6. Will
6
WILL
"Finally! Was beginnin' to think you were brewin' the beer yourself," Finn jokes, taking the bottle I'm holding out for him.
"I'm a man of many talents but brewin' beer ain't one of them."
"Flirtin' and readin' the room ain't one of them either," Case muses.
The eyes of every man at the table–mine included–drift to the bar where Birdie flits and floats, shakes and sways her way from customer to customer, serving drinks and delivering smiles like she enjoys what she does. I think it's just her way. She seems to just have a love of life and everything in it. That's why I thought she worked at the shop yesterday, she was just that enthusiastic about it all.
That's one of the reasons why I find the woman intriguing, along with the way just being in her orbit makes me feel lighter and happier, like there's nothing I have to worry about.
Her eyes, lips, gorgeous face, and curves in all the right places don't hurt either. I am but a man, after all.
"Will," Remy says, snapping me out of it. "You and Birdie? Didn't you just get to town?"
I take a swig of my beer and jerk my head from side to side. "There's no me and Birdie. I only met her yesterday. Tonight is the second."
"But the tension between them is so there," Case adds. "I tried to give him a nudge and help the poor guy out." He cups his hand to the side of his mouth. "Young Will needed all the help could get over there."
"I was doin' fine …"
Arching a brow, he spears me with a knowing look that says he doesn't believe me. "Did it work?"
"I have her number." I pat my shirt pocket. "And you were there when she asked me to take her to the diner sometime."
Randy nods approvingly. "Nice work."
I shrug. "I'm not lookin' to date anyone. But there's just somethin' about her. I like listenin' to her and lucky for me, she seems to love talking."
"Can't say I know her that well," Randy says, "but I've heard she's the type to give anyone in need the shirt off her back. A young mother hen too, always fussin' over her Dad–who's the mayor by the way–and Micah, our lawyer friend who Birdie works for too."
My head jerks up. "Wait, just how many jobs does she have," I think out loud.
"See! You are out of practice. Because that's the kind of thing you find out about during your rain check date, brother," Case adds.
He's probably right. I don't think I can remember the last time I went out on a date.
"And don't hide your intentions, Will. If you're interested in her, make sure she knows that. You don't want her friend zonin' you and you miss out on somethin' more because you didn't show her you were into her," Jude says.
I regard my baby brother thoughtfully. "Thanks, Jude."
"Anytime, Willy-Will."
My head drops with a groan. " Please don't call me that."
"What? I thought you liked that name." His shit-eating grin confirms he knows all too well how much I hate the childhood nickname.
"It was fine when you were five and usin' it. Now, not so much."
Sutton laughs. "Back to my big brother's date. Case said coffee and pie, that's a good start. What happens after that? Dinner and dancin'?"
"Hikin' and heavy pettin'?" Case adds with a smirk.
" Anyway ," I say loudly in an attempt to shut this conversation down before anyone overhears us. "Appreciate the support, but this ain't my first datin' rodeo. It's coffee and pie. She's just bein' friendly and welcomin' me to town. She probably only said it because Case was standin' right there putting the pressure on. All I know is that sometime in the future, I'll be takin' Birdie to the diner for coffee and pie." For now, anyway…
"Well said, Will," Randy says, touching his bottle to mine on the table. "Just know, if you feel different when you're around her, don't ignore it. I always knew there was somethin' about Nora that was special. Now look at us."
"Yeah. Aren't you goin' to be a granddad soon? Bet you didn't expect that to happen," I ask.
"Best decision I ever made was askin' my accountant out for a business dinner," he replies with a smirk. "Ten out of ten, highly recommend."
The table falls quiet after that, all of us drinking our beers and taking in the atmosphere.
"Finn," I say, looking across the table at Randy's cousin. "You work at the timberyard and mill in town, right? I was plannin' on poppin' in this week to touch base with you and your boss. It's not goin' to be long until we start repairin' the main ranch house and we're goin' to need supplies to do that."
