Chapter 18
18
Gunn pulled in at the ranch and parked in his usual spot. He was already checking cars to see who had shown up while he was gone. He had texted Ayla already, just to make sure she had a ride. He’d passed by the hospital on his way through town—Guthrie’s truck was still there. Aubrey’s SUV was in the driveway right there, but that didn’t mean anything. Guthrie had insisted on driving her everywhere for the two days the Fisher sisters had been staying there.
Ayla finally texted him back. She was with Greer and Hala and Giavonna. Having smart girl adventures, swimming in someone’s indoor swim gym, and determining something about the validity of land ownership laws from 1946 to prove Hudson Hanan was hallucinating. So Hala could start the process to have Hudson committed or something.
Gunn wasn’t entirely certain what that meant; he’d have to find out later.
But Ayla had told him she was on her way back to the ranch. She had big plans to see the litter of puppies again.
He was just glad she was going to be there. He’d take her up to the barn to see the puppies, whenever she asked. They could spend a few minutes alone together before dinner. It was Grady’s turn to cook—that meant fancier dinner than when Gunn cooked. With his twin cooking, that meant Gunn could focus on her. He’d make certain to sit by her.
This taking things slow was going to be harder than he thought. What he really wanted to do was scoop her up, carry her off, have Emerson marry them spiritually—even though Emerson wasn’t even legally ordained in Texas—and then it would be done. In a pinch, he could probably ask Adrian to handle the task of making it a legal union as well.
Then again, he was definitely getting ahead of himself here. The woman might take one look at the life he led, how much work being a minister actually was, plus the ranch—and head for the hills. She was nine years younger, maybe she wouldn’t be ready for forever as soon as he was. It was a distinct possibility.
He didn’t remember relationships being this complicated before. He’d been in a college psychology class one day, his ex had walked in. They’d just sort of started dating after that. He didn’t even remember if he’d asked her out first, or if she had asked him.
He’d been a bit preoccupied at the time with helping his brothers get the ranch switched over to being theirs and not their parents, and trying to decide what he really wanted for his future. And then there she was. It hadn’t worked out—she’d wanted more the ‘having a boyfriend’ kind of thing than having him specifically. She’d been just as focused on Grady when she’d been at the ranch. It had taken Gunn a while to see that.
When she’d tried to kiss his identical twin and claimed she didn’t know which of them was which—that was when things had definitely ended. Grady had thought Gunn was angry with him back then. The whole thing had really hurt Grady. Gunn had never forgotten that.
But… Gunn had been angry with himself, for not seeing what she was after. She’d wanted a wealthy husband. And that was what Gunn would have been. The Hiller Ranch was partially his, after all. He’d been leery of romantic relationships ever since.
“You are getting antsy,” Emerson said. Gunn suspected his friend was laughing at his plight. “Is she here?”
“I don’t know. Possibly. She was supposed to be with my sister Greer, but the girls all sort of just keep shuffling around lately. I might find her with Greer, or she may be with Giavonna, or hanging out with Genny. And they’ve been busy. Mom’s annual barbecue is this weekend. Mom’s running around like crazy, dragging Greer and Gia with her. Their friends have been recruited to help, too. Since… Genny’s attack.” Gunn headed up on the porch. The second step bent under his weight. He was going to need to repair that soon. And he needed to install ramps to the porches, and lights along the walkways. Just to make sure it was safe for Ayla.
He’d already googled the right way to make an accessible pathway.
Then he was pushing the door open and stepping into his home.
He heard the sound, then. Laughter.
“There they are,” he said. “Sounds like the crowd’s in the kitchen.”
Emerson followed him to the kitchen. And there she was. Sitting in the pub chair next to the island, helping his mother slice carrots and celery. His mother was laughing, Ayla was smiling. Greer was there, and Genny was curled up on the couch, a quilt over her, as Giavonna sat next to her and talked. Giavonna was angry about something—Hala was trying to calm her down.
Those two had been together a lot lately.
Grady was there at the stove. His brother was in charge of the kitchen tonight. No one was allowed in Grady’s way when he was cooking.
Gunn immediately felt all tension leave him. He was home, with the people he loved. Gunn hugged his mother. “Hi, Mom. Where’s Dad?”
“He and Gene are at the far barn doing something I’m sure was far more pressing than helping with dinner.” She smiled at the man just standing there next to the island. “Well, if it isn’t Reverend Emerson Riordan right here from Nebraska. Hi, honey, this is a wonderful surprise. You are looking as beautiful as ever. We’re glad you’re here.”
Gunn introduced his friend to his family—the ones he hadn’t met yet. Emerson knew most of his brothers, except for Guthrie and Grady. And he’d only met Giavonna of Gunn’s sisters. Greer and Genny were doing the curious eyes at him now.
“Guthrie is still in town at the hospital. He’s finishing up, and bringing Aubs with him,” Genny said. Gunn lifted her to her feet. She was still so achingly fragile right now. “I’m ready for her to be here, so we can check on her.”
“It was my sister’s first full day back,” Ayla said. She looked at Gunn. “Hi. Welcome home.”
His world narrowed, right to her. “Hi. How was story time?”
“It was great. George’s youngest two came today, with Ronnie’s sister Becky. Mari Lynn left her Scraggle Popp doll, but I grabbed Miss Jilly Silly before she got lost or went home with the wrong little kid for an adventure. Jilly is in my bag, so don’t let me forget to get her out of there. It’s probably dark in there, and I suspect Jilly may be afraid of the dark, you know. Then Greer and I went hunting for Hala and found Hala refereeing a real battle between her brother and Gia. War was declared, I think. We rescued Gia from Hala’s brother and now we are here. Ryan is here, too. He and Calvin are playing in Calvin’s room. Puppies were mentioned, I believe.” She looked at Emerson, and smiled. “Hi, there are eight puppies in the barn, you know. Calvin and Ryan promised I could have one if I promise to take good care of him or her. I gave a solemn vow. I’m Ayla Fisher, Greer’s bestie. I just sort of ended up here today.”
“Emerson Riordan, I’ve been Gunn’s bestie since the seminary. He told me all about you. I just sort of ended up here, too.”
Gunn watched her as she just chatted with everyone.
Emerson stayed off to the side, but Greer settled in next to him and started talking to him. His friend had a bit of a glazed look on his face. Greer would make him feel welcome. And he didn’t think Emerson minded.
Gunn had a mission, now. He was there when Ayla needed help down from the chair. He let his hands linger. “You feeling okay?”
He’d seen her wince a little.
“Just on my feet a bit too much at the library today, and sometimes I can get a bit sore sitting up too long. Did you have a good drive? I hate that road, it’s so flat and boring. And I don’t even drive it.”
“I was fine. It gave me some time to think.” He ran a hand down her arm—without thinking about who was watching. Until his mother sent him a very pointed look.
“About what? Sermons, that kind of thing?”
“What I want… from my life, that kind of thing.”
“Anything interesting? What exactly does a Gunn Hiller want from his future?”
One Ayla Fisher in his arms. That would be a good place to start. “I’ll tell you later. How late are you staying tonight?”
“I’m not entirely certain, actually. Aubrey wanted to be here with Genny, and she was for a little while, then she got called back in. Guthrie drove her. I think we may be staying for dinner, though. Grady was asking me what I like, that kind of thing, too. He’s working so hard on his concoction I don’t want to be rude. But… is it going to be any good? It looks a little complicated and everything.”
“Grady’s the best of us in the kitchen, so probably. I would love for you to stay.”