Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
brADY
“ W here are my girls?” The townhouse is still as I push inside and then drop my bag on the floor by the front door. I had to stay the night in Oregon last night, rather than heading right back home, but it’s Saturday morning, and they should be here.
So much has happened in the past month since everything came to a head with Janet, and Abbi’s past was finally put to rest.
The man who attacked Abbi in the condo all those months ago is officially back in federal prison, where he belongs. He won’t have the possibility of hurting another woman for more than twenty years, and Ryan made sure that the father wouldn’t be able to pay off another judge.
Rancher Jeans was sued by Wild Industries, and they settled out of court for two million dollars, and, in exchange, they got to keep the commercial. Every dime from that settlement went into a trust for Daisy.
I’m back to riding and don’t actually feel too bad. I’ll get through the rest of the season, and then I’ll propose to Abbi. I need to officially close that other door before I can ask her to take that last step with me.
But our house is framed in and should be finished by spring.
Now, I just need to see my girls.
“Ladies?” I call out, but the house is quiet.
There’s no one here.
My gut tightens, and I pull out my phone, dialing Abbi’s number. She answers on the third ring.
“Hello?”
“Where are you guys?”
“We’re at the ranch. Wait, where are you ?”
I shake my head and walk back out, headed for my 4Runner. “I’m at home, Blue Eyes.”
“Well, shit, I wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours.”
“Swear jar,” I hear Daisy say, and it makes me grin.
I’ve already pulled out of the driveway and am headed to the ranch when I say, “Are you at the farmhouse?”
“Huh? Oh, no. We’re at our house. There’s no crew today because it’s Sunday, so Daisy and I brought a picnic breakfast up here.”
My heart stalls in my chest. Just when I think I can’t love her any more than I already do…
“Baby, you’re having breakfast at the new house?”
“Yeah. We love it here, Cowboy. Hurry up and join us. There’s plenty to go around.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
It actually takes me nine minutes to pull up to a stop in front of the house. The driveway has been built already, so it’s easier to get out here than it used to be.
The house is just a frame, but my girls don’t mind. Abbi has spread a blanket on the ground about twenty yards from the house, and there’s a big basket open beside her. It looks like they’re eating bagels and cream cheese.
“Daddy!” Daisy jumps up and runs to me, launching herself into my arms. “You’re finally home.”
“Yeah, I am.” I kiss her sweet cheek. God, I love her. Since that day a month ago, Daisy has called me Daddy.
And I’ll never tell her to call me anything else.
“Hey,” Abbi says with a sweet grin as she stands to greet me. “I’m sorry we didn’t wait for you.”
“I’m just happy you were still here.” I set Daisy down, kick off my boots, and join them on the blanket. Abbi pours me some juice and passes me half of her bagel, and then the three of us chew while looking out at the mountains. At the land. The cows and the red barn off in the distance. I plan to see this exact view, every day, for the rest of my life, with Abbi by my side.
I glance her way and find her smiling at me.
“What?”
“You look so good out here. Such a cowboy, right at home on his ranch.”
“I look good here because you’re with me. Both of you. You’re my home.”
Daisy smiles and reaches over to pat my arm.
“When can we sleep here?” she asks me.
“Not for a long time. Probably next spring. But we can come out here whenever we want to.”
“Okay.” She shrugs a shoulder and eats her last bite of bagel. “Where will we put my cows?”
“One cow,” Abbi says, but I just chuckle.
This girl can have all the damn cows she wants.
“We’ll build a small barn with a fenced-in pasture over there.” I point to the south. “They’ll live there.”
“That’s right by our house!” Daisy is obviously happy with this plan. “Can I have chickens?”
“Sure.”
“ Brady. ”
I look up at Abbi. “What? She can have whatever she wants. Do you want a cow?”
“No.” She frowns. “But maybe…”
“Maybe what?”
“Maybe a horse of my own.”
I tug her to me and nuzzle her ear. “Anything you want, baby. You can have anything you want.”