Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
stetson
“I want another s’more, Uncle Stetson!”
“That’s up to your mama, baby girl,” I tell my seven-year-old niece, Stella, as she jumps up and down with excitement.
Stella runs to my sister, sitting across the fire from me, and begs her for another sweet treat. “Fine. But only one,” Abigail tells her, sending me a sharp look to make sure I understand.
All clear.
Stella rounds the fire quickly with a one-track mind—chocolate. “Whoa. Slow down,” I tell her, worried about the fire behind her. She settles to a stop, bouncing on her toes as I lay out the ingredients for her on a paper plate. “I’ve just got one very, very, super important question to ask you.”
Bright green eyes beam up at me, looking just like her mama. “I’m ready for it, Uncle Stetson,” she tells me, her smile contagious.
I curl my finger in, urging her to come closer, and whisper loud enough so only she can hear. “Hershey’s or Reese’s?”
“Easy peasy lemon squeezy,” Stella belts, making me chuckle. “Can’t have a s’more without peanut butter and chocolate!”
“That’s my girl.” I lean to the side to catch my sister and brother-in-law’s eyes. “I knew I raised her right.”
They shake their heads in laughter as I prepare Stella’s marshmallow for roasting. “She loves you so much, Stetson,” Abigail tells me, and my heart fucking bursts.
“She’s the best.” My eyes sweep the ranch, looking for Jensen, my twelve-year-old nephew, and find him just outside the horse stables, watching from afar. “He’s getting so big. Taller than us before you know it.”
“And he’s got the attitude to match. Fuck,” Kyle, my brother-in-law, states. “I don’t remember ever talking shit the way that boy does.”
Abigail is five years younger than me. She and Kyle have been together since college, deciding to have children later on in their marriage. It’s been encouraging to watch them prioritize each other, despite being married with young children.
Kyle is a good guy and one of my closest friends. He treats Abigail well and raises my niece and nephew with good morals.
That’s all I can ask for as a brother.
“Man, I remember making our parents work for it. Mom used to tell me not to corrupt Abbi, but there was no use in stopping that. The girl was more vicious than me.”
Abigail gasps. “I’ll have you know, I learned everything I know from you, big brother.” She furrows her brows. “Your example was less than stellar.”
“I have no idea what you're talking about…”
She tosses a graham cracker at me while Stella hands me her marshmallow to build her s’more. “You had girls crawling through your bedroom window at thirteen. Don’t play innocent with me, Stetson Rollins Cole.”
“Shit,” I exhale.
“She just called you out, bro,” Kyle contributes, falling into a fit of laughter.
“She sure did,” Abigail says, looking overly excited to roast her brother. “Good thing for me, I got it all out of my system before I met Kyle.” She reaches for Kyle’s hand, and he pulls it to his lips for a kiss.
“Let’s keep it PG, lovebirds. There’s children around,” I tease.
“You know…” Abigail draws out, and I’m smart enough to predict where this is going. “You could have this, too, if you opened yourself up a bit more.”
Yep. That’ll do it.
Our pops died ten years ago next month, Mom following him to the other side shortly after. To say their deaths were hard on me and Abigail would be an understatement.
They were a living, breathing example of what true love looks like. In the most real and raw form. My pops was not only dedicated to ranching but also adored my mom for everything she was. He never put anything before her, and that’s exactly the way it should be.
She came first, then us, then the ranch.
But fuck. Life without them? It feels cruel.
Every single day of my existence, I question whether I make them proud or not. Am I honoring their life in a way that they’d appreciate? That’s what matters to me.
Guess it doesn’t make anything easier when I’m doing it all on my own. Abigail has Kyle and the kids.
All I have is a successful ranch—which I’m eternally grateful for—a shit ton of animals, including Mustard, a healthy bank account, and an empty spot beside me on my king-sized bed every night.
Again, wealth means nothing without internal happiness.
You can’t buy a life partner, no matter how much easier that would be.
“You don’t think I’ve tried, Abbi? When women meet me, all they see is dollar signs. Not who I am. And I feel like a little bitch even saying that. I’m too old to hunt women down and exhaust myself searching for the right one.”
“Says who? God, Stet. You’ve got more game than any guy I know,” she says, turning toward Kyle and apologizing in laughter. “You have so much to offer. What happened with that Jules woman? She seemed…friendly.” The hesitation in her voice can’t be missed.
