Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98345 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
The question is…was it to bring Beck to his family? Or to me?
Beck pulled up to the ranch gate and let out a whistle. “Nice entrance.”
I smiled. “Why do I feel like the entrance to your family’s ranch back home is bigger and grander than ours?”
He chuckled. “It is, but this one feels like a real ranch entrance. I like it.”
“The code is ten sixty-six.”
Beck reached out and typed in the code. We drove down the long driveway, and I grinned like a fool as I looked out at the pastures.
“Looks similar to our place, minus the beautiful mountains all around us. Man, I bet these pastures are fertile as hell.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Down in a valley like this, the river floods and deposits organic material, making the valley more fertile.”
I nodded. “My dad raises Angus and Hereford cattle.”
“Makes sense, they would be suited for Montana.”
Smiling, I said, “So you know about the land and what cattle would best be suited for it?”
He laughed. “I guess it’s in my blood.”
Biting on my lower lip, I stared at him a bit longer than I should have. I quickly turned away before he noticed.
Bradly and Mackenzie were waiting for us to pull up before they went in. Beck parked behind Bradly’s truck and let out a long sigh.
“Are you okay? If you’re not ready to meet my parents, you don’t have to. I hope I didn’t pressure you at all?”
He turned and looked at me. “No, you didn’t pressure me. It’s what I came here for. It’s just…knowing I’m getting closer to where my dad grew up and all. It’s…strange.”
“I imagine it is,” I said as I reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “But you’ve already made three friends.”
Beck looked at Bradly and Mackenzie and then back at me. “I have. Thank you, Avery, for helping me. Fate certainly brought us together for this.”
“I thought the same thing earlier. Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Bradly and Beck both carried my suitcases as Mackenzie and I walked up the steps to the ranch house I’d grown up in. It was so good to be home, and even better knowing I was here for good.
When I opened the door, I could hear music coming from the kitchen. When Bradly and Beck walked in, I turned to look at my brother. We both smiled.
“They’re dancing. That’s why they didn’t hear us pull up,” I said, as I looked between Beck and Mackenzie.
“Oh my gosh, how sweet is that!” Mackenzie sighed, her hand going over her heart.
“Just leave those there,” I said as I reached for Beck’s hand and guided him through the house and to the kitchen. Bradly and Mackenzie were right in front of us.
“This looks romantic,” Bradly said quietly as we walked in and saw our father dipping our mother, then kissing her.
They both jumped up. “You’re home!” they said in unison.
Letting go of Beck’s hand, I made my way over to them and hugged them both. They hadn’t even noticed Beck yet.
After greeting them both, I stepped back and said. “I met someone on the plane ride from Texas to Missoula.”
My mother glanced past me and saw Beck. She smiled.
When I looked at my father, he looked as if he’d seen a ghost.
“A friend?” Mom stated with raised brows.
Beck had been smiling nervously, but when he saw my father, his smile faltered some. Dad was staring at him in shock.
“Dad?”
He shook his head as if clearing some thoughts away. “I’m so sorry. It’s just…you look…” His words trailed off.
“Mom, Dad…this is Beck Dahlstrom.”
My mother quickly walked over to him. “It’s a pleasure to… My goodness,” she breathed. “You look exactly like…”
“Beck,” my father whispered.
Beck cleared his throat.
“I sat next to Beck on the plane, and he told me he was coming to Montana to find his father’s family.”
My dad slowly shook his head.
“What?” Mom said softly.
“Daddy. Beck is Uncle Beck’s son.”
Gasping, my mother covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh, sweetheart! You look exactly like your father!”
My own father took a few steps back and slowly sat down on one of the breakfast nook chairs. “My God. You’re the spitting image of him.”
Beck looked at my father, and something passed over his face, but it was gone so fast I couldn’t read what it was.
“I thought the best thing to do would be to bring him here. Dad, I’m hoping you can help Beck. He wants to meet his paternal family.”
Chapter Four
BECK
I wasn’t sure what to do. The way Avery’s father was staring at me caused me to sway on my feet. Bradly walked up to me and gently hit my back.
“I think they’re both just in shock,” he stated. “Give them a minute.”
Nodding, I cleared my throat. I wasn’t sure what to even say. “Should I come back at a different time?”