Six Months Later
Cash
I’ve always loved the ranch in the fall.
It’s been an eventful and busy summer, the way they always are out here. But this year it was made all the better by having my gorgeous wife by my side.
Kali and I got married at the beginning of July.
It was a small ceremony, with my brothers, a few friends, and Kali’s parents, who weren’t thrilled about the idea of their daughter leaving everything to move to a ranch in the middle of nowhere with a cowboy over fifteen years older than her.
But they came around quickly enough when they saw us together, and saw how happy their girl was.
Never mind the shared excitement we all have for the baby.
I stand on the porch of the guest cabin, well, it’s our cabin now, at least until we can get the Wolf brothers from up the mountain to build us some more log cabins on the property. The horses are in the lower pasture, tails swishing contentedly. Everything feels settled again.
When I returned to Rock Creek Ranch after so many years gone, I wasn’t sure it could ever feel this way again. I owe this peace I feel to one person.
Inside, my wife hums to herself while she writes.
After the article she’d written about the race, her editors hadn’t wanted to lose her and agreed to let her work remotely.
Occasionally, she has to travel for a story, but she’s never gone long and watching the way she’s grown as a writer has been worth every second we’ve had to spend apart.
Right now, she’s curled up on the couch in one of my shirts, her notebook propped up on her beautiful, swollen belly.
Only a few weeks left until we meet our little girl, and I can’t wait.
It’s hard to believe that only six months ago, I couldn’t see past my pride and the wreckage I’d created because of it.
Now, I can’t imagine my life any other way.
She comes to the door, her hair loose, her notebook in hand. “I thought you were supposed to be fixing the gate.”
“Gate can wait.”
She laughs, low and easy. “You’re impossible.”
“You married me anyway.” I pull her close, my hand resting on her stomach. The baby kicks against my touch, and we both laugh.
“She’s almost ready to meet us.”
“I can’t wait to meet her,” I murmur, kissing Kali’s forehead.
We stand there for a while, just the two of us.
The ranch is thriving, Wyatt and Anna’s new baby boy was born a few months back, and the rest of my brothers are home or on their way.
Plans are in place to build onto the ranch to take advantage of the growing tourism industry in Rock Creek.
And for once, everything feels like it’s exactly where it should be.
A pickup door slams in the distance.
I glance over to see my brother Rhett climbing down from the cab, hat pulled low. Even from a distance, I can see the tension in his shoulders that either means trouble or he has a story to tell. Maybe both.
Kali grins. “You’d better go see what’s up.”
“Can’t a man just enjoy a few quiet minutes with his wife?”
“Not around here,” she teases.
I press one last kiss to her lips and step down off the porch.
Whatever’s coming next, we’ll handle it.
Because this place is home. Our home.