"Yep, sure do. We can cut anythin' you want, whatever size you need. My boss Marshall is at the yard most days now, so call in and see us any time."
"You mean when he's not busy with his young wife and kids? The man's best friends with her dad. Talk about awkward…," Remy says.
I tilt my head. "Isn't your wife the baby Graham sister of the Bull Mountain Graham brothers? Sounds like you've had your fair share of awkward family meetin's."
Remy's eyes crinkle. "Yep. That's how I know what I'm talkin' about."
Finn laughs. "He's got you there, Rem. Honestly, Will. The best thing to do is just go down and talk to Marsh. If we don't have it, we can always source it and get it in for you."
"Just like that?" I ask, marveling at how different it is here compared to the hustle and bustle of the city. I ran my own construction company and even I couldn't get promised service like that. Maybe it's true what they say about small towns.
"This ain't the city, Will," Finn replies as if reading my mind. "Out here, we like to help people. Hell, we'll even deliver it, unload it, and more than likely chip in with the repairs if you let us. Some people like gettin' off the tools, not us."
"See! And here's you thinkin' all the construction work has to be a one-man job but there are people here willin' to help, and–oh, I don't know–the three brothers live there too," Sutton says, quirking a brow. I'm starting to think my brother is a little too perceptive for his own good.
It's then Finn thankfully redirects the conversation. "Have you thought more about what you want to do with the place? Randy said you had to stay for two years at least?"
"Not sure yet. We've got a bunch of ideas–"
"Do we ever," Jude muses. "Probably too many."
"Yeah," I laugh. "Gotta repair and upgrade all the outbuildings and bring the main house up to a more comfortable state first. I want to make sure we keep the integrity and feel of the place though. Gramps built it himself."
"That explains the messed-up gap under the bathroom door," Case mutters.
"And the crooked window in my bedroom. It adds character though," Sutton replies.
The Barnes' men just grin, all of them bobbing their heads in agreement. "The upkeep and repairs will be never endin', believe me," Remy says. "I've got an old cottage on the ranch that I renovated to make a home for me and my boy. Took me day and night and forgoin' sleep to get it done, but the satisfaction when it's finished is like nothin' else, I swear."
"That's the thing. I know it'll be a lot of work, construction was my bread and butter for years. But I want to do it–and Gramps–justice. It's what the property deserves, and it just so happens that the move here came at a time when a change of pace was very much needed. So, as far as I'm concerned, we don't need to rush." I stop speaking for a second, swallowing down the lump in my throat before looking around the group. "Gramps had a good heart. He may have gone down a bit of a prepping rabbit hole toward the end but–"
"We won't need to buy pantry items for a year at least, you mean," Jude muses.
"He made sure we wouldn't run out of food, that's for sure. But he was an honorable man. I think goin' back and tryin' to do what he wanted–livin' sustainable with a small environmental footprint–but still share the land with the community somehow… that's how we can continue his legacy. I think if we keep that in mind and don't stray too far from the ranch's roots, we'll be fine. I'll stop ramblin' now," I say with a dry laugh, expecting the others to join me. Instead, they're all looking at me with a mix of pride and understanding.
"You're fine, Will. You're passionate about somethin' for the first time in a long time. It's a good look on you, brother," Jude says.
"He's right, and I'd never say that about our baby brother," Sutton adds while Jude flips him the bird. "I know we're here because of Gramps's wishes, but ultimately, it was our choice to walk away from our lives and commit to this adventure. A lot of people wouldn't do it."
Case holds up his beer. "Here, here."
Randy, Finn, and Remy all share a knowing look but don't explain it.
"With all of y'all chippin' in, you'll have the place up and runnin' in no time," Randy says. "Just remember to enjoy the journey, whatever path that may lead you down." His eyes drift over my shoulder toward the bar before returning to me. It's like he's sayin' something without actually saying it. I just wish I knew what .
