Chapter 26
Guilty As Charged
Birdie and I have been at the hospital since her mom was admitted this morning.
Aside from a quick trip to the cafeteria for lunch and stepping outside for a work call, the sheriff hasn’t left his wife’s side.
It gives me hope that he’s capable of changing and putting his family first, like he should have from the beginning.
The doctor came by early this afternoon to check on Elizabeth and confirmed that, as long as her pneumonia continues to respond well to treatment, she’ll likely be discharged in a few days.
The hospital staff has already given Birdie and her dad permission to stay overnight, so I’m heading to Birdie’s place to grab her a change of clothes and feed the animals.
When I reach my truck, I hop into the cab and check my phone.
Even though Birdie sent everyone an update this morning, I still have dozens of missed calls and texts from my family, checking in to see how things are going.
I had turned it off earlier to avoid causing a distraction.
I’m happy to provide them with an update on Birdie’s mom, but I won’t share her Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Birdie will have to share when she’s ready.
First, I shoot a quick message to Ma letting her know everything’s okay and that I’ll call with more details later. Then I reply to Briar.
Briar: Please tell me Birdie’s mom is all right.
Walker: The doctor said she should be able to go home within a few days if the pneumonia clears up.
Briar: That’s a relief. I’ll loop in Charlie and Wren.
Walker: Thanks. I’m sure Birdie will appreciate that.
Briar: How are you holding up?
Walker: I’m fine. Just here for whatever she needs.
Briar: She’s lucky to have you.
Walker: I’m the lucky one.
I set my phone on the dash, start the engine, and pull out of the parking lot. No doubt when I get to Birdie’s, I’ll be greeted by a yard full of hangry animals eager to complain about having to wait all day for their next meal.
On my way, I replay the events of this morning. After Birdie overheard her dad and me talking, there was a gut-punching instant when I thought I’d lost her—just as a life together finally felt within reach.
Yet instead of the anger and frustration I expected, she met me with nothing but grace. In hindsight, I should’ve told her the truth sooner, her father’s wishes be damned, but I can’t change the past. All I can do is focus on the future. One where we’re together and I earn back her trust.
Whatever comes next, Birdie will have me by her side through every high and low—celebrating her successes as if they were my own, wiping away her tears, and building a life together filled with laughter, joy, and endless happiness.
When I finally pull up to her house, I’m not expecting to find Heath’s truck parked out front. He’d called earlier, and I planned to check in once I got the animals taken care of, but it appears he might have beat me to it.
He’s sitting on the edge of the porch, attempting to feed Logan.
The little menace is swatting the bottle away and hissing like Heath has personally offended him.
Nugget stands close by, clucking in warning, clearly suspicious of the burly cowboy manhandling one of her babies.
Meanwhile, Rory is draped over Heath’s other thigh, fast asleep. Nothing fazes that one.
“Hey there, brother. The ranch not keeping you busy enough?” I smirk.
Heath never takes time away, not even when he’s sick, so I’m beyond shocked to find him here.
He glances up, grunting as he adjusts the bottle in Logan’s mouth.
“Figured you and Birdie would be at the hospital all day and could use someone stopping by to take care of the animals. I’ve already made the rounds and am just finishing up by feeding this little troublemaker.
” He nods at Logan, who’s finally settled down long enough to guzzle some milk.
I lower myself to the porch beside him. “How’d you get inside?”
Birdie locked up the house when we left and gave me the key before I left the hospital.
“Briar was tied up picking up Caleb from summer camp, so I had to call and ask Charlie if there was a spare key hidden somewhere. That stubborn woman wouldn’t tell me where the damn thing was until I admitted that Peaches likes her more—which, obviously, isn’t true,” he mutters with a wry grimace.
“You’ve got to give Charlie credit—she got you good, considering you went along with it,” I taunt him.
Heath shoots me a playful glare. “Maybe, but she won’t be so smug the next time she asks me for a favor, and I make her work for it.”
Nugget waddles over, ruffling her feathers before settling beside me to bask in the sun. I run a hand over her back, and she closes an eye, clucking softly. Apparently, she’s decided Heath can be trusted with the kittens without her supervision.
“Well, I appreciate you coming out to help. You didn’t have to do that.”
Heath raises a brow. “Hell yeah I did. Birdie’s your woman, which makes her part of our family. That means taking care of her animals when you’re tied up handling emergencies.”
I gape at him. “Who are you and what have you done with my grumpy-ass brother?”
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t be so melodramatic. It’s not that big a deal.”
