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I nod.

"She okay?"

"Yep. It's getting close to Charlie's bedtime," I state, changing the topic.

"I'm glad you brought that up."

"Oh?"

He steps closer. "I want you and Charlie to stay at my house tonight. Both of you. I hate watching you walk back to the Butterfly House every night."

The offer sits warm and tempting in my chest and for a second, I actually consider it, before practicality wins out. "It's too soon, Jagger. Mama's finally starting to come around on you. I don't want to undo that by moving too fast in front of her."

He's quiet a beat, and I brace for him to push back, but instead, he waits a moment staring at me before saying, "Okay. But I'm not going to wait forever."

I smile. "Noted."

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Jagger

Thanksgiving Day

Frost coats the pasture in a thin, silver layer on Thanksgiving morning. By the time seven hits, the ranch simmers with woodsmoke and turkeys. But my brothers and I have been up since five, tending the animals so we can enjoy the rest of the day.

I glance over at the Butterfly House, antsy to see Lainey and Charlie, but trying to stay patient. Her mama's been at the window several times. The first time I saw her, I waved. But I haven't seen Lainey yet, and as much as I want to see her, I hope she's still sleeping. She's been going hard all week, and every night, her yawns continue to remind me how much she's taking on so soon after giving birth to Charlie.

It's been the best week of my life.

I've thought that at least a dozen times over the last day. It's usually at some random moment when Lainey laughs, or Charlie squeezes my finger harder, or Lorraine drops her guard another inch.

Yep, it's been the best week of my life. There are only two problems.

I haven't managed to get Lainey on a second date yet. Half the ranch's operation gets crammed into the days leading up to Thanksgiving. The animals still need tending. And the horses need to be ready to win for the big weekend races.

Lainey's been just as busy with Renegade and Two-Step's rehab schedule. To add to it, Emma's pony Cinderella strained her stifle two days ago when she lost her footing and slipped.

Emma was riding her and thankfully wasn't hurt, but the way she freaked out almost got her a trip to the emergency room. Evelyn was getting her purse when her husband, Clay, told her to calm down. He insisted Emma was just upset Cinderella was hurt. And once Lainey convinced Emma that Cinderella would recover, Emma calmed down.

So between our work schedules and all the drama, I haven't had a single evening free to take Lainey anywhere. And everywhere on this ranch is crawling with my relatives. There's been no opportunity to have any fun in the barn or anywhere else.

I've started to get antsy. It's not helping that Lainey won't bring Charlie and stay the night at my place. She keeps blaming her mama, but I'm starting to feel like she's using it as an excuse. The ache I have for her and my daughter to be in my home is growing. I keep wondering if she doesn't want to be, and then I push it back, telling myself she's just trying to get her mama to like me first, but it feels off.

"What's up?" Mason asks, dropping into the chair beside me on the porch. Steam rises out of his coffee mug.

"I'm thinking."

He props his boots up on the rail, grinning. "About what? Everything's going great in your life. You've got the girl and the new baby. The whole family's obsessed with both of them. What's the problem?"

"No problem. I just haven't managed to get Lainey on a second date yet. Feels overdue."

"Take her out tonight, then."

"Can't. She's meeting Carla later tonight."

Mason's jaw tightens slightly. Then it's gone almost as fast as it appears. He casually asks, "When did she get in town?"

"She isn't yet. Supposed to arrive tonight."