Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
ERIN
“ W e’re home!” Holly comes running into the kitchen through the mudroom, and I hold up my hand.
“Wait. Go take those boots off in the mudroom, please. All of you, take your boots off.”
“They’re not that dirty,” Holly mutters as she walks back to the mudroom. When she’s taken them off, she comes running back in her socks. “We said yes !”
“You said yes to what?” I ask as she throws her little arms around my waist and hugs me close.
“I didn’t think they’d run right in and spill the beans,” Rem says from the doorway. He’s also sockless and has a pained look on his face.
“Yeah, Holly, you were supposed to keep your mouth shut so Dad could be romantic,” Johnny says, shaking his head.
“It’s too exciting,” Holly replies. “Tell her, Dad.”
“Someone tell me something. ”
Remington laughs and walks to us, then disentangles Holly from me, kisses her cheek, and sets her on a stool at the island.
“I asked the kids if they’d be okay with you and I…uh, you know…were together. ”
“He wants you to be his girlfriend,” Holly announces with glee, which makes Remington cringe.
“Really?” I can’t help but grin up at him and step just a little closer. “Is that true, Grumpy?”
The kids both snicker at the nickname, and Remington nods slowly, smiling down at me.
“Yeah, Doc. It’s true. What do you think?”
“I think I’m in.”
He cups my face and leans in to kiss me softly, almost chastely. Johnny makes a gagging noise, making us laugh.
“I know you have to do that, but in front of us? Really?”
Rem’s eyes don’t leave mine. “Get used to it, kiddo.”
My family arrives today, and I have zero chill.
After I took the kids to school, I kept myself busy by doing some laundry and cleaning the kitchen. Then I sorted through my bathroom stuff and purged all the creams and salves and fancy potions that I don’t use and set them aside to donate.
I’m just about to go out of my mind with anticipation when my phone finally rings.
“Hey, baby doll,” Mom says. “We’re here!”
“Oh, my God, I’m so happy. Where, exactly, are you?”
“At the condo, getting settled in. This town is adorable . I can definitely see why you love it so much.”
“You guys stay there,” I reply as I sling my crossbody handbag over my head and grab the keys to my car out of the bowl on my dresser, along with a few peppermints. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” she promises me. “I can’t wait for you to get here.”
“On my way.”
I hurry out to my car and start it, then pause. Depending on how long I’ll be, I might not have time to come out to the ranch and switch cars to get the kids, so I turn off the engine and hurry over to the Suburban.
Before I pull out, I shoot Remington a quick text.
Me: I’m going to the condo to see my family. They just got here! Don’t worry, I’ll still get the kids from school.
I send off that message and then pull through the gate and onto the highway.
I went to Seattle a few months ago for Drew and London’s engagement party, but other than that quick trip, I haven’t seen my family since late last year. I saw my dad for a couple of hours recently, but that doesn’t really count.
I drive through Bitterroot Valley and make my way to the ski village, where the condo is. There’s a code there to get through the gate, and then I park in visitor parking.
When I knock on the door, it’s opened wide, and my mom immediately tackle hugs me.
“My baby,” she says, holding on tight. God, she smells good. Do all moms smell like home? Because that’s what she smells like. She kisses my cheek and then pulls back to look at me. “You look… great .”
“Thanks.”
Zoey and Dad both take turns hugging me, as well, and we end up in the kitchen, as usual, where it looks like someone already delivered some groceries.
“Your father was hungry when we landed,” Mom explains as she sets out crackers, cheese, and fruit.
“Of course, he was,” I reply and smile at my dad. “He’s always hungry. But I’m a little hungry, too. I need to take you to the BBQ place in town. In fact, that’s where we should have dinner tonight.”
“That sounds good,” Mom says, and once everything is spread out on the counter for us to pick at, she sighs and stares out the floor-to-ceiling windows to the mountain beyond. “It’s just flat-out gorgeous here. I can picture it in my head, what it’ll look like all snowy and pretty.”
“It’s seriously great in the winter,” I agree. “But it’s cold. Like, cold. ”
“We’ll have to come in the winter,” Mom decides. “And this condo ! London told me it was fancy and more than comfortable, and she was right. This place looks like it should be in a magazine.”
