Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“But, what about Jake?”
“I thought about taking him, but he insisted on staying with the horses. Brady and Millie will take turns staying here with him. He’s mostly fine by himself, but I want an adult here at night. My parents will look in on him. I have a village.” I smile at her, touched that her first thought was of my teenager.
“He can call me if he needs anything,” she offers.
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Polly simply walks into my arms and hugs me around the middle, her ear pressed to my chest.
“It sucks that you have to go for so long.”
“I’ll miss you, too.” I kiss her hair and breathe her in. “But the time will go by fast. I heard you tell Millie that business is picking up for you, too.”
“It’s the crazy season,” she confirms with a sigh. “Yeah, I’m busy. And I’m being selfish. I hope you have a productive, safe trip. I’ll text you inappropriate messages.”
“I’m looking forward to that.”
The door slides open behind us, and I glance back to find my mom walking in with an empty pitcher of what was lemonade.
“Oh, excuse me,” she says, and the grin spreads wide over her face. “I have to pour more lemonade for the troops.”
“I’ll help,” Polly offers.
“Oh, thank you, dear, but do you mind if I have a conversation with my son?”
Polly laughs and shakes her head. “Not at all. Sounds like you’re in trouble.” She pats my arm as she heads for the door. “Good luck with that.”
She closes the door behind her, and I pat the ache in my chest before turning to my mother, who has a gooey look on her pretty face.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“Do you, now?” She clucks her tongue and pours lemonade into the pitcher. “And what is that?”
“That Polly and I make a handsome couple, and you’re wondering when you can marry me off.”
“That feels a little fast, but sure. When can I marry you off? I like Polly so much. Her mother is in my book club, and she helps out at the food bank with me. Hell, I went to high school with her. I’ve known her a long time.”
“I know,” I reply and take the heavy pitcher from her. “Mac is my oldest friend. I know that you know their parents.”
“Wouldn’t it be fun if they were in-laws?”
I hadn’t really thought of that. “Mom, Polly and I are just dating right now. I like her a lot, but no one is talking about marriage.”
“You’re an idiot.” It’s said with so much love and a big smile on her face as she pats my cheek. “But, you’ll come around. Bring that lemonade outside, will you? The kids want some of it.”
I don’t remember the last time anyone dared call me an idiot. Probably Remington, when I told him about my plans to move off the ranch and leave Montana.
And I’m a little disconcerted that the one who called me that is my own mother.
“Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?”
Mom grins back at me. “You know your mother so well.”
I follow her outside, and there’s Remington himself, holding Holly’s hand.
“I have to poop,” she announces, and I can’t help but laugh at her.
“How about if I take you?” Mom offers, and takes Holly’s hand, leading her back inside to the bathroom.
“Your kids are the best,” I say to Rem, who nods and shuffles his feet. We’re alone, with everyone else off talking or swimming or playing games in the grass.
And, despite the fact that I’ve been home for a full year, Rem is still uncomfortable with me.
“We have to cut this shit out,” I say, my voice low. “I need my brother, man. It’s been a long-ass time.”
“Six years,” he says with a nod. “It was six years ago that I needed my brother, and he couldn’t be bothered.”
His eyes meet mine, hot and angry all over again.
“That’s not how it was.”
“Fuck that,” he bites off, shaking his head. “That’s exactly how it was. My wife died, I had two babies, and I needed you to stay at the ranch for a few weeks.”
“You had Mom and Dad, Chase and Brady. Millie.”
“I needed you,” he bites out. “You were my goddamn best friend, and I needed your help. Instead, you couldn’t get out of there fast enough. You showed me that day where your priorities are, and they aren’t with your family.”
“Rem—”
“No. You can have us all out here, play with my kids, and pretend like you’ve figured it all out, that you’ve come home for good, but you’ll just leave again, Ry.”
“I’ve been home for a year. And in case you missed it, I have a kid of my own now. A ranch with horses and a kid and a goddamn girlfriend. I have a life in Bitterroot Valley, so to stand there and accuse me of being ready to bug out at any time is a fucking dick move, and you know it. I couldn’t stay six years ago. I wanted to, and I felt so fucking guilty—”