Page 149 of Colt

Billie got the green light from her parents to start the animal therapy program she’s been talking about. I’m thrilled for her. I also told her I’d be happy to work on a website and branding for her. I barely finished my pitch when she tackled me with a hug and hired me on the spot.

Mack’s booming laugh fills the whole building. “And being totally badass while you’re doing all that good. Proud of you, B.”

“I’m proud of me too,” Billie says.

Someone claps their hands, and I realize a beat later it must be Nash because he says, “Let’s not forget that lover boy is in the picture and that Colt doesn’t hate y’all anymore.”

“You’re welcome,” Colt replies easily. He presses his hand against the conference room door, even though it’s already open, gesturing for me to go inside before him. “After you, Miss Brown.”

Another shiver. I like it when he’s polite. Almost as much as I like it when he’s obscenely rude.

My heart stutters when I see the whole family seated around the conference room’s massive oak table. Paige is at the head, with Dale seated on her right. They’re surrounded by their children, their hats resting brim side up on the table.

The room is loud, filled with voices and smiles and the scent of the outdoors, and I’m struck by a single thought.

This.

I want this.

The Wallaces are just so connected with each other. They have to be if they want to keep their animals alive and their ranch running. Makes me realize how disconnected my own family is. The silences, how preoccupied we all are with our own shit—it keeps us apart.

I’m trembling as I greet everyone with a smile. Yes, I’m nervous. But I also think I’m coming to some kind of realization that shakes me to my very core.

“I’m so glad this day is finally here.” Dale rises from his seat and ambles over to shake my hand. He glances at Colt, who’s passing out copies of the presentation to his siblings and mom. “Amazing work, by the way, bringing my son over to our cause.”

“No easy feat.” I lock eyes with Colt across the room. “But I like a challenge.”

Billie comes over to wrap me in a hug. “Colt’s got it bad for you, sister,” she murmurs in my ear. “I think that’s part of the reason why he came around with Ryder and me—he’s happy. Or happier. Thanks for that.”

Giving her a squeeze, I say, “I’m happy too. Thanks again for having me here on the ranch. It’s truly been a pleasure. Well, except for the beginning⁠—”

“Gonna make the payoff that much sweeter, though, right?” Billie pulls back and puts her hands on my shoulders. “You know we’re always looking to even out the guy-girl ratio here on the ranch.”

“Always,” Paige adds.

I laugh, heat flooding my face. “Y’all are too kind. You certainly have something special here at Double U.”

“I see what you did there,” Beck says, standing so he can wrap me in a hug too.

Why so many hugs?

As if reading my mind, Beck whispers, “I hope you stick around to see what happens next. You know, after you wrap up this project, so you can start on mine for the Hen. You’re welcome to stay on the ranch long as you like.”

“Quit bein’ a sketch ball and go sit.” Colt crosses the room to stand by my side. “You heard me, Benjamin Becker.”

Beck’s eyebrows pop up. “The full name. He must be serious.”

“You’re an ass.” Colt glowers at him over my shoulder.

But Beck just smiles. “Good luck, Lainey. I’m rooting for y’all. I mean you. I’m rooting for you.”

I marvel at how different these two cowboys are. They look similar enough—the size, the squint—but their personalities are total opposites.

Then again, I’m relatively certain they’re made of the same stuff at their core. They value the same things. Family, hard work, honesty.

Or maybe I’m just dreaming all this up because the fact of the matter is I don’t know Beck all that well. I’d like to, though.

My God, you want to stay, don’t you?