36. Summer #3
“Sorry. Hi, everyone,” he says, clearing his throat.
“I wasn’t planning on saying anything tonight, but I guess I am.
” He looks over the audience, the familiar faces of folks his parents knew.
“My dad always hoped I’d take over this farm someday.
I had a good run in hockey, and I still love the game.
But I’ve learned there’s more than one way to live out a dream.
” He pulls out a horse figurine from his pocket.
“Found this in Dad’s desk drawer. Took me a long time to understand why he held on to a toy horse I gave him for Christmas.
But I think I understand now.” He turns it over in his fingers before looking back out at the room.
“I came back to Lucky Chance Ranch, determined to inherit the farm, then sell it. That was my plan. What I didn’t plan on was falling in love with this place.
” His eyes slide toward me. “Or with this woman.”
He takes my hand and squeezes it. “Before I came back, Summer told my mom that this town wasn’t big enough for both of us.
But we just needed to figure out how to work together instead of against each other.
” He pulls me half a step closer. “And we finally did—once I realized this is the life I want. Here, on Lucky Chance Ranch, with this woman.”
He sets the microphone down, turns toward me, and takes my face in his hands before kissing me in front of everyone. Everyone in the barn goes wild. It’s only when I kiss him back that I realize I’m crying.
By the time the last guests trickle out, the Chance brothers are sprawled across hay bales, their ties loose around their necks and their collars unbuttoned.
“Great party,” Wyatt says. “I’m flying out in the morning, but I’ll be back after football season ends.” He glances over to where Larissa is cleaning up her guitar. “Maybe even sooner.”
“So you’re saying we have to put up with you again in the near future?” Grady grumbles with a smirk.
“My presence should be considered a gift,” Wyatt says.
“Your ego might actually rival Hank Branford’s,” Jaxon notes.
“Nah,” Wyatt says with a smirk. “Hank’s got nothing on me.”
Grady holds up a hand. “Can we celebrate the fact that we pulled off an entire event with no disasters? The only person to walk out was Hank. We booked a half dozen dates for weddings. And these two—” He points between me and Jaxon.
“Stole the show and made engaged couples reach for their wallets as quickly as possible.” He crosses his arms, satisfied. “I’m calling that a win.”
“Speaking of wins,” Jaxon says, “Open house bookings plus the Keeneland money puts us current on the loan payment. We’re not out of the woods completely—still a long way to go before we’re solidly in the black, but we bought ourselves some time.”
Wyatt lets out a low whistle. Rhett raises his glass as Grady gives a nod of approval.
Jaxon turns to me, like he’s been sitting on news all night. “I went into town before the open house. Talked to James about Wildflower Weddings, with my brothers’ approval.”
“About what?” I ask.
“Making you part owner. Officially, now that we’re calling it a real business.” He takes my hand, linking our fingers together. “We can’t settle it all the way until the terms of the will are met, and that’s still two years out. But all my brothers verbally agreed today.”
I look between them, standing there like they didn’t just hand me the opportunity of a lifetime. “Are you sure?” My eyes fill with tears for the second time tonight.
“The vote was unanimous,” Jaxon says, glancing at his brothers.
“I…I don’t know what to say.” I shake my head. “It feels like too much. I haven’t even proven this thing can turn a profit yet.”
“You already have tonight,” Wyatt says. “You built a working business out of an unused barn. I think you’ve proven plenty.”
“It’s not charity, Summer,” Grady adds. “We consider this an investment. And we think you’re a sure thing.”
“And truthfully,” Rhett says, lifting a lazy brow. “It was either this or watch Jaxon try to give you the whole thing when we’re not here. We’re choosing the lesser disaster.”
I laugh, holding my fist to my mouth as I shoot Jaxon a look.
“So stop arguing with us,” Wyatt says with a smile. “And just say thank you like a normal person.”
Jaxon lifts his eyebrows at me, as if to say that’s the Chance brothers for you.
“Thank you,” I say, and mean it more than those two words can possibly express.
They say their goodnights soon after, leaving me and Jaxon alone in the barn, the lights still glowing overhead.
“You did an amazing job tonight,” he says, pulling me against him. “I hope you know that.”
“I do.” I tip my head back to look at him. “Thank you for what you said up there.”
“I meant it.”
“You’re sure?” I study him for a second. “You won’t wake up in six months resenting the farm and regretting going into business with me?”
“Not a chance.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, like he’s got all night for me. “I told you before, I already know what I want.” He kisses the tip of my nose.
“You know what?” I say, poking him lightly in the chest. “You’re a big, grumpy cowboy on the outside, but a total softie underneath.”
“Don’t tell anyone,” he says, nuzzling me.
“Your secret’s safe with me.” I kiss his cheek, then lean into him, looking up at the barn that began as a dream.
I think about how I started tonight, hoping for nothing more than an uneventful evening. Unremarkable, in the best way. Instead, I got a town that showed up to support me, a half share in my dream business, and a man who declared his love in front of an entire room of people.
So much for unremarkable.