“Heath, the only time you ever leave the ranch is for supplies or a late-night drink at the bar.” I motion to Logan, who’s back to swatting the bottle in his hand. “The last place I’d ever expect you to be is on Birdie’s property cuddling with kittens, yet here we are.”
“I don’t mind the kittens.” He nods to Logan. “I’ve just been thinking it’s time for some changes around the ranch.”
I reach over to rest my palm over his forehead. “Seriously, are you sick?”
He grumbles, and bats my hand away. “Will you cut that shit out? There’s nothing wrong with me.
I’m not doing anything drastic like retiring or shutting down the ranch.
Just considering bringing on a foreman to handle things when I’m not around.
With the business growing so fast and you splitting your time between the ranch and the sheriff’s office, I could use the backup. ”
My mouth falls open in shock as I process what he’s said before replying.
“You want to hire a foreman? I thought you hated the idea.”
The last time I brought it up was two years ago, and Heath had flat-out refused, insisting we could handle the ranch on our own. After my conversation with Birdie, I planned to revisit the idea soon, but I never expected Heath to raise it himself.
“I changed my mind. After our talk the other day, I realized I’ve been too hard on you, especially when it comes to you being deputy,” he admits, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I won’t lie, I was bitter when you first started volunteering.
It felt like you abandoned your responsibilities, and I struggled to understand why it was important to you.
However, I’ve seen the positive impact you’ve made over the years and how much you’ve enjoyed it. ”
“What makes you think that?”
He sets Logan on the porch, and he immediately bounds over to snuggle next to Nugget. Heath then turns his attention back to me.
“After every shift, you have the same contented expression I get after a long day in the fields—exhausted but proud of the work done. I’m bringing on a foreman so you have the freedom to choose your own future, whether that’s becoming a full-time deputy or doing something else.
You deserve the same choice that Dad gave me, and I’ll support whatever decision you make. ”
I meet his sincere gaze. “You mean that?”
I may not have any concrete plans yet, but knowing he’s in my corner no matter what I choose lifts a weight I’ve carried for years.
Heath claps me on the back, shooting me a pointed look. “Damn straight I do, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for helping out on nights and weekends during the busy season.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “There’s the Heath I know. Don’t worry. I love the ranch, and even if I do change careers, I’ll still pitch in whenever I can.”
“Looks like I couldn’t get rid of you even if I tried.” He winks, his expression softening after a few seconds. “Now tell me, how’s Birdie’s mom holding up?”
“She should recover from the pneumonia, but she’s been dealing with other health problems for over a decade.”
“Damn, I’m sorry to hear that,” Heath replies, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “I can’t imagine what Birdie and her family have been going through, but whatever it is, I’m glad she’s got you by her side to help her through.”
“Yes, she does,” I state. “There’s something else I need to tell you, but it has to stay between us—especially from Ma. It would destroy her if she found out.”
Heath cocks his head, sending me a sidelong glance. “Are you about to admit to committing highway robbery or pulling off a bank heist? Because I’m not prepared to hide a fugitive, even if it’s my brother.” He laughs lightly at the thought.
“It’s nothing likely to land me on the wrong side of the law, unfortunately.
” Unless we’re counting tampering with evidence.
“Birdie and I were faking our relationship to start—well, she was. She’d never dated anyone before and asked me to teach her.
I’d wanted her for so long that I suggested we tell everyone we were together so I could keep her close. ”
Heath lets out a low whistle. “Damn, I figured you’d make a move eventually but didn’t think you had it in you to fake a whole damn relationship to pull it off.
I’m impressed. You were clearly hooked when you kept going to the feed store every week, loading up on hundreds of dollars of supplies we didn’t really need just so you could steal a few minutes alone with her. ”
“Guilty as charged—and I’d do it all again to end up here.”
He studies me, amusement dancing in his eyes as he strokes Rory, who’s just stirring awake.
“I take it that means your relationship is legit now?” he asks.
“Yep, Birdie’s finally mine,” I declare.
I can’t stop grinning like a fool, thrilled to stake my claim openly.
Nothing has ever felt so right. At this moment it hits me how deep my feelings for her run.
I think a part of me has always loved her, and now she holds my whole heart and soul in the palm of her hand.
More than ever, it’s clear there’s no future I want that doesn’t include her at my side.
However, I keep my thoughts to myself for now, wanting Birdie to be the first to hear me say the three little words that convey everything I feel for her.
Heath leans back, smiling at me. “I’m really happy for you, Brother.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
It’s a relief knowing that I have Heath’s full support in not only building a career for myself but, most importantly, a life with Birdie.