CHAPTER SEVEN
“That was the best filet I’ve ever had.” Luna set her fork and knife on her plate, took a sip of water, and swiped her napkin over her mouth. “I’m assuming it’s from your ranch?”
“Yeah, but my dad likes to joke that it’s not my ranch until they’re both six feet under.” Boone grinned. “Clay Langston is sixty-three, and he’s a tough old bird who will probably outlive me. My mom, Evelyn, is the same age, and she’s no slouch either.”
“I don’t know anything about ranching, but it can’t be an easy life.” Lucas took a sip of his beer. He’d been nursing the same one since returning from their ride a few hours ago.
These guys all limited their alcohol intake, and Luna knew exactly why. Alcohol dulled the senses and slowed the body’s reaction time. They might be relaxed and having a good time, but they were always in alert mode because they never knew when they would need to jump into action.
“Like I was telling Luna earlier, it’s not easy, but it’s worth all of the literal blood, sweat, and tears.
” He set his napkin on his plate. “What my folks have accomplished is pretty amazing, actually. They started with less than a hundred head of cattle and about fifty acres of land. Dad scraped together enough money to buy a thirty-foot camper, moved it onto the land, and they lived in it for about three years, until they could build the house of their dreams. That was about the same time they adopted me. Over time, they bought up more land and livestock, and now it’s one of the most profitable cattle ranches in the territory. ”
The pride and affection in his voice whenever he spoke about his parents was so sweet to hear. She was certain they must feel the same way about him.
“How was it—having a mom, I mean?” Calliope was never one to mince words.
Her mom took off when she was about two. She only found out she had a half brother about eight months ago, when Boone called her out of the blue one night.
“Don’t get me wrong. My dad and granddad are incredible.
They taught me survival skills, how to shoot, hunt, all that fun stuff.
It was awesome. I loved growing up surrounded by nature.
” Calliope grew up in a swamp in southwest Florida.
Luna couldn’t even imagine such a thing.
“But I’m just curious what it was like to have a woman around when you were a kid. ”
“You were surrounded by snakes and gators, too, babe.” Lucas bumped his shoulder to hers.
He was so in tune with her that he noticed the hint of melancholy in her voice and wanted to lighten the mood.
“There was that, too.” She tilted her head and rested it on his shoulder.
Luna longed for what they had—a powerful connection with someone you trusted completely. The key word there being trust.
She glanced sideways at Boone.
Her head was solidly on board with the idea of trusting him. Convincing her heart was another thing altogether.
“My mom’s amazing.” He reached out and set his hand over his sister’s.
“She’s not too different than you—tough but fair.
And she and my dad never let a day go by without telling me they love me.
” He gave her hand a little squeeze and released it.
“They tried for a long time to get pregnant, but it just didn’t happen.
Then, after years of waiting for their turn, they found out about me and adopted me two weeks after I was born.
By then, they were both in their mid-thirties and had been married almost ten years. ”
“I’m so glad they found you,” Calliope said.
“And I’m glad I found you.” He smiled. “Oh, and when you’re ready, my folks would love to meet you and Lucas.”
“Seriously?” Calliope’s head lifted off her fiancé’s shoulder. “I would totally love that.”
“Great, we’ll make it happen.” Boone was so relaxed and comfortable with everyone.
The tender moment between a newfound brother and sister was so special to witness. Especially since Calliope was very particular about who she exposed her softer side to.
“Does their ranch have a name?” Luna was fascinated by everything about his childhood and wanted to know more. “The ones I’ve seen on TV all have a name, so I was just wondering.”
“It does. It’s called Wind River Ranch. Their land is bordered on one side by a mountain range, and the Wind River cuts through the center of the property.
” Boone slid his plate away and crossed his forearms on the table.
“It was a great way to grow up.” His voice softened, and he looked out across his own property.
“There’s nothing like sleeping out under the stars during a drive, on your own land, with a hundred head of cattle munching on grass fifty feet away. ”
Luna followed his gaze, and her breath was taken away by what she saw.
The sun had begun to inch its way down and peeked through the tall trees all along the high part of his land.
The pasture where Sassy and Patience lazily grazed was dappled with a bright reddish-gold color pouring through the trees at the top of the ridge.
Above that, in the higher, darker part of the sky, stars had begun to twinkle.
It was beautiful and unlike any sunset Luna had ever witnessed.
The sound of Hawk’s voice pulled her from the view.
“I agree about sleeping under the stars.” Hawk grew up on the Blackfeet Nation reservation in western Montana, not far from where The Farm was located. “I’m happiest when I’m outside and am lucky my girl feels the same way.”
He put his arm around Charlotte and pulled her close.
“I love camping. We even got engaged during a camping trip.” Charlotte and Hawk gave each other a loving look. “It was the most perfect engagement ever. Hawk got down on one knee by this beautiful river where he and his granddad used to camp and fish when he was a little boy learning how to track.”
“It was great being included in that.” Calliope nudged Hawk with her elbow. “You done good, dude.”
She and Lucas had gone with them on the camping trip and had been just as surprised by the engagement as Charlotte.
“I’ve never camped before, but I’m willing to give it a try.” Marigold turned to Viking. “I assume you’ve camped before.”
“I have, and, if you really want to try it, I’ll happily take you,” he said.
“Sweet!” She snuggled into his side, and his very long arm automatically went around her.
Luna felt like the odd man out. She’d never camped a day in her life, had never slept under the stars, and wasn’t sure she ever wanted to. Spiders and snakes? No, thank you.
