Chapter 53
Good Time – Owl City, Carly Rae Jepsen
Cassidy
It was incredible how far the construction had come on in the last few months.
The stables were taking shape, with the interior being started after the weekend.
As for the camp building, the foundations had been laid, and the walls were about thirty bricks high so far.
Everything was going to plan, and Lily and I were just about finished with our planning session.
It was our third one and we were making inroads into how we wanted to run the school side of the camp.
“Flo Jeffreys from the stationery company has offered to give us a forty percent discount on anything we need.” Lily grinned and clapped her hands like a little seal. “It’s starting to feel real isn’t it?”
I relaxed back in the chair on the porch, lifting my face to the Summer sun, letting the heat soak in.
Happiness was a strange feeling, you couldn’t pinpoint what it was or describe it, but you just knew it was happiness, and that was what I’d been feeling for the last four months.
Since Gunner Miller had called me sweetheart and made some incredible, totally fulfilled, promises about his penis.
“How are you feeling about going part-time at school?” Lily asked, pulling her feet up under her butt.
Dropping my gaze to hers, I breathed out. “Okay. Mrs. Wright was good about it, and I know it’s what I want, but I’m still nervous.”
Lily had been more than on board with the idea of expanding the kid’s camp curriculum, but with her usual level-headedness, she suggested we not both leave our jobs until we knew we were on to a winning thing.
Of course, I’d pouted for about ten minutes and then realized that she was right; hence why I’d asked Mrs. Wright if she’d be amiable to me becoming part-time and sharing classes with Audrey, who shared classes with Lily.
Seeing as Audrey was desperate for more classes it was a win-win situation.
I worked Monday through to Wednesday, and Lily worked Wednesday through to Friday, meaning the three of us got a midweek handover and catch up.
“You’re bound to be, but take it from someone who knows, I feel more refreshed and invigorated by only teaching three days.
” She looked over toward the stables. Bertie and Lucas had been spending every day over there since Summer break started.
Tally was brilliant with them, and she and Mikey had created a little work schedule for them to keep them occupied.
They would eventually become our guinea pigs for the camp, but while construction was still ongoing they were earning an allowance with ranch chores.
“Did you see the kids riding yesterday?” she asked me. “The progress they’ve made is incredible.”
“Hate to break it to you,” I grinned, “but Bertie mentioned something about being a barrel racer when she’s older.”
Lily shrugged. “If that’s what makes her happy.
And as long as she’s allowed to wear protective pads on every inch of her body and an army strength helmet then it’ll be fine.
” A shadow crossed her face. “God, the idea scares the shit out of me, but I want her to be happy and fulfilled and if that’s what it takes then so be it.
” Billy toddled past with a toy horse in one hand and a guitar in the other.
“And he clearly is going to be a singing cowboy.”
Our laughter was filled with joy and that happiness that was so hard to pinpoint.
Gunner
Watching Tally working with the horses was a lot like watching myself when I first started.
On one hand she was eager with a whole host of ideas that she only knew how to put half of them into practice, then on the other hand she was a complete natural.
She would benefit from some guidance from someone other than me, which was why I had a surprise for her. A good one I hoped.
“Tally, you got a minute?”
She looked over from where she was watching Benny working a horse that acted like he was lame even though we couldn’t find anything wrong with him.
“Hey, boss. What can I do for you?”
“You heard of Jesse Connor?” I asked as she stopped in front of me.
Her eyes widened. “Yeah, of course, who hasn’t. He’s one of the best horse trainers in the country.”
“The best,” I corrected her. “And he’s a good friend of mine, has been since I went to spend time learning from him about eight years ago.”
“You trained under Jesse Connor? Wow.”
“I know, I feel privileged. It’s amazing what that guy can teach you in three weeks.”
“I bet.” She clasped her hands in front of her chest, and I noticed her nails were bright pink today.
That was Tally’s thing, jeans, Western boots, a flannel and a Stetson were her regular attire, but her nails were always painted and manicured to perfection.
“I hear he’s quite hot, too.” She laughed loudly, the shyness of her first few weeks completely gone, except for when Wilder was around strangely.
“Yeah, he’s a good looking guy,” I chuckled. “Anyway, how do you feel about going and spending some time with him on his ranch? Learning from the best.”
