Someone has to be lookin' out for me to give me this. Everything I've ever wanted, right beside me in my bed, in my house, on my family's land.
And now I get it. Why Mom and Dad were so protective of us boys. I feel it already for my little girl. I'd die for her all over again.
I'm counting down the days until I can hold her in my arms.
There's one more thing I need to do to make everything align perfectly. To start the rest of our lives off the right way.
I meant it when I said there is no end to us.
I spot Violet's dark hair through the window, followed by Jett's hat, and I walk as fast as my body will let me to the door. Harper's upstairs having a bath, so I'm safe for a while.
I swing open the door. Violet grins at me, hands on her bump. And we all know about it, she's got everyone on this ranch running around, especially Jett.
And Lola is about to pop any day now. Just waiting for the moment. I can't wait to meet her new baby girl. I can't wait for all our kids to grow up here just like we did. A new era of Sterlings, although the women are going to outweigh the men soon.
With the Greeks basically gone and our hold here secure, I think we can finally breathe easy.
Well... until Colten has to marry Gianna. She saved us. But, I don’t trust her family.
"It's all set," V whispers.
"Thank you."
"You nervous?" Jett asks.
"No," I say. But I mean yes.
I've got every moment planned. As perfect as I could figure for her. Everything I can do to give her the best life. To give both my girls the best life.
"Well, good luck." Violet links her arm through Jett's.
For friends, they sure as hell behave like a married couple. They both swear it's not that. I don't argue. I think they'd be perfect for each other.
"Have you seen Colt?" I ask Jett.
He sighs. "Spent most of this week in his animal center, Ace."
I nod. I know what that means. Whenever Colten has a crisis, he pulls away from everyone. After Mom died, I didn't see him for weeks. After Dad—that's when he set up the animal center, where he takes in injured or recovering animals. Wild and not. He'd rather sit with a busted-up hawk than talk about his feelings. And right now, my brother's been traded into a marriage to save my life, so I figure he's got a barn full of animals hearing all about it.
I owe him everything. And I don't have the first clue how to repay my debt.
One thing at a time.
"Wish me luck," I say.
Jett tips his hat. "You don't need luck. She's been yours since the tenth grade, you idiot."
* * *
An hour later, Harper's in the passenger seat of my truck, hair still damp from the bath, wearing my hat because she stole it off the hook on the way out the door. The way she always does.
And I’m allowed to drive on the ranch. Her rules. Anywhere outside of here, I’m banned.
"Where are we going?" she asks for the fourth time.
"You'll see."
"Ace."
