Chapter 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
The Ranch
“Enough,” Dad said. “I’ve had enough of this bullshit.”
Declan opened his mouth to speak but Dad shook his head. “No. You’ve had your say. You’ve had plenty to say. Now it’s my turn to talk.”
Dad sat on the couch, with Hadley and I flanking him. Muddy was in her patchwork chair. As for Declan and Cas . . . they were the farthest away from each other they could get while still being in the same room.
“You two need to make amends,” Dad said.
“Declan, I know you feel protective of Salem, but Cas is your best friend. And like it or not, he’s with Salem now and that’s not changing.
You were best friends before you each fell in love with a Powell sister.
And when Cas marries Salem, you’ll be brothers. ”
The two men looked at each other. Declan stepped forward and muttered, “Sorry.”
“Yeah, sorry,” Cas parroted.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Muddy said. “You think we bought that? No one bought that.”
“I’m not ready to forgive him,” Declan seethed.
“Neither am I,” Cas announced.
“Stubborn fuckers,” I snapped. “We’re not doing this.”
“Damn right we’re not,” Hadley said, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at her new husband. “You’ve been friends for over a decade. Don’t let pride end your friendship.”
“This isn’t about pride,” Declan stated.
“Then what is it about?” Hadley asked.
“I’m good enough for Salem,” Cas said. “Even if you don’t think I am.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Declan demanded.
“You don’t think I’m good enough for her,” Cas said, his face marred with anger. “That’s why you told her I wasn’t a family man.”
Declan held his head and sighed before looking at his best friend. “You dumb fuck.”
“Oh no,” I murmured.
“Wait,” Hadley said to me.
“Because you’re not a family man. You’ve been on the circuit for years and”—his eyes darted to me before returning to Cas—“never showed any signs you wanted to settle down.”
“Did you want to settle down until you met Hadley?” Cas asked bluntly.
Declan paused. “Fair point.”
“I didn’t plan this,” Cas said. “You of all people know how that shit goes.”
Declan straightened his spine. “So, what are you going to do? You’re at the top of your career. And you’ve got sponsorships . . .”
“I’ve also been offered the chance to be the face of Rudolph Lancaster’s new western line,” Cas said.
“You’re kidding!” Muddy gasped.
Cas looked at her and shook his head.
I cleared my throat. “They, ah, found out Cas and I were together and having a baby, and now they want us both to model in the campaign.”
The room was silent.
“Nothing’s been decided,” Cas finally said.
“What do you mean nothing’s been decided?” Declan asked.
“I mean, there’s a lot of moving parts,” Cas stated. “My career. Her career. That’ll get sorted. But I don’t want to be at odds with you.”
“We’re not at odds.” Declan cleared his throat. “I overstepped, brother. I won’t interfere in your relationship again.”
I held my breath as the two old friends stared at one another.
Cas held out his hand and Declan clasped it.
“Thanks, man,” Cas said, shaking Declan’s palm.
“I never did say congratulations,” Declan replied.
“No, you didn’t,” Cas agreed. “I’m sorry we weren’t upfront about our relationship.”
“That’s my fault,” I said. “I asked Cas to keep it quiet until after the wedding. I had no idea Amber would—anyway, I’m sorry too.”
Declan shook his head. “Don’t apologize, Salem. Hadley told me why you kept the news a secret. Still, it would’ve been nice to be clued in. Then we could’ve had double the celebration.”
I looked at Hadley.
She smiled. “Told ya. We would’ve been fine with an extra dose of happiness.”
I glanced at Muddy, and then at Dad. “So I guess that’s it then. We’re all good?”
“No, there’s more,” Dad said. “Your grandmother and I gave Hadley and Declan acreage on the ranch to build their house. When you officially get engaged, we’ll do the same for you. But not until I see a ring on that finger. You understand?”
I raised my brows. “Yes, oh traditional one, I understand.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ll wear her down.” Cas shot me a wink.
