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)
“Oh, I forgot. I wanted to pack up.”
He regarded me in silence. “I saw Rachel. She looked like someone had kicked her cat. Luke is in a bear of a mood, and his horse is taking the brunt of it. They were galloping away at a breakneck speed toward the campsite. All I did was ask him how everything was. His response was rather, ah, surly.”
“What did he say?”
“That the project was almost done, and he was glad. He needed his ranch back.”
“He basically said the same thing to me.”
“What happened, Mouse?”
I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t with the lump in my throat.
“Did he hurt you?”
I shook my head. “No.” I sighed. “He didn’t mean to.”
“But you have feelings for him.”
I hung my head. “I tried not to.”
Dad lifted my chin, meeting my eyes. “You can’t help who you love, Mouse. I hate that he hurt you. I didn’t think he was that sort of man to play with someone’s emotions.”
I shook my head. “He didn’t.” I defended him. “We agreed on the rules.” I sniffed. “I just broke them.”
Dad smiled, shaking his head. He cupped my face. “There are no rules with love. That’s a hard lesson to learn, my girl.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I’m glad you’re coming home with us tomorrow. Maybe some time away will help him see what he’s giving up.”
I gripped his wrists. “Don’t be mad at him, Daddy. He’s been hurt. I think he’s scared.”
He smiled. “You haven’t called me daddy in a long time, Mouse. I missed that. I won’t punch him or challenge him to a gunfight at noon—as much as I would like to, at least the punch. You’re an adult, and you have to live your life the way you want it.” He tightened his grip on my face. “I want you to have what your mother and I have. That bond.”
“I know.”
“I watched him around you. I saw something. I saw how you looked at him. In fact, I thought you’d be telling me that I had a little bird leaving the nest and living a long way away from me. And as much as I would have hated that, I hate this more.”
“I’ll be fine.”
“Do you want to cancel tonight? We could leave soon and stop somewhere overnight.”
“No. Put this aside and enjoy tonight, Dad. Luke and his men have worked hard on it. People are looking forward to it.”
“I don’t care about Luke. I care about you.”
“Then do it for me. I want to see this through.”
He regarded me for a moment, then pulled me into his arms. “You are an amazing, brave woman, Mouse. Just like your mom.”
I clung to him, drawing strength from his embrace. I felt six years old again, seeking his comfort. He’d always made me feel safe, no matter what. And that hadn’t changed. He let me snuggle close for a few moments, then I drew back and wiped my eyes.
“I have to finish packing.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you to it.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
He brushed another kiss to my head. “Love you more, Mouse.”
I dreaded seeing Luke. I chose to ride up to the campsite in one of the ATVs. I was grateful it wasn’t in the same spot Luke had taken me before. This area was bigger, more open, and the water clear. Perfect for walking or even having a swim on the hot days, the current slow and easy, the middle deep enough to enjoy. Tents were set up, there were foldable seats, a huge campfire in the middle, and a couple of picnic tables they had brought up. Rachel, Jane, and Callie were busy with the food, the crew driving people up from the ranch, and Luke was nowhere to be seen. I went over to Rachel, lifting my eyebrow in a silent question.
“He’s getting kindling for later,” she explained. “They brought up some logs to split for firewood.”
“Ah.”
“Did you…” She let the words trail off as I gave her a rueful look.
“What an idiot,” she muttered.
“Not here and not tonight,” I replied. “This is to give everyone the chance to see how this will work when you have paying guests. Figure out what you need to change or adjust.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to step back, and you and Luke run it. I’ll make notes we can discuss in the morning before I leave.”
“You will come back, right? You won’t send someone else?”
“I’ll come back.” I rolled my shoulders as a sensation of awareness shot through me. “But it might be easier on Luke if I stayed elsewhere.”
“You can stay at the ranch,” Luke growled behind me. “We’re adults.”
I didn’t turn to face him. “So, as I said, I will observe tonight, and we’ll touch base tomorrow before I go.”
Rachel nodded, shooting daggers at Luke behind me. I laid my hand on her arm and shook my head slightly. She sighed in resignation. “Okay.”