Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95273 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“But no help from the Wilds.”
His eyes meet mine, glowing in the firelight. “No. Personally, I don’t have a beef with Holden or his sisters. Never have, although I know something happened between him and Millie.”
We both look over to where Millie’s sitting with the kids, laughing as they tell her stories.
“There’s something there,” I agree softly.
“Like I said, no beef on my part. But my dad is old-school and still remembers some of the shit that happened when he was a kid, and it wasn’t good.”
“Maybe, as generations pass, things will change.”
Brady shrugs and offers me a bite of his s’more.
“When do you leave, Brady?” Chase asks from just a little way away.
“Day after tomorrow,” Brady replies. Instinctively, he reaches for my hand and threads our fingers together. “I leave before dawn for the airport.”
Polly’s watching me with somber eyes, but I smile, putting on a brave face.
“He’s going to kick ass,” I add, squeezing his hand. “Hey, is it televised somewhere that I can watch it?”
Brady’s gaze whips down to mine, his eyes fierce, and I know that I’ve asked the wrong thing.
“You can not watch.” His voice is almost desperate, full of panic. “Absolutely fucking not.”
“I know you don’t want anyone there in person, but—”
“It’s his thing,” Remington says with a shrug. “No watching, even on TV. We can watch after, though.”
“There are all kinds of videos of his rides through the years on YouTube,” Ryan adds.
“Oh.” I blink up at Brady and see that he’s still breathing hard, and it breaks my heart that I made him panic. “Don’t worry. I won’t seek it out and watch it. But I might watch some rides on YouTube.”
He licks his lips and nods, then kisses my forehead. “Those we can watch together.”
“Tonight?”
He laughs and nods. “Sure. Whenever you want.”
I glance around, looking for my daughter, and find her huddled up with Holly, both of them with heavy eyes, watching the fire.
“I think Daisy should get home for a shower and bedtime.”
Brady nods, pops the last of his s’more into his mouth, and stands, guiding me to my feet, as well.
After saying our goodbyes, we get Daisy into my SUV and head for town. We’re not even on the highway when Daisy falls asleep in the back seat.
Brady’s quiet as we drive in the darkness, so I settle back against the seat and reflect on the day.
The more time I spend out on the ranch, the more I love it. The views of the mountains, so tall and proud, reaching up into the sky, are absolutely stunning. We have amazing views in town, too, but there’s something extra special out at the ranch. I know that today was damn hard work for everyone. Each and every person there had a job to do, even the kids, and no one sat idle. It was exhilarating. I loved the comradery and the sense of community, and that my daughter and I were a part of it, even if it was just a small part.
Daisy was enthralled. I could see on her face that she wanted to be in that ring, helping, wrangling calves, and doing what the cowboys do.
And maybe someday she will. My girl loves animals so much and has no fear of the horses.
Sometimes, that scares me. A little fear is healthy.
Before long, Brady pulls into my garage and lifts Daisy out of her booster seat and carries her inside.
“Baby girl,” I croon, brushing her hair off of her face. “You have to wake up, baby doll. You need a bath before bed.”
“Tomorrow,” she whimpers, but I shake my head.
“No deal. You’re too dirty to sleep like that. Come on, we can make it quick.” I glance up at Brady. “You can set her down. She needs to walk up the stairs and wake up a bit.”
Since our night in the cabin, Brady and I haven’t spent even one night apart. He stays here every night, and I feel a little guilty about that because he works so early at the ranch and has to leave before the sun even thinks about coming up so he can do his early chores and then train.
Honestly, it would be so much better if we lived at the ranch.
“Come on, baby. Quick shower. I’ll help you.”
I get Daisy stripped down and under the warm spray, and she just stands there like a zombie, so I get to work, scrubbing her down with a washcloth and then using the wand of the showerhead to spray the soap away.
I have to wash her long dark hair, as well, so I do, loving the way it feels in my fingers. She has such pretty hair.
When we’re done, I towel her dry and help her into clean pajamas and then comb out her wet hair and secure it in a braid. It’ll be nice and wavy tomorrow, and she’ll like that.