I’ve always loved how my mom gets excited about beautiful things, as if she and my dad couldn’t buy one of these for themselves.
It probably stems from where she came from. Mom was a foster kid and was dirt poor. She definitely doesn’t take anything about her life with Dad for granted.
“I’m gonna try out that huge tub in my bathroom tonight,” Zoey announces as she reaches for a grape. “It’s insane. ”
“Tomorrow, I’ll show you all of Bitterroot Valley, and, if you’re up for it, Remington’s mom would like to have you all out at the ranch for dinner. The whole family will be there. I think you’ll like them.”
“I totally want to see your ranch,” Zoey replies. “And maybe a cute cowboy. It’s a yes for me.”
“Same,” Mom echoes, just as there’s a knock at the door. “Minus the cute cowboys, of course. I can’t wait to see the ranch.”
Dad saunters over and opens the door, and there’s…Remington. Standing tall and hot in the doorway.
And he doesn’t look happy.
“Hey, what’s wrong? And how did you know where the condo is?”
“He called me before you got here,” Dad says. “I told him where to find us.”
“You drove off by yourself ,” Remington says. “You’re supposed to take Bruiser with you, or me.”
“I was just coming to see my family,” I reply with a frown. “I made no stops; I just came here.”
“We have an understanding,” Remington insists, and I notice my mom’s face go all gooey and starry-eyed.
“I like you. Bring it in.” Mom walks around the island to hug Remington. “I see why she calls you Grumpy, but I like you. Thanks for looking out for our girl.”
“Rem.” I take a deep breath, trying to keep my temper down. “I appreciate the caution, but it’s my family. I knew I was going to be here until I had to get the kids, and Bruiser doesn’t want to just hang here while we talk and joke around. That’s a waste of his time.”
“I’m Bruiser’s boss, and I decide what’s a waste of his time,” Remington counters, and my dad smiles.
Smiles.
“I see that you’re enjoying this.”
“Hey, I’m on his side. The most important thing is keeping you safe.”
“I’m safe ,” I mutter and grab a cracker. “I was excited to get here and see them, and it didn’t occur to me that it wouldn’t be okay to do that.”
“Under literally any other circumstances, it’s perfectly okay to do that,” Remington says.
“He’s kind of hot,” Zoey whispers, loud enough for all of us to hear, and Remington’s mouth tips up in a smile. “Just saying.”
“I’m sorry for making you worry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to do that.”
Mom smiles up at Rem. “Your town is beautiful.”
“Yeah,” he says with a nod. “It is. Did Erin mention that my mom would like to invite you all out to the ranch for dinner tomorrow?”
“She did, and we would love to accept that thoughtful invitation,” Mom replies.
“My brothers might make fools of themselves,” Remington warns them. “They’re fans.”
“I’m not worried. There’ll be plenty to talk about, then,” Dad replies with a shrug. “Does that mean that you’re not a fan?”
“No, I am. I just don’t make a fool of myself.” Remington shrugs and smiles at my dad, and that makes everyone laugh, putting us all at ease. “You stay with your family,” Rem tells me. “I’ll get the kids from school. Let me know when you’re on your way home, please. Since you’ll be riding alone, I want to make sure you arrive safely.”
“Ten-four, good buddy.” I offer him a salute, and I’m pleased when that makes him grin. “I’m sorry you worried. I’ll walk you out.”
“See you tomorrow,” Dad says with a wave as Remington and I walk out the door and down to his Jeep.
“Thanks for grabbing the kids,” I say when we reach the Jeep. “I appreciate it.”
“It’s no problem. I want you to have a blast with your family while they’re here. Take tomorrow off, too.”
“Oh, you don’t have to?—”
“I can handle it,” he interrupts and cups my cheek in his palm. “Don’t worry about us. You’ve more than earned some time with your family.”
His eyes, those gorgeous hazel eyes, are soft and kind and not grumpy at all, and it makes me swoon hard.
