to be different. I tried to show her that.
Figures the only woman I want lives states away and plans to avoid commitment for the foreseeable future. I just know I want something long-lasting.
And it about killed me to think she almost pushed me away.
That still doesn’t mean I’m done trying.
“No,” I tell Abigail, just wanting her to drop it.
I’m not interested in meeting her friends. I have my own friends. I don’t need any more.
“Boo, you bore. No fun,” she whines. “You can’t be dateless to your fiftieth next month.”
“I can, and I will,” I groan. “And don’t fucking remind me. Whose idea was this, anyway?”
“Mine, of course. Well, with the help of Kyle and Clay. All your friends and family will be here to celebrate you. You just need to show up and look pretty.”
“Lovely,” I huff. “I guess this means you’re taking over my house for the day?”
“More like the week. Some of them are staying for the week up until the party, remember?”
I might remember Abigail mentioning something about planning out the week ahead. Since a lot of our family and friends live out of state or on the opposite side of Texas, it makes sense for them to make a more lengthy stay out of it.
And if there’s anything I’ve got plenty of on this ranch, it’s space.
“Right. Yes. I remember. I’ll have Clay make sure the guest barn and spare rooms are made up for visitors.”
Speaking of visitors…Before she starts rambling off plans, I ask, “Any word if he’s coming?”
He.I know I don’t need to clarify. Abigail knows. He’s done nothing to assure us he’s even alive. I don’t expect him to show up, but shit, there was a day we talked about turning fifty like it was a lifetime away. Those good ole days still matter.
The Cole family has always had a rule—once you’ve been accepted by us, meaning our family, you’re in for good. It would take something catastrophic to change that.
Kyle and Abigail share a look, it’s neither comforting nor concerning. “He RSVP’d, so as far as I know, yes. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he bailed. It would be good to see him, though.”
Would it?I’m not so sure about that, little sister. But at the same time…there’s history between all of us. History is impossible to ignore or forget. And there are good times I wouldn’t want to.
“Yeah, I guess it would be. Should be interesting.”