Her mouth and eyes went wide making her look like that Scream painting. “M-me?”
“If you want. You’ll be working alongside Jesse, his brother Caleb and Jesse’s daughter Clementine who he’s also training up. She’s a bit younger at eighteen, but I figure you’ll get on okay with her; if you decide to go, of course.”
“Yes, yes, yes I’ll go,” she yelled, jumping up and down before throwing her arms around me. “When do I go?”
Once she extricated herself from me, I was finally able to tell her she’d be going in a week’s time.
“Thank you so much, boss,” she squealed. “I really appreciate it, but you should know I have learned so much from you already. More than all the other trainers I’ve worked for put together.”
Grinning, I nodded. “I know, I’m pretty awesome, now get back to work.”
As she skipped off, Nash sauntered over with Wilder. Nash’s face held an impassive expression, while Wilder’s was full of fury. He must have been mad because he didn’t even glance Tally’s way.
“What’s up buttercup?” I asked, looking them both up and down.
“Nate just called.” Nash thrust his hands to his hips and tipped his head back with a groan.
“He’s not removing his sponsorship is he?” I kicked at the ground. “If he’s reneged on the deal about the meat packing plant I’ll—”
“No,” Wilder ground out. “He’s found out who set fire to the stables. Well, his guy has.”
It was difficult to explain how that statement made me feel, a mixture of anger and something that couldn’t be described as joy or pleasure, but there was a certain level of elation. It felt like maybe we would finally get some answers, allowing us to move on toward our dreams, as a family.
“Well?” I braced myself, thinking for some bizarre fucking reason he might say our father’s name.
“A developer called Ernie Saint. Nate outbid him for the land,” Nash told me.
“The fucking bastard thought if he set our stables alight we’d go against the development, get rid of Jenkins and then Saint would swoop in and take over promising whatever we wanted. Nate said he’s well known for his dirty tactics.” Wilder’s nostrils flared.
“Yeah,” Nash added. “He gets the community on side and then once the build is underway changes the plans and goes against everything he promised.”
“Did Nate know this when he outbid him?” My chest was heaving with the exertion of not yelling, knowing it would scare the horses.
“Yeah, and as soon as he heard about the fire he had an inkling it might be him but needed to get the proof.” Nash put a strong hand on my arm and gave it a squeeze. “I’m so sorry about Ariel, Gun, she didn’t deserve to be a victim of some fucking land deal.”
The pain of losing Ariel was always there but knowing the reason she’d died made me want to vomit. A greedy, spoiled man who hadn’t got what he wanted thought it was okay to take matters into his own hands. He felt that it was acceptable to put us all in danger to get what he wanted.
“You’d better tell me that he’s under lock and key because if he isn’t I’ll fucking kill him.”
Nash nodded. “Arrested this morning at four a.m. The cops have all the evidence they need, thanks to Nate’s ‘man’.”
“What kind of evidence?” I asked.
“It’s what took the time, but it was a bank transfer for the guy who lit the touch paper. Also, for some reason,” Nash smirked, “the guy decided to give himself up. I think there was some gentle persuasion involved. Seems like Nate came good on his promise to help.”
I didn’t know who I wanted to get my hands on the most, the fire starter or Ernie fucking Saint.
“I know you might feel you’ve missed out on getting your form of revenge for this, Gun, but this is for the best.” Nash’s eyes were full of resolve that this was the end of it. “Just think about what you’ve got with Cassidy and the camp, not what you’ve lost.”
He was right. I knew he was, but I at least needed a few minutes to let the anger flow like hot lava through my veins.
“Any more amazing news for me to digest on this beautiful sunny day?” I asked, glancing toward the office. “I have work to do.”
“Wilder found us a new bull and is going to see it tomorrow,” Nash offered.
Wilder grinned and nodded.
“That’s good news. Anything else?” I asked, sticking my hat back on my head.
“This morning, I did a shit so huge I thought I’d broke my ass,” Wilder offered. He grinned like the devil, but there was a weariness under it, like humor was his favorite armor. Damn, my brother was trouble, but of the best kind.
“Christ, Wilder.” Shaking my head, I turned to leave. “You’re a fucking animal.”