“Thank you.” I boost myself up on my toes and give him a quick peck on the lips. “You’re the best boss ever.”
He smirks. “Do you always kiss your bosses?”
“You know, I think you’re the first one, actually.”
His smile spreads. “That’s good to know. Now I’m going to kiss you , but not as your boss.”
I raise my brow. “No?”
“No.” He lowers his lips, and I’m immediately swept away by him, absorbed in how he can make my knees weak and my breath catch, with just the touch of his lips. “Have fun. Keep me posted.”
“Will do.” I lick my lips, still tasting him there. “What time should we come to the ranch tomorrow?”
“Whenever you want. We can give them a tour before dinner.”
“Oooh, I want a tour, too. I still haven’t seen as much as I’d like.”
Remington frowns down at me. “You haven’t?”
“No.”
“We’ll fix that.” He winks and climbs into the Jeep. “See you later.”
Remington watches me, obviously waiting for me to go back inside before he takes off, so I turn and head back to the condo. Now that I have time to spare today, I can show off my new town earlier than planned.
I’m so happy that my family is here.
“That’s a lot of cattle,” Dad says when we’re driving back toward the farmhouse. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many cows in one place.”
“We’re a mid-sized ranch,” Rem says. “Some have a lot more than that. But we’re one of the biggest in Montana.”
There’s a lot of pride in his voice. And there should be. The Wild River Ranch is not just beautiful, it’s profitable.
From what I’ve learned from Joy, not all ranchers can say the same.
“I’m officially starving,” Zoey says from the back seat.
“Good, because I’m quite sure that my mom made enough food for an army.”
When we arrive at the farmhouse, I’m not surprised to see that everyone has already arrived for dinner. And when we go inside, we’re welcomed like old friends who haven’t seen each other in a long, long time.
“Wow, it’s really nice to meet you,” Chase says as he shakes my dad’s hand. “I’ve been a fan of yours forever.”
“We all have,” Ryan puts in.
“Especially Ryan,” Brady adds. “He bid on, and won, your Super Bowl jersey.”
Dad’s eyebrows climb into his hairline in surprise. “ You’re the idiot that paid a million dollars for that?”
“What?” Joy gasps, and if she were wearing pearls, she’d be clutching them at her son’s admission.
“I’m that idiot,” Ryan confirms with a rueful smile. “It’s framed in my office.”
The Wild men are not only sexy, they’re funny as hell.
“Okay, you can stop fawning over the poor man,” Joy says, shaking her head. “Dinner’s ready, and you all look hungry after spending the afternoon in the spring air.”
“You have a gorgeous ranch,” Mom says. “How do you ever get anything done? I’d spend all day, every day, staring at those mountains.”
“Well, the good thing about mountains is, they’re still there when I’ve finished whatever it is that I need to do.” Joy smiles and loops her arm through my mom’s as they set off toward the dining room. “Now, Meg, I want to know everything there is to know about life in Seattle.”
I smile over at Remington, but he doesn’t smile back.
In fact, he’s not even looking my way.
I follow his gaze and blink in surprise because Brady is totally hitting on my baby sister.
“Oh, that’s not true,” Zoey says with a giggle and lays her hand on Brady’s biceps.
I glance over at my dad, whose eyes have just narrowed.
“Come on.” I gesture for everyone to follow me. “We’d better get in there before all the food’s gone.”
I hang back and wait for Zoey.
“Do not tell me that you’re going to start something with Brady while you’re here.”
“Nah,” she says. “He’s cute and nice, but mostly, I just like watching the vein in Dad’s temple throb at the sight of me flirting with him.”
I can’t help the bark of laughter that comes at that. Leave it to Zoey to try to give our overprotective father a heart attack.
“I like the security measures you’ve added to the ranch,” Dad says once we’re all seated and have dug into our plates. “You’ve gone above and beyond, and I appreciate it.”
“We take the safety of those we care about seriously,” John replies and then smiles over at me. “And we care about Erin. Besides, it was time to beef up security around here.”
“We have a pretty new gate,” Holly announces with a sweet smile. “To keep the bad guys away and our cows safe.”
