Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82671 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 331(@250wpm)___ 276(@300wpm)
Everyone laughed.
“Or I’m kidnapping this little woman and taking her back to Ontario,” he teased, nudging Callie. “You can cook for me. Less work than this place.”
She laughed. “I bet you eat as much as the entire crew most days.”
Ronan and Liam laughed. Ronan let Callie fill his plate again. “My mom says we’re empty pits. Dinner for us takes her all day.”
I met Sammy’s amused eyes and winked. She had a good appetite too, and I liked watching her eat. She burned it off quickly enough the way she darted around all day.
“Do we get to go camping too?” Van asked, meeting my eyes.
“Of course, sir. Sammy wants you all to spend a day being cowboys, tagging along with me and my crew, and as long as the weather holds, we can do a night out.”
“Sounds good.”
“Your daughter did the whole experience. No tent, just a bedroll, the stars, and a campfire. You up for that?” I challenged. “Or do you want the glamorized version Sammy has in mind for some people?”
“I want it real.”
“Done.”
“Does that mean I get to ride on your lap too?” he responded.
I blinked, then he began to laugh. “Teasing, son. And stop calling me sir. It’s Van. Liv and Van. We’re not formal.”
I felt as if I had passed some test, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.
Crisis averted. At least for now.
CHAPTER TWENTY
LUKE
I had always prided myself on my ranch hands. I ran a tight crew, and we worked well together. Nothing prepared me for Sammy’s family. After they finished eating, they got down to business. Rachel and I followed them to the bunkhouses, watching as plans were rolled out and the men bent over them, listening to Sammy. She was in her element, and they all paid attention. Rapid-fire questions were answered calmly. Ideas were discussed, accepted, or dismissed. Tasks were assigned, steps were laid out, each man taking on a different aspect to be in control of. Ronan had had a hand in drawing the plans, but he let Sammy run the show, only speaking when a question was directed at him.
I looked over at Rachel, lifting my eyebrow in subtle admiration. She grinned like a loon, knowing her dream was about to come to life in front of her. Liv chuckled. “I’ve lost Sammy for the next while. She’ll be in there with them, hammering and nailing.”
“Is that, ah, safe?” I asked.
She patted my arm. “As soon as she expressed interest in building things, my husband taught her. She can hold her own, even with the odd mishap.” She turned to Rachel. “I understand there’re some great shops around. Once Sammy tells me what she’s looking for, I’ll start some recon. In the meantime, if you can tell me how to get to the closest grocery store, I’d like to make dinner for everyone. You two included. And your fiancé, of course.”
“Oh, we’d love that. I’ll drive you to the store. Although you might want to check the freezers here. Luke has to get to work on his chores. And you’re going to make sure the crews can help too, right, Luke? Whatever time they can spare?”
I had a hard time taking my eyes off Sammy. She was a wonder to watch as she drew a picture with her hands, demonstrating something to her dad. She was bright, alive, and in the zone. I hated to walk away, but Rachel was right.
“For sure. Sammy can tell me what she needs, and I’ll make sure it happens.”
“Awesome.”
They left, and I stood, observing for another few moments. The sun shone on Sammy’s hair, the color lighter than when she’d arrived from her time outside. Even her pale skin was touched by the sun. In her shirt and jeans, which were tucked into a pair of boots, she looked at home. At ease. Bossy. Sexy as hell.
I had to walk away before I did something stupid like drag her into my arms and kiss her in front of everybody.
But I wanted to.
I wiped my brow, looking around in amazement. What Sammy’s family had accomplished in a short time was nothing short of incredible. Walls were up. Plumbers that Sammy had hired locally worked on the plumbing. Electrical work was almost complete. The living room in the ranch house looked like a model home. Swatches of fabric, décor pieces, bedding, lamps, all sorts of items were piled up. There was a keep section, a return one, even a maybe pile. In one unused building, furniture and fixtures were being painted, repaired, reused. And Sammy ran it all. She helped build. Paint. Shop. She filmed. She interviewed. She was a wonder. Even I felt the stirrings of excitement. Whatever ideas Rachel had, Sammy had expanded and taken to the next level.
Liv tapped my arm, offering me water. I drank it gratefully. “Thanks, Liv.”