“We came up yesterday,” Drake says.
Gianna peeks around Drake. “I’m trying to get him to move to Sugar Creek.”
“What about your parents?” I ask, recalling that Drake’s father has dementia.
“One of my sisters moved in with them,” he says. “And, really, it’s the same distance to them from Nashville as it is from Sugar Creek. It wouldn’t make much difference at all.”
“See? It only makes sense to move here,” Audrey says. “I mean, I’m here now with Brooks. And with Gray retiring, Astrid is going to be here all the time, too.” She shrugs and looksat Drake. “You’d probably save money if you just moved here because you’ll be visiting all the time if you don’t.”
Brooks hands me a beer.Good man.
Although Brooks was Gray’s best friend growing up, and Gianna and Audrey are Astrid’s, I’ve become an odd seventh wheel to their group. With Gray gone during the season and with Brooks having nothing to do, he winds up at the ranch more often than not. We’ve spent a lot of time—some could say too much—together over the past few months.
“We’re actually looking at a couple of properties tomorrow,” Gianna says.
“Where?” I ask.
Drake turns to me. “There are a couple of places out on Stimson, and then there’s a piece of property about three miles past where Brooks and Auddie are building.”
“But that one is land, and I don’t want to build,” Gianna says. “I don’t have patience for that mess.”
“But you could design anything you want,” Audrey counters, appealing to Gianna’s artistic side. “And you’d be so close to Astrid and me.”
“I can keep my eyes open for places if none of that works out,” I say. “I heard there’s a log cabin going on the market just south of town.” I glance at Brooks. “The old Cooper property.”
His eyes light up. “That could be a good one, Drake. I don’t know what shape it’s in, but it was a nice place the last time I saw it. And it has a chunk of land with it, I think.”
Drake laughs. “I know you all like your land, but all I see is more to mow and keep up with.”
“City boy,” Gianna says, laughing, too.
They banter back and forth about yardwork and how Gianna won’t be caught dead on a riding lawnmower. I tip my beer back and relax in my chair, scanning the room. It takes all of two seconds for my gaze to land onher.
Cutoffs and cowgirl boots make her tanned legs seem a mile long. A tight-fitting top is cropped at the navel, hugging her tits like a glove. Mira’s mid-laugh with her head tossed back, her long, dark hair wobbling on the top of her head, as she walks into Patsy’s alongside Markie.
“What do you think about it, Hartley?” Audrey asks.
I shake my head, turning back to the group. “I’m sorry. What do I think about what?” I patently ignore Brooks’s smirk.
“About Gray and Astrid living on the ranch full-time,” she says.
I take another drink to cool myself off before answering her. Every muscle in my body aches to twist in my seat to find Mira. Knowing she’s this close is torture, and it’s usually my cue to leave. I’ve learned the hard way that just because you want something doesn’t mean you get to reach for it. That level of restraint doesn’t come easily … and sometimes, it’s all I can do to resist.
“Yeah, I think it’s great that they’re going to stay on the ranch,” I say, setting the bottle down. “Feels like that’s the way it’s supposed to be.”
“I agree,” Audrey says. “And that’s why you should move here, Drake. I’ve always dreamed of the three of us raising our babies together. Although I didn’t think it’d be on a ranch.”
Brooks pulls her onto his lap. “Keep talking about having babies, and I’ll throw you over my shoulder and take you home, Doc.”
My palms slide down my thighs as I glance over my shoulder toward the dance floor.
Mira stands next to her sister in the middle of the room, the crowd thin enough now that I have an unobstructed view of her. Her body catches the rhythm, and she moves effortlessly to the music. It’s cruel to watch, knowing she should be the mother ofmy children and wishing I could be the reason she looks so damn happy tonight.
“Did you see Jasper when you walked in?” Brooks asks, nudging me with his elbow.
Sighing, I bring my bottle to my lips and turn to him. “Yeah.”
“What did you say?”