“Luna, do you like to camp?” Boone asked.
Shoot! He just had to ask, didn’t he?
Would he think less of her if she said no?
They were all super into the outdoors and might think she was a priss or something.
It was bad enough they were all so much more skilled and physically fit than her.
Not that Luna was a complete slug or anything; she could just never keep up with all of them.
Her talents were in other areas, like computers and inventing things.
“I don’t know. I’ve never camped before.” She opted for honesty, leaving out the part about the spiders and snakes. “The opportunity never really presented itself.”
She was pretty sure being kidnapped and kept at an isolated, guarded compound in the mountains of Montana didn’t count.
“You should try it.” Charlotte snapped her fingers. “I know!” She looked around at everyone, excitement on her face. “We could all go together.”
Luna started to speak. “I … um …”
“Luna, can you help me in the kitchen for a few minutes?” Boone, bless his heart, rescued her from having to respond.
“Sure.” She swung her legs over the picnic table bench and stood.
“Who wants some homemade ice cream?” He started stacking everyone’s plates to carry inside. “I have vanilla and chocolate.”
They all shouted out their preference, and Charlotte made a mental note of their choices.
“Viking, can you do me a favor and get the fire started? I figured we could chill over there.” He pointed toward an iron ring filled with cut-up logs and surrounded by comfy lawn chairs.
“Sure thing.” He kissed Marigold on the cheek, hopped up, and grabbed the lighter from where it sat next to the built-in barbecue grill and outdoor griddle.
Luna and Boone headed inside, and everyone else grabbed their drinks and headed toward the lower part of the property, where he’d dug out a firepit.
“Thanks for saving me back there.” Luna walked alongside him.
“No problem.” He leaned down to talk closer to her ear. “But if you decide you want to give it a try, let me know.”
Her mind instantly went to all of the carnal possibilities for what give it a try could possibly mean.
He’s talking about camping, you twit. The internal reminder did nothing to quell the sensual images floating through her mind.
Her gaze dropped to his tight butt as he jogged ahead of her up the steps. He effortlessly shifted the plates to one hand, and the spring on the screen door announced their entrance when he swung it open.
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I miss that sound.” She glanced down at the long spring, then followed him inside. “I love having my independence, but hearing that has me missing Dawn a little.”
“You guys must be pretty close.” Boone set the stack of dishes in the kitchen sink, turned to lean back against the edge of the counter, and crossed his arms.
“We are, but I sure didn’t make it easy for her.” Luna was always ashamed when she thought back to the way she treated her sister. “I’m embarrassed when I think back on those years and how I didn’t always treat her with the respect she deserved.”
Luna could blame her behavior on immaturity, but that felt like a cop-out.
“Like I said before, you were just a kid, Luna.” Boone slid open a drawer and grabbed an ice cream scoop, then opened another one to lift out a handful of spoons. He reached into a cabinet and pulled out enough bowls for everyone. “Dawn was a kid once, too. I’m sure she understands.”
“It’s just that—” Ugh, was she really going to talk about this now?
“Just that what?” He set everything on the counter and gave her his full attention.
She blew out a long breath.
“Our parents died when Dawn was eighteen and I was ten. My mom died first, then our dad drank himself to death shortly after that.” She strolled over to the small kitchen table, pulled out a chair, and sat. “Poor Dawn, she pretty much never had a childhood because she was always looking after me.”
“Oh, man, losing them must’ve been rough for both of you.” Boone dragged out the chair next to her and sat.
“I cried for days. A little bit for our mom and dad but mostly because I was terrified the state would take me away from Dawn.” She’d had nightmares about being dragged away by strangers and never seeing her sister—the only family she had left—ever again.
“I was so afraid they would sneak into my room and take me that she would lie down with me every night until I fell asleep. She would bring her big medical books into the bedroom and lie next to me, using a book light to study.”
Boone reached out and rubbed his hand up and down her arm, offering silent comfort.
Luna shook off the memory and drew back her shoulders.
“But my big sister was so brave. She went up against the system, telling them that she was the only family I had left and that it would be devastating and wrong to separate us.” Luna had never felt more loved than when she watched her sister stand in front of a judge and fight for them.
“I can tell you love and admire her.” Sadly, he moved his hand and rested his arm on the table.
“I really do.” She’d saved her life, first by taking care of her when their irresponsible parents didn’t, and again when she’d made the stupid decision to meet with Enoch.
“I guess we’d better get that ice cream out there before there’s a revolt.” Boone stood, pushed the chair up to the table, and walked over to open the freezer drawer. “I’ll just take out both containers.”
He reached inside, lifted out two sealed, plastic containers, and set them on the counter. He pushed the freezer drawer shut with his knee, walked back over to her in that easy way of his, leaned down, and with his face inches from hers, said, “I’m so glad you’ve begun to trust me a little.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but he spoke first.
“I know there’s still a piece of you right here that you’re still protecting.
” He pointed toward her chest, where her heart was.
“And I completely understand that. But something you should know about me, Luna—I’m a very patient man.
I have no problem waiting until you’re ready to trust me with all of you.
” He winked and straightened to his full height.
“Why don’t we pack this stuff up and let’s go have some ice cream. ”
She wasn’t sure what to say in response to his declaration, so she pushed up from the chair and slid it back up to the table.
They loaded everything into a big wicker basket and headed out to be with their friends.
Boone’s words swirled around in her head the whole way to the firepit.
“I have no problem waiting until you’re ready to trust me with all of you.”