Epilogue #2
“Ally, are you having financial troubles?” Leo asks bluntly. “For him to specifically state that he’s going to buy it out from under you makes me think he knows you’re in trouble.”
“Not really, no,” she murmurs. “Granted, it’s been a rough year. Tourism has been down, and we haven’t booked as many weddings we usually do. But we’ve been doing okay. I’ve never talked to anyone about struggling.”
“Have our other cousins?” I ask. Ally’s dad and my mom have another sibling.
Our Uncle Jesse is the youngest, and always resented Ally’s dad, Boone, for inheriting the ranch.
When Boone had a stroke ten years ago, Ally took over the reins, much to Uncle Jesse’s dismay.
He has two sons, Dean and Walker, who both always seemed to walk a line between sniveling asshole and good guy.
“If you’ve ever mentioned anything to Dean and Walker, I wouldn’t put it past them to start shit. ”
“Could there be a connection between them and Dipshit McGee?” Leo asks, making me giggle. “What’s the guy’s name?”
Ally sighs, a sound full of resignation and exhaustion. “Cole Cunningham.”
Leo whistles low. “Damn. That’s not a dipshit, Ally.
Not many men out there can call themselves billionaires before the age of forty.
And he’s made quite a name for himself in commercial real estate.
Not that I’m saying he has any right to tell you he’s going to buy your land, but you’ve got the best acreage in Silver Mist Falls. He’d be an idiot not to offer.”
“Well, I don’t want his offer! I want him to leave my town!
” she seethes. “He’s everywhere I go. He wants horseback riding lessons and to host small dinner parties at the ranch.
He shows up at town hall meetings, and even when I’m at the grocery store.
He’s everywhere, Leo. And he’s so damn happy all the time.
Who the hell smiles nonstop? And does he sleep? I get texts at all hours of the night.”
“How’d he get your number?” I ask, intrigued.
I notice a slight blush creep up her neck, only barely visible in the light from the fire. “A mistake on my part, before I realized who he was.”
“So change your number,” Leo offers up, his fingers finding the back of my neck to rub gently. I fight the urge to close my eyes in bliss.
“Like you changed yours when you guys broke up?” Ally asks defiantly.
Leo raises a brow. “Exactly. I didn’t, because I still wanted her. Seems to me like you want this dude reaching out to you.”
Ally stands in anger, her breath coming out in quick huffs. “I absolutely do not! I want to keep my life as simple as it’s always been. Me, my friends, my animals, and the ranch. That’s it! He can fuck right off, and I won’t care! I’m going to bed.”
As she flounces off, Leo chuckles. “Is it bad that I’m looking forward to watching this play out?”
“Why?” I ask.
He smiles sheepishly. “I don’t know Cole Cunningham.
I’ve heard of him, obviously. And I think Dom’s met him once or twice when they’ve been at conferences together.
But the one thing I know about the man is he gets what he wants.
Since there isn’t anyone I know as stubborn as your cousin, this is going to be a battle of wills.
Unless she blatantly tells us she’s changed her phone number, I’m going to assume she subconsciously wants him to contact her. ”
I turn toward him, laying a hand over his heart.
I smile, knowing I’m covering all the tattoos he has for me, including where he added the birthdays for Oliver, Violet, and Rose onto the wings of the ladybug.
“You know, I guess that’s why I never changed my number either.
I was there, patiently waiting for you.”
His hand covers mine, clasping it tightly against his chest. “We were always meant to be, Ladybug. It just took us a little bit of extra time to find each other again. But that brings up a question. Do you remember when we made wishes?”
I nod. “Mine came true. Did yours?”
His face breaks into a beautiful smile. “It did. I wanted to have a family with you.”
“I wanted to marry you.” I beam. “Who’d have thought we’d be here today? Married with four kids, you finally have that woodworking business with Alex, and the bookstore is actually in a good financial place.”
“When we’re a team, we can achieve anything,” he murmurs, leaning over to kiss me. “Any idea how soundly your cousin sleeps? I’d like to make you moan a little, if that’s okay.”
“She sleeps like the dead,” I whisper, even though I really don’t know. And honesty, I don’t care. When my husband wants to make me moan, I’m all too willing to give him what he wants. “Take me to bed, husband.”