Chapter 39
“I’ve missed this.”
My voice carries across the open land of Lucky Spurs Ranch, land that used to feed countless heads of cattle and provide bales of hay for winter.
It may never see a bovine again, but Reid’s a smart man and he’s taken full advantage of the need for hay in these parts.
He has a standing “you cut it, pay for, and haul it” policy, as well as a few larger contracts.
“Missed what? You come out here all the time, dipshit,” Reid calls from his current mount. He constantly rotates to rehab the horses he rescues.
Today I’m riding Pickle—stupid fucking name for a horse if you ask me, but my girls love it, which means I love it.
On top of being named after a condiment, Pickle is a mare. The only reason it stood out to me is because I’m already surrounded by four amazing females in my life, Mia, Harper, Everly, and Olivia. What’s one more?
“I meant spending so much time here. After the childcare nightmare consumed every moment I wasn’t working or sleeping, it’s nice to be back to this routine. Never thought I’d miss shovelin’ shit, but here we are.” I chuckle, stroking Pickle’s mane.
“I never saw myself anywhere else, doing anything else. Don’t know what I’d do if this wasn’t my view every day.” Reid nods.
“What if Isabelle wanted to move to fucking Kansas where everything’s flat as far as the eye can see?
Or to the beach in Florida where it’s so hot and humid you sweat through your clothes soon as you step outside, crowded to the tits, getting sand stuck in places it don’t belong?
” Even as I describe it to torture Reid, I add Florida to the list of places I’d never live.
“Then we’d move.” Reid shrugs.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. I’d move the stars if she asked me to. My happiness only exists when she’s happy.” His sentimentality surprises me.
Knowing the man Reid used to be, I can easily say Isabelle’s the best thing to ever happen to him. Love changed him for the better.
“Ready to head back?” he asks, the sun’s position telling us it’s time to feed the horses.
I give Pickle another stroke before guiding her around and trotting back to the stables.
Soon, this’ll be my forever view, with my girls by my side.
From the soles of my feet, I’m dreading what I’m about to do.
Me: When do you have time to come over?
Olivia: Good afternoon to you too, big brother. Why yes, I’m doing just fine! Thank you for asking.
Me: Are you done?
Olivia: Eh, sure. I’m too tired to hound you today.
Olivia: What’s up?
Me: I asked you a question.
Olivia: Okay grandpa.
Olivia: It’s your lucky day, brother of mine. I’m free for a couple hours here soon. Right around when Mia gets the girls from school. Why?
Me: That might work.
Me: Come to our place and we’ll talk when you get here.
Olivia: Talk about what?
Olivia: Greyson, you can’t leave me on a cliff-hanger like that!
Olivia: Don’t you leave me on read!
Olivia: You’re such an asshole.
I exit out of my text thread with my bratty younger sister and open the one pinned to the top of the list.
Me: If it’s alright, I asked Olivia to come over when you and the girls get home.
Mia: Why wouldn’t that be okay?
Me: I just wanted to give you a heads-up, so you aren’t blindsided when you come home. I’m going to talk to her about Meredith.
Mia: Of course, I understand. I can take the girls to the library until you’re done.
Me: You don’t need to take the girls to the library. You can bring them home like normal.
Mia: Okay. I’ll bring them home and we’ll stay out of the way while you talk.
Me: What are you talking about?
Me: Mia, I need you right here beside me. I can’t do this without you.
Mia: Then that’s where I’ll be.
Mia: I’m next in the pick-up line. See you soon. I love you.
Me: I love you.
I barely have time to piss before the front door slams open. Red hair that typically billows around Olivia like hellfire is pinned neatly into a bun. It must’ve been an office day today.
“Where are my nieces?” My sister brushes right past me looking for them.
“They’ll be home from school any minute.”
“I assume I’m not here for milk and cookies, so why’d you ask me over?”
“We’re not starting without Mia. But I want to talk about Meredith.” I try to ebb the fury that consumes me when I think of my mother.
Olivia sobers instantly. Fun Auntie Livy, menacing little sister is gone. In her place is a strong young woman who worked her ass off for her education and career. She calmly leaves the main space and closes herself in the bathroom, presumably to collect herself.
I try to busy myself tidying the already clean kitchen, or to put any stray dishes in the empty dishwasher, which there are none.
Mia takes such incredible care of our family and our home; I need to recognize her more for it. I intend to show her just how much I appreciate my good girl. Good damn thing I’m too stressed and simmering with anger for my dick to get hard, because now isn’t the time to be sporting a boner.
“DADDY!” A duet of tiny voices fills the apartment, with Mia in the background shouting for them to take off their shoes and hang up their jackets and backpacks by the door.
The girls tromp back to the entryway and do as she says, grumbling, “Mommy…”
With nothing stopping them, my daughters run to me—a moment I take a mental snapshot of, the love for me bursting from their little faces. I bend down and swoop a kid up in each arm and balance them on my hips as four arms wrap around my neck in a precious hug.
Through the action I glimpse Mia wiping away a tear, as grateful—if not more—for this family we’ve built.
“Auntie!” Harper bursts my eardrum as Olivia steps into view. I set the girls down, so they don’t bruise my kidneys or my balls trying to get down.
I use the opportunity to cross the space and steal a kiss from my fiancée. I’ll never get enough of her kisses, her soft breaths, and small hands that pull at my chest to get closer.
“Are you ready for this?” Mia asks against my lips, gently trailing kisses down my jaw to my neck before nuzzling in for a hug.
“No.” I chuckle into her mess of hair; the soft scent of peaches calms me a notch.
“I’ll get the girls set up with snacks in one of their rooms. I think I have an emergency toy tucked away in our closet,” she says.
“What the hell is an emergency toy?”
“You know, for when you get invited to a birthday party at the last minute and don’t have time to go buy a gift. Or they’ve done something exceptional you want to reward them for but aren’t prepared. I keep a small stash of emergency toys, books, and games so we’re always covered,” Mia explains.
“You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met, Mia. Never change.” I kiss her temple and let her go to execute her snack-toy mission.
Olivia gets roped in, as the girls won’t release her hands to save her life.
My sister’s always been wonderful with children and gravitates towards them, but not once have I heard her talk about wanting any of her own.
I figured it was due to her age, a college student breaching her twenties can’t be expected to have babies on the brain.
Not that women should be expected to procreate at all, but with her love of children, I thought I might’ve heard even a comment by now. Isabelle and Delilah talk about babies all time, even though neither of them intend to have any of their own.
I deserve to be backhanded. Olivia’s family planning is none of my, or anyone else’s, goddamn business.
“All set.” Mia dusts off her hands. “They should be occupied for at least the next twenty minutes, and if we need longer than that, we’ll go from there.”
We move to the living room in silence, Mia and I taking our corner of the sectional, Olivia choosing a spot where she can face us easily.
“Not to make this all about me, but if you don’t tell me what this is about I’m about to freak the fuck out,” Olivia says, and she ain’t lying. The girl’s got a wicked case of anxiety.
“Alright,” I acquiesce.
Mia takes my hand and gives me a double squeeze.