"Still leaves us with needin' to decide what to do with it," Case replies, stating the obvious.
"Didn't your grandfather used to run it as a guest ranch?"
"Yeah," I say. "There are–OK, were –five self-contained one-room cabins. They'd house visitors who'd come and stay for free in exchange for labor."
"Like an all-hands-on-deck workin' ranch, rather than a touristy dude one," Remy asks.
I nod.
"So, have you thought about restartin' that? It wouldn't be that much more work once all the repairs are done," Remy continues. "Then all you'd be doin' is runnin' the ranch/homestead like you would have to do anyway, but with free labor when and if visitors/guests come through. You provide free food and accommodation, and the people will come. And the sooner you get it up and runnin', the quicker you'll get the place back to bein' self-sufficient–especially if your grandfather stockpiled dry goods. Saves y'all dippin' into your own pockets."
"Then, if you do decide the small-town life isn't for you, you'll not only have the land and the mountain, but you'll also have an attractive, ongoin' operation to add to the pot," Randy finishes.
I let their words sink in. It's a good idea, even if the thought of the ranch and land bein' owned by anyone other than a Cooper seems wrong.
Reviving the guest ranch aspect of the property is an intriguing proposition. Not to mention, it would help bring some life back to the ranch and honor Gramps' legacy in a meaningful way. Sharing the family land with like-minded people and eco-tourists on their way through warrants some consideration, that's for sure.
I take another drink of my cold beer. "I think y'all have given me a lot to think about."
Case raises a single brow. "Don't you mean us ?"
"Well, yeah ," I reply. "But you did appoint me as the boss yesterday, and that's a responsibility I take seriously. It's worth lookin' into it at the very least."
"The land up there is fertile too. You could always look at havin' multiple income streams. Bull Mountain Ranch does that. They've got their cattle, but they've also got their Stud as well. Their breedin' program is just as profitable—if not more so—than the cattle side now. And it's only taken a few years to get up and runnin'. My brother-in-law Austin sells his handmade furniture pieces from there too," Remy explains. "If you're interested, we can always put you in touch with any of the owners there if you want to know how they did it."
"Will here already knows Red. Even got to experience him and Mags singin' karaoke in Anchorage last year," Randy tells them.
" That was an experience and a half," I muse.
"Red? As in Red Grayson?" Remy asks with a laugh. "Damn, I'd have paid to see that . Didn't know the man had it in him."
"Considerin' it was the first time I'd met him, I didn't realize at the time just how rare it was," I smirk. "Caught up with them when his son Wyatt invited me to Spring Haven with him. That diner there has the best Corned Beef Hash I've ever tasted."
"Mags sure can cook, that's for sure," Randy quips, looking around the table. "Looks like it's our turn to buy a round. Remy, you can come help." He waggles his brows, "unless Will wants to visit the bar again?"
"Oooh. He's got ya there," Case says, Sutton laughing along with him.
I glance over to the bar to sneak a peek at Birdie, a smile pulling at my lips when I catch her doin' the same to me.
Randy meets my eyes. "You've got time, Will. Slow and steady can get the same results as hard and fast when it's meant to be. Worked for me, didn't it?"
"Wait? Are you talkin' dirty, Randy Barnes?" Case says, butting in, making the others laugh.
Randy stays the course though, staring into my eyes. "Sometimes you find things are meant to happen anyway. Sometimes, you find yourself where you need to be, right when you need it." He looks back to Birdie again, his meaning as clear as day. "You get me?"
I nod, drinking the last of my beer and not for the first time, thinking about the captivating woman that I can't get off my mind.
And not for the first time, I wonder exactly why Gramps wanted us back here for two years. I have a feeling that's something he wants us to find out for ourselves.
We've got work to do, Will .
I steal another peek over at the bar, watching Birdie as she laughs with Remy.
Yes, we do, Gramps. I'm thinkin' in more ways than one…