She shook her head, glanced around, and noticed everyone else was engaged in various side conversations. “I’ve considered rebuilding, but…”
“Too many bad memories?” Bristol asked, her voice rich with sympathy.
JJ had told Bristol what had happened when Dante Greenwood, her ex-boyfriend, had used her to stage his own kidnapping. Although JJ hadn’t been conscious for most of the event, she still recalled how she felt when she’d come to and found herself covered in blood. Not long after, her house had been blown to smithereens—thankfully without anyone inside—and all her possessions had gone up in flames. Strangely, she didn’t miss any of it, but whenever she thought about pulling into that driveway again, her insides chilled.
“Well, I might have an option for you,” Bristol stated.
“Yeah? You got a house for sale in Coyote Ridge?” JJ laughed. Real estate in Coyote Ridge was scarce, hence the reason she was living with Baz in an apartment in Austin rather than in the town she’d grown up in.
“Actually, I do.”
JJ’s gaze snapped to Bristol, her expression sobering. “What?”
A soft smile formed on Bristol’s pretty face. “It’s nothing fancy, mind you, but it is in Coyote Ridge.”
“Tell me more.”
Bristol turned more fully toward her. “It’s the house I grew up in. It needs some work, but I think it could be nice with a little elbow grease. I kept it because I wasn’t ready to part with it when I moved in with Kaden and Keagan.” She waved a hand. “But we’ve built a life on the ranch, and I know I’ll never go back to it. I hate that it sits there rotting away.”
JJ stared, feeling a bit giddy at the idea. “Are you sure?”
Bristol nodded. “You should take a look at it when you get a chance. You can stop by and grab the keys whenever you want. See what you think.”
“See what you think about what?” Baz asked, leaning over JJ’s shoulder.
“Nothin’,” she exclaimed quickly, smiling to distract him.
“Y’all are schemin’, aren’t you?” he teased.
“Always.” JJ glanced back at Bristol, hoping the woman caught on that JJ wanted to keep this on the DL for now. Of course, she would bring it up to Baz when the time was right. Just not yet.
“I was askin’ her if I might be able to wrangle you into helpin’ with the new dollhouse for the girls,” Bristol said, her eyes conspiratorially bright. “You’re good with a hammer and nails, right?”
JJ laughed when Baz’s eyes went saucer-wide.
“Me? Build a dollhouse?”
“Nothin’ fancy. I was thinking maybe twenty-five rooms. One-twelfth scale.” She pursed her lips, scrunched her nose. “Well, maybe. I’ve been goin’ back and forth. Maybe one-sixth is better. Barbie size, you know?”
“Twenty-huh?” he blurted.
“Okay, fine. We could downsize a little. Would fifteen be better?”
JJ giggled as she continued to watch Baz take it all in. He looked terrified by the idea, but she knew deep down he was likely already drawing up the plans because, while she’d grown quite fond of Peyton and Paisley, she knew Baz had practically fallen in love with the little girls. He would likely take a class on how to build a Barbie dreamhouse if that would make those little girls smile.
And just knowing that made her love him all the more.
*
TREYWALKER WALKED INTOMOONSHINERS TO THEfamiliar sight of friends getting together for a night of laughter and relaxation. The scent of pretzels and beer, combined with a variety of perfume and cologne, drifted toward him, made him feel instantly at home.
Moonshiners wasn’t a big place, nor was it the type of joint one would take a date to, but it was a comfortable hangout. A venue he frequented on a weekly basis these days. He tended to swing by, see who was there. Tonight, it appeared a good portion of his family had come out for a beer or two and some laughs. He noticed a handful of his cousins as well as his brother, Brantley, congregating along the far wall. They’d crowded around a handful of tables and were currently talking over one another as they told the stories of their week.
Trey intended to join them, but he headed for the bar first, sliding between a couple of old-timers and lifting a finger to get Mack’s attention.
“Hey, Mack,” Trey greeted. “Can I get a beer?”
“Comin’ up,” he said as he drew on the tap, filling a glass for another customer.