“Speaking of engagements, why don’t you till your own soil?” I said to Dad.
“What do you mean?” Dad asked.
“Seriously? Jane, Dad. It’s not right that you’ve had the woman move in without the promise of marriage and a future. In fact, living under the same roof without the same last name is a little hypocritical, don’t you think?”
Muddy cackled. “She’s got you there, Connor.”
“We’re not talking about me,” Dad said.
“Let’s talk about you,” Hadley said with a grin. “I think next spring would be a great time for you and Jane to tie the knot.”
“It’ll give him time to recover so he can stand at the altar,” I agreed.
“Wait a second—” Dad interjected.
“What do you think, Muddy?” I asked. “You good with a spring wedding?”
“Perfect. We might have to do it inside though. Rainy season and whatnot,” she said.
Dad rubbed his head. “Are you all finished?”
“For now,” I said with a laugh.
Hadley took Dad’s free hand and gave it a squeeze. “This is our way of giving you our blessing.”
Dad looked at Hadley, and then at me.
I nodded. “She’s right.”
“Well, shit,” Dad stated. “I better shop for a ring.”
“You’re still awake,” Cas said from the doorway of the connecting bathroom.
I looked at him and lowered the book I was reading to my lap and smiled up at him. “It’s nine o’clock.”
He padded over to the bed, and then all but flopped down next to me. “I like coming home to you after a wild night out.”
“And by wild, you mean . . .”
Cas laughed. “One beer with Declan at the Copper Mule.”
I raked my hand through his tousled hair. “And how did that go?”
“Good. We’re good.” He briefly closed his eyes and sank into my touch for a minute. “He helped me hash some things out.”
“I knew he would. It’s good you guys are buddies again.”
He opened his eyes and sat up to face me. “I’m going to retire, Salem.”
“What? No, you don’t have to do that,” I said.
“I don’t?”
I shook my head. “We can figure something out. You can fly home in between events. I’ll go with you to some of them. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Besides, you’ve got sponsorships. You can’t just give up everything you’ve ever—”
“Hey, hang on. My turn.”
“But—”
“Nope. You get to listen now.” He grinned when I glared at him. “And I know how much you love listening.”
He took the book from my lap and set it aside, and then he grasped my hands. “I’m going to finish out this season. We’ll schedule the Rudolph Lancaster photoshoot in between events. I’ll fulfill all my sponsorship requirements I have left on contract, but after that, I’m done.”
“What are you going to do then?” I demanded. “Work under Declan for the next many years on my father’s ranch? A ranch can’t have two foremen.”
“That’s part of what Declan and I were talking about.” He took a deep breath. “We’re going to open a rodeo club and be partners.”
“Where are you going to do that?” I asked in confusion.
“Here. On this land.”
“A rodeo club,” I murmured. “You’re going to teach bull riding and calf roping?”
“Yeah, and we’ve already got a plan for how it’s going to pan out.
Between the two of us, we can get sponsored riders to come here on the company dime to learn how to be better riders and ropers.
The better they get, the more they make.
And the companies who sponsor them will make even more sales off the promotions.
It’s a win for everyone involved and we’ll still get to rope and ride, just not on the circuit anymore. So, what do you think?”
“I think you have it all figured out,” I said.
“We’re going to need someone in charge of marketing and social media. You know anyone good?”
I smirked. “I have a few names I could pass your way.”
“What about your name and my name? I mean, your first name with my last name? Salem Bowman has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
“It sounds pretty good, Caspian Bowman.”
“Casimir,” he said softly. “Casimir William Bowman.”
I traced his lips with my finger. “Casimir William Bowman, legendary bull rider.”
“Casimir William Bowman, the man who’s not doing a good enough job convincing you to marry him.”
My fingers trailed down his chin to his neck and then lower . . .
“Maybe you should get creative.”
His grin was wicked. “Thought you’d never ask.”