I did my best not to laugh until I was in my office, because despite everything, the fire and losing Ariel, my shoulders felt a whole lot lighter.
When the door swung open I was surprised to see Nash again.
“What?” I asked. “Can’t stand being apart from me, now?”
He chuckled and closed the door behind him. “Just wanted to check on you.”
“Why? We just spoke out there.”
“I know, but I’ve got a sense that there’s something going on with you.” He pulled out a seat and sat down, running a hand through his already messy hair. “I know the fire took a lot from you, not just emotionally, but you seem restless.”
The creak of my chair as I shifted was the only sound as my brother waited for me to respond. Staring at me until I cracked.
“It’s about Cassidy,” I finally admitted.
My chest sank with relief that I was finally going to acknowledge my concerns.
I’d thought if I didn’t voice them they wouldn’t exist, but what I wanted was too big to go into it lightly.
It was a decision that I needed to be completely at ease with, even if Nash’s response wasn’t what I wanted to hear.
“I thought things were good with you two?”
“They are. Incredible.”
“So what’s the problem?”
I slumped in my chair. “I want to ask her to move in with me. Into the house I’m going to be building, but our house before then. I know since the fire she’s practically moved in anyway, but I want to make it official.”
Nash shrugged. “If you want my approval then you’ve got it. If you want my consent then you don’t need it.”
My stomach clenched at the idea that all my dreams might not be ready for fruition. I wanted it all…now. I was impatient to start my future.
“What if it’s too fast? What if she’s not ready? What if—”
“Gun,” Nash’s voice cut through my spiraling. “How long have you been together?”
“A few months.”
“And how long have you been in love with her?”
I thought about it. Really thought about it. “Probably since our first date to the restaurant at the farm.” I chuckled. “I mean I’ve been in lust with her for three years if that counts.”
“Yeah, your hate for each other was kinda like angry foreplay.” He rolled his eyes. “Which means you’re sure that this is what you want.”
“Dead sure.” The answer came without hesitation. “I can’t imagine my life without her anymore. Don’t want to.”
Nash leaned back in his chair, studying me. “Then what are you really afraid of?”
I was quiet for a long moment, trying to put words to the tangle of emotions in my chest. “What if it’s still too soon? What if she says yes but doesn’t really mean it? What if she’s just going along with it because things are good right now?”
“Didn’t you say you had this conversation a while back, right after the fire?”
“Well, yeah, but she might have changed her mind.” The possibility pressed heavily on my shoulders.
“She give you any indication that she has?”
“No.” My response was so positive I had to wonder why we were having this conversation.
“And you haven’t?”
“No. She makes me want things I never thought I wanted. A real home. Kids someday. The whole damn thing.”
“Sounds terrifying.” He gave me the smirk of a man who already had all of that and loved every second of it.
“How did you know? With Lily. How did you know she was ready for everything?”
“When you’ve spent ten years apart and there’s still that pull for both of you then I guess it’s obvious.
But leaving it that long is not recommended.
If you know, you know—time is irrelevant.
” His gaze turned to the window, probably across the ranch to the house where his whole world was.
“To be honest I knew Lily was the one the minute she walked into that classroom when we were sixteen years of age. When she came back I knew why I’d never made a future with anyone else. Thankfully, she felt the same.”
“But how did you know that?” I pressed.
He tapped his chest. “In here.”
My hand instinctively moved over my heart, feeling the steady glow of deep rooted happiness that settled there.
Nash stood up, clapping me on the shoulder.
“Take her to the place where you want to build your dreams. Whether that’s where you’re going to build the house, the camp, or even if it’s just somewhere you envisage spending time with her.
Show her what you’re offering and then trust her to know her own heart and you to feel it with yours. ”
I nodded, knowing exactly where that would be. “The North pasture, where I want to build.”
“Perfect.” Nash grinned. “And Gun? Stop overthinking it. That woman is crazy about you. Anyone can see it and don’t forget my wife is her best friend,” he grinned, “and she is terrible at keeping secrets after I’ve given her an orgasm.”
As he left the office, I felt the last of my nerves transform into anticipation. Nash was right. It was time to start building the life I wanted.
With her.