23. Oliver
My family walks through the ranch door carrying suitcases, baby bags, toys, sleeping kids in their arms and smiles.
And still, I can’t enjoy a damn thing.
It’s been three nights—three exact damn nights—since I last spoke to Cala.
Haven’t touched her, kissed her, or fucked her and it’s driving me insane.
“We’re here!” Killian, of course, is all charm and sunshine, always the damn showman, craving the spotlight like he was born under it.
Luca smacks him on the shoulder for waking Mila, who’d been sleeping in his arms.
Silas walks in holding Julian’s hand, Lauren right beside him, her sister Emma trying to calm Mila down.
One by one, I hug them. The last time we were all together was last Christmas, almost a year ago now.
“Welcome to Walker Ranch!” Eliza calls out behind me, voice bright and full of life.
Everyone greets her like she’s part of the family.
Killian knows her best—he rushes over and lifts her clean off the ground.
“Eli! You look twenty years younger! What’s your secret?”
Eliza laughs but swats him away. “Flirting with an old lady now, are you?”
I know she loves it, though.
“Come on in,” I say, motioning toward the living room.
“Think we could put the kids down for a nap before I kill you all?” Emma asks sweetly.
Eliza heads upstairs with Lauren, Emma, and the kids while I stay downstairs with my brothers.
“When you said ‘ranch,’ I pictured something way rougher, Oli. This place is incredible.” Silas scans the room, impressed.
And right then, I’m damn glad I hired an interior designer.
Otherwise, yeah—it would’ve been way rougher.
The living room is easily the coziest spot in the whole house. I lit the fireplace earlier, and now the fire crackles away, making everything feel warm and comfortable. It’s the sort of heat that makes you want to stay put and just relax.
I’d never noticed how inviting it looked—probably because I’d always sat here alone.
One person makes a big room feel even bigger.
“I never said I lived in the mud,” I answer, pouring four glasses from the cabinet. “That was all your imagination.”
We raise our glasses and drink in silence.
Luca stands by the wide windows, staring outside.
Silas takes one of the couches, and Kill follows his lead.
“I love all the green,” Luca says, still looking out. “But this place could use some water.”
“There’s a lake a couple miles out,” I reply, following his gaze.
He turns toward me, one eyebrow raised.
“A lake? Impressive.”
I grin, tip him a wink, and sit with my other two brothers. Luca joins us seconds later.
“And Lucien?” Kill asks, bringing his glass to his lips.
“He’s at a rehab center,” I explain. “Goes three times a week, spends the whole day there.”
The Green sisters walk into the living room, each dropping onto the couch beside her partner with a long, tired sigh.
Motherhood doesn’t look easy—but damn, they look happy.
“This house is beautiful, Oliver,” Emma says.
“Thanks.”
“Once Julian’s fully awake, I’m sure he’ll want to explore every corner of the ranch,” Lauren adds.
“I’ll be happy to show them around once they’re up,” I say.
Killian’s gaze starts wandering around the room, and I narrow my eyes at him. He knows this place too well… so who the hell is he looking for?
“Need something?” I grunt.
“No, brother, I’m good,” he answers with that devilish grin and drains his glass in one go.
Eliza walks in just then, carrying a tray of steaming cups and the bread I know she baked at dawn. She sets everything on the coffee table and flashes me her usual warm smile.
“Thank you, Eli,” Kill says with an exaggerated charm. “So, where’s the rest of the staff?”
Eliza glances at me before answering—she’s smart enough to sense what he’s up to.
“Killian…” I warn.
Silas and Luca exchange amused looks.
“You know I’m just being friendly!” Killian protests.
I’m going to strangle him.
Silas stands, effortlessly slipping into his older-brother-and-CEO persona.
“Come on, Oliver. Give us the grand tour. We all want to see what really goes on out here.”
He reaches a hand back for Lauren, and she takes it instantly.
I watch their joined hands with a flicker of envy before nodding, swallowing down the sudden urge to take Cala’s in mine. But if I keep going down that road, I’ll only crash harder later.
Anyway, let the Walker Ranch tour begins.
We’re packed tight in my truck, but I don’t mind.
It feels good, having my family close—like they’re the only people in the world who can make me lower my guard and actually enjoy being around other humans.