“That’s right,” I reply and wink at her. “It is a pretty gate, isn’t it?”
“I like it,” she says with a nod and then nibbles on some fried chicken.
“Your kids are adorable,” Mom says to Remington. “Johnny, how can you possibly eat all that chicken while missing so many teeth?”
“I lost another one this morning,” Johnny replies with satisfaction. “They’re dropping like flies. And the tooth fairy brings me five bucks every time. It’s not a bad way to make a living.”
The entire table busts up laughing at that, and Johnny smiles big, showing off his empty mouth.
“Millie,” Zoey says, “I really love your dress.”
“Oh, thanks,” Millie replies. “I found it at Polly’s place downtown.”
“I love that shop,” Mom and Zoey reply at once.
“I bought a bunch of stuff there today,” Zoey adds.
“We had a lot of fun in there,” Mom agrees.
“You mean I bought a lot of stuff in there today,” Dad says with a scowl. “My girls are trying to break me.”
“Oh, whatever, Dad.” I smirk across the table at him. “Besides, you kept adding more things to the pile yourself. ‘ Megan, you’d look great in this. Zoey, this has your name written all over it. Erin, you can’t live without this.’ You’re the enabler in the family.”
“Guilty,” Dad says with a shrug. “I like to spoil my girls.”
“As it should be.” Joy looks so happy, with everyone gathered around the table, eating the delicious food she spent all day preparing.
“Joy, you really outdid yourself today. This is delicious.” I reach for more green beans. “I wish I knew how to cook like this.”
“I can teach you,” Joy says.
“Make it a group lesson,” Millie adds.
“I’m jealous that I won’t be here for it,” Zoey says. “Maybe I’ll come back, just for that.”
And so it goes for the rest of the evening. Banter and jokes and stories about football games played long before I was born.
I love it. Our two families get along better than I could have hoped for. Not that I thought they wouldn’t, but I was nervous.
And I see now that there was no need to be.
I glance up and find Rem watching me over the rim of his water glass. “Hey, Doc,” he says, “would you please pass me the potatoes?”
“Sure.” I pass the bowl to him, and he brushes his fingers over mine, sending a little thrill through me. And by the look in his eyes, he knows exactly what he’s doing.
“Doc?” Mom asks.
“The Seven Dwarfs,” I reply.
“I need to hear how this all came about.” Mom turns to Remington. “Spill it.”
He looks at me, and I nod. “Go ahead.”
“I used to go into the coffee shop every afternoon before I got the kids from school, and I saw Erin. I didn’t know her name. Over time, she’d acted like almost every one of the dwarfs when I’d been there. Sleepy and happy and even dopey.”
“I had a brain fart moment,” I interject. “Just to be clear. Plus, I’m adorable and lovable.”
Everyone nods, then turns back to Rem.
“Then, coffee spilled on my hand, and she fixed me up. So, I called her Doc.”
“And I call him Grumpy,” I add. “Because he is. Most of the time.”
“He’s been way less grouchy since you came to live here,” Johnny says, surprising me. “He laughs more.”
“And he gets to do stuff with us,” Holly adds. “Like take us out on the horses and stuff.”
“Well, I’m happy to hear that you like having Erin with you,” Mom says. “I have to say, this spontaneous trip was exactly what I needed.”
“We get to go on a trip, too,” Holly tells her. “When do we go, Grandma?”
“In just a few days,” Joy replies and turns to my mom. “John and I are taking the kids over to Spokane for a few days of shopping and eating in the city.”
“And we get to see Aunt Melissa,” Johnny adds.
“Oh, how fun,” Mom replies. “Maybe someday, you two would like to see Seattle.”
My gaze catches Remington’s again, and he’s simply watching me, listening to all the conversations going on around the table. Ryan and Brady are asking my dad a million questions about the team and being a famous football player. Chase, Millie, and Zoey are talking about crime, of all things. Which shouldn’t surprise me because I’m pretty sure my sister is going to pursue a career in law enforcement after she graduates from college this spring.
I love the chaos and chatter happening around me. It reminds me of being with the rest of our family.
With everything else going on, this is exactly what I needed.