“Friendly?” I stare at her blankly. “You really want me to tell you what Jules was around for? Let’s just say, we started out wanting the same thing.”
“Then she got clingy and pushy,” Kyle mutters, attempting to understand my drift.
More like too materialistic to keep up with.
“Not gonna lie, I caught her snooping through the papers on your desk last week. I called her out for it and swear she went pale as a ghost,” Abigail informs. “I’ve never gotten good vibes from her. She wants one thing and one thing only.”
Fucking hell. I knew she was disingenuous, but shit. That’s low.
“I’ve met women like her. She’s a gold digger,” Kyle deadpans.
I sigh, hating that I even have to waste my energy on this conversation.
“I won’t lie and say that’s the first time she’s been caught, either.
Hence, why I’m trying to make it abundantly clear that we’re done.
I just can’t figure out why it’s so difficult to meet a decent woman.
I fucking hate it, but I’m determined to be picky.
I won’t compromise on finding a good woman just because I feel like my time is running out.
And I mean, actually good-hearted. Not just one who can suck cock like a champ. ”
I’ll have to be a more intentional judge of that.
“Ah!” Abigail wails. “My ears!”
I roll my eyes, and thankfully, she drops it before continuing.
“Okay, but seriously. You can’t expect to meet someone if you don’t put yourself out there.
” Kyle follows Stella to the playground I had built for the kids near the barn while my sister continues on with her lecture.
“I really hate that you don’t make more time to prioritize yourself.
You’re not just successful, Stetson. You love my kids like your own.
You’re a great man, and any woman who doesn’t see that…
well, she needs to be knocked upside the head with a heel. ”
“That may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Abbi.”
I’m fucking with her, but Abigail never gets deep.
“You better let it sink in, then.” She points her finger at me. “Maybe I should set you up with one of my friends. I’m sure I can find someone willing to date you.”
“Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence. You really do have such a way with your words.”
I watch as my sister grabs a marshmallow from the bag and pops it into her mouth. “Just let me set you up one time.”
Why does Cove instantly cross my mind?
Probably because she’s been the only thing on my mind since returning from Miami. Everything about her. That night was more than I could have ever asked for. I want a repeat.
She can’t do anything serious right now.
Her main focus is work and being there for her mom and family.
Not to mention the fact that she doesn’t trust men like me.
I can respect that. But I don’t have to like it.
Especially when I’m nothing like the men she’s referring to.
I work hard to be different. I tried to show her that.
Figures the only woman I want lives states away and plans to avoid commitment for the foreseeable future. I just know I want something long-lasting.
And it about killed me to think she almost pushed me away.
That still doesn’t mean I’m done trying.
“No,” I tell Abigail, just wanting her to drop it.
I’m not interested in meeting her friends. I have my own friends. I don’t need any more.
“Boo, you bore. No fun,” she whines. “You can’t be dateless to your fiftieth next month.”
“I can, and I will,” I groan. “And don’t fucking remind me. Whose idea was this, anyway?”
“Mine, of course. Well, with the help of Kyle and Clay. All your friends and family will be here to celebrate you. You just need to show up and look pretty.”
“Lovely,” I huff. “I guess this means you’re taking over my house for the day?”
“More like the week. Some of them are staying for the week up until the party, remember?”
I might remember Abigail mentioning something about planning out the week ahead. Since a lot of our family and friends live out of state or on the opposite side of Texas, it makes sense for them to make a more lengthy stay out of it.
And if there’s anything I’ve got plenty of on this ranch, it’s space.
“Right. Yes. I remember. I’ll have Clay make sure the guest barn and spare rooms are made up for visitors.”
Speaking of visitors… Before she starts rambling off plans, I ask, “Any word if he’s coming?”
He. I know I don’t need to clarify. Abigail knows. He’s done nothing to assure us he’s even alive. I don’t expect him to show up, but shit, there was a day we talked about turning fifty like it was a lifetime away. Those good ole days still matter.
The Cole family has always had a rule—once you’ve been accepted by us, meaning our family, you’re in for good. It would take something catastrophic to change that.
Kyle and Abigail share a look, it’s neither comforting nor concerning. “He RSVP’d, so as far as I know, yes. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he bailed. It would be good to see him, though.”