My brothers are in awe of the land, the house, the barn, the stables, the cattle pens, the horse corral, the duck pond, the vegetable garden, and acres upon acres of open fields and trees.
When I look at it through their eyes, maybe it’s too much for one man.
But for a family? It’s just right.
A family I’ll never have. But I’d rather not open that door.
“Oliver,” Lauren calls from the back seat, perched on Silas’s lap. “What is that woman doing? Is she your employee?”
Every single one of us looks where she’s pointing.
Cala’s by the barn door, changing the horseshoe on one of the mares. She’s bent over, high-waisted jeans hugging her hips, her ass pointed straight in our direction.
The first thing I do is look at Killian—he’s wearing the exact expression of that horny wolf from the old Warner Brothers cartoons. All that’s missing is his tongue rolling onto the dashboard.
“Is that Cala?” he asks, voice dripping with disbelief.
I ignore him completely and answer Lauren instead, keeping my eyes on her through the rearview mirror.
“Yeah, that’s Cala—my foreman. She’s changing Ruby’s horseshoe. It must’ve been bothering her, but it’s for hoof protection.”
Lauren’s an environmentalist, always fighting for some cause, so I make sure to clarify before she starts a protest right here in my truck.
I park near the barn. I can already tell everyone’s dying to meet her—especially Killian, who looks way too eager. This is going to be awkward as hell; we haven’t talked in three days, and the few texts we’ve exchanged were strictly work-related.
When Cala hears the doors slam shut, she stops what she’s doing and looks our way, shielding her eyes from the sun the same way she always does. I don’t know why she won’t just wear sunglasses.
“Miss Saint-Clair!” Killian calls out, striding toward her. “Finally, an honor to meet you.”
“KillK.?” she says, shaking his hand.
My inner alarm bells go off immediately.
“You two know each other?” My voice is sharper than I’d like and everyone can tell how tense I just got.
“No,” she laughs. “I’m a fan. I’ve followed him on Instagram for years. Never realized you were a Walker.”
Kill bursts out laughing, his eyes locked on mine. He’s enjoying this way too much, and I can practically see his ego inflating by the second.
“I love meeting my fans,” he says smoothly. “Let me introduce you to the less famous Walkers. This is Silas and his wife, Lauren.”
They wave politely.
“Don’t ask them about high school, it’s a sore subject,” he adds in a loud whisper.
“Then we’ve got Luca and Emma,” he continues, pointing.
Emma hugs Cala immediately, while Luca offers a polite handshake.
“We used to hate her, but now we’re #TeamEmma,” Kill quips, earning a laugh from Cala, louder and freer than I’ve ever heard from her.
“And you already know Oliver,” Kill finishes, grinning wickedly. “And here we have the grumpiest Walker of them all. Though, to be fair, he does look a little less stressed than usual.”
Cala turns to me and smiles. It’s the first smile I’ve seen from her in days that isn’t hiding something.
“The pleasure’s mine,” she says, offering her hand.
I take it and pull her gently toward me, away from Kill.
“Likewise,” I reply.
Silas walks over to Ruby, running a hand along her coat.
“My wife was curious about your work, Cala,” he says. “It’s impressive how well you handle this beast.”
“Are we talking about the horse or Oliver?” Kill throws in.
I shove him hard. He just laughs louder.
God, give me strength not to kill him.
Cala ignores him, calm as ever. She motions for Lauren to come closer and starts explaining the process. Emma joins them, eager not to miss a thing.
My brothers line up beside me, watching their wives. Ruby flinches when Emma reaches out, and the three women laugh at something Cala whispers.
“Is she the one?” Luca asks quietly.
I glance at him, one brow raised. “The one?”
He tilts his head toward her. “Come on, pretending there’s no tension between you two is pointless.”
I look back at Cala, noticing her soft smile and the gentle way she moves.
There’s a light in her eyes whenever she’s near the animals and seeing that lights something inside me.
It’s as if, all this time, I’ve been trying to ignore what’s right in front of me—but now, I can’t help but feel something twist deep within. Maybe I’ve been denying it all along.
I exhale slowly, my gaze still fixed on her, unable to look away.
“Yeah,” I admit. “She is.”