Chapter Thirty
Jamie
Jamie hadn’t expected Daddy Spencer to suggest ice cream after the blowout with Malcolm. His voice had been almost too calm. “I called ahead. They’re open. Want to go?”
Jamie nodded, even though his stomach was still twisted from the fight and learning Daddy Spencer was a billionaire.
He didn’t ask what Daddy Spencer wanted to talk about, but he had a feeling it wasn’t just about dessert.
When he’d told Nathan and Alfie he needed to speak with Jamie alone, Jamie’s heart sank.
A part of him feared Daddy Spencer was about to send him back to California with them.
Maybe things had gotten too messy. Maybe Daddy Spencer had changed his mind.
The drive into town was quiet, with snow dusting the windshield, the roads slick but manageable.
The ice cream shop was warm and cozy, a welcome contrast to the snowy streets outside.
Twinkling lights hung from the windows, and the scent of waffle cones and melted chocolate filled the air.
Jamie sat across from Daddy Spencer in a red vinyl booth, a chocolate sundae in front of them both, slowly melting under the heat of the room.
He stirred his absently, trying to quiet the nerves fluttering in his chest.
Daddy Spencer had brought him here to talk, and Jamie had spent the entire ride wondering if this was the moment he would tell him to go back to California. The thought made his stomach twist. He didn’t want to leave. Not the ranch. Not Daddy Spencer.
Just as he took a bite of his sundae, an older man approached their table. He wore a thick flannel jacket, and a weathered cowboy hat, his face lined with years of sun and wind. His eyes were sharp but kind, and he leaned on a cane that looked like it had seen a few winters too many.
He looked directly at Jamie. “Are you staying or leaving after the holidays?”
Jamie froze, spoon halfway to his mouth. The question felt like a spotlight.
Daddy Spencer didn’t miss a beat. “Staying. Jamie’s my boyfriend for life.”
Jamie’s heart thudded hard. He glanced at Daddy Spencer, who was calm, confident, like he’d just said something as ordinary as ordering dessert. But to Jamie, it felt like the world had shifted. Boyfriend for life. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The older man smiled, nodding slowly. “Welcome to Missoula, Jamie. Listen, I heard you were from California. Word travels fast around here.”
Daddy Spencer laughed. “It sure does, Jake.”
Jake turned to Jamie again, his gaze steady. “Spencer’s one of the best men in Montana. Kind, generous, brilliant. Hell of a singer too. I hope you love it here as much as we do.”
Jamie swallowed the lump in his throat. “I do,” he said. “I already do.”
Jake patted the edge of the table, gave them both a nod, and shuffled off toward the counter.
Jamie watched him go, heart still thudding. He hadn’t expected kindness from a stranger. He hadn’t expected Daddy Spencer to say what he did so easily. And he definitely hadn’t expected to feel this… seen.
As he took another bite of his sundae, the chocolate sweeter than before, Jamie realized something: maybe Montana was feeling like home.
Daddy Spencer stirred his sundae slowly, then looked up. “I need the truth, Jamie. Can you really see us living here? Would you be happy?”
Jamie was surprised by the directness. He set his spoon down. “I love Montana,” he said honestly. “I could be happy anywhere, even in a tent, as long as I’m with you. I’d miss California sometimes—the beach, the sun—but I love the ranch. I love the horses.”
Daddy Spencer nodded, but his eyes were distant.
“I’m torn,” he admitted. “As you heard, I’ve got enough money for a lifetime.
It was part of my inheritance from Grandpa.
But I’ve got buyers lined up for the ranch.
People who’d pay a fortune for the ranch.
But Malcolm—he’s one of them. And I hate him.
Always have. He hates horses, Jamie. Why would I sell to someone who doesn’t even respect what this place is? ”
Jamie leaned in. “Then don’t. If you want to move to California, hire people to manage the ranch. You can afford it, and it would mean you don’t have to give it up.”
Daddy Spencer sighed, rubbing his thumb along the edge of the table. “I want to make a solid decision. Either I’m in, or I’m moving.”
Jamie hesitated. His heart wanted to say yes, to commit fully. But his head was still spinning. “Maybe you need more time,” he whispered.
Daddy Spencer didn’t push. He just nodded, finished his sundae, and paid the bill.
On the way back, they stopped at the Catholic rectory. Daddy Spencer handed the priest a large check for the children in need. Jamie stood beside him, watching the exchange. The priest thanked him with tears in his eyes.
Jamie didn’t know what to make of it. Daddy Spencer had so much money, more than Jamie could wrap his head around, but you’d never know it by the way he acted. No flash, no ego. Just quiet generosity and kindness.
As they walked back to the truck, Jamie glanced at Daddy Spencer. He still didn’t know what decision Daddy Spencer would make. But he knew one thing for sure; whatever happened, he didn’t want to be far from him.
Jamie padded into the living room with Daddy Spencer, the warmth from the fireplace already making his cheeks feel flushed.
Nathan and Alfie were lounging near the tree, mugs of cocoa in hand, the scent of peppermint and pine hanging in the air.
Jamie plopped down beside Alfie on the rug, where a pile of wooden logs waited to be turned into something ambitious.
“Let’s build a cabin,” Alfie said, already stacking pieces like he had a blueprint in his head.
Jamie grinned and joined in, carefully placing logs to form walls and a slanted roof.
Both of them were sucking on candy canes—Jamie had already gone through two and was halfway through his third.
He glanced at Alfie, who was working on his second like it was a race.
Apparently, neither of them had much self-control when it came to peppermint.
Nathan leaned back in his chair, glancing over at Daddy Spencer. “You know, my oceanfront place at Beverly Hills Villa is still open. You could stay there if you ever decide to come back to California.”
Jamie’s ears perked up, but he kept his eyes on the cabin. The idea of Daddy Spencer leaving Montana made his stomach twist a little.
Daddy Spencer rubbed his jaw, thoughtful. “I’ll think about it.”
Before the silence could settle, Alfie piped up, still focused on the logs. “There’s a gigantic swimming pool too!”
Jamie laughed, nudging Alfie with his elbow. “You just want to cannonball off the diving board.”
Alfie smirked. “Obviously.”
Jamie kept building, but his mind wandered. Daddy Spencer hadn’t said yes. He hadn’t said no either. Jamie didn’t know what he was thinking, but he hoped—really hoped—that whatever decision he made, it would still include him.