Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“I love it here,” I murmured. Tonight was one of those rare moments of feeling like I was exactly where I was meant to be. I’d arrived in Majestic almost a year ago exactly, and I’d felt right away that it was a place where I could find contentment.
“I can see why you do,” Tully agreed. “It suits you.”
“The people here are good. Loyal and kind. I assumed they’d be closed-minded and prejudiced, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised.”
I felt Tully’s eyes on me. He was probably wondering where I was going with this.
My hands stretched around the steering wheel as I pointed us home. “I’m building a house.”
Why was I so nervous? Suddenly, it felt like a decision I’d known was right for me was up for debate. I wanted him to approve. I wanted him to tell me it was a good idea.
“Here?” he asked. He shook his head. “Stupid question. Of course it’s here, your job is here. Is it in town?”
“Not in town, no.” I explained how I’d selected the home site adjacent to the Fletcher Ranch. I didn’t explain that it was a multimillion-dollar parcel of land located on a hundred acres with over a thousand feet of frontage on the Majestic River.
“That makes more sense,” he said after I described the views and the peaceful setting. He hesitated. “Is there room for Lellie?”
“Plenty. It, ah… it has several bedrooms.” I didn’t explain that I’d specifically designed it with a bedroom and full bath for each member of the brotherhood and Kenji, plus an additional guest suite. Even though I’d told him I had money, I wasn’t about to explain that I was building a seven-bedroom house for a single man. It was ridiculous and extravagant, the only obscene splurge I’d made since buying the Bugatti for my brother.
I cleared my throat. “I worry that she’ll be isolated, though.”
Tully surprised me with a soft laugh. “Dev, we’ve barely been alone in all the time I’ve been here. Your life is full of people. Silas, Way, Jo, Way’s sister, that damned sheriff, Indigo or whoever else is helping out around the ranch, and every single person we come in contact with in town who seems to know who you are, even if you haven’t met them yet. I can’t imagine her growing up isolated in such a small town. Your friends wouldn’t fucking allow it. Even if it was what you wanted.”
That last sentence seemed almost to be a question, as if he was wondering if that was what I would want.
“I can see your point.”
I pulled off the highway and onto the ranch road. The familiar curves and dips welcomed me to the only place that had felt like home in years.
Tully’s features were hard to read in the dashboard lights, but I could see his bright eyes as he looked at me. “All she needs is security and love, Dev.” His voice was soft but firm enough to make me believe him.
I parked the SUV by the barn. My mind was twisted in knots, wondering whether I could simultaneously convince him to put his hands on my body and also continue to reassure me with his words that I wouldn’t make a horrible father.
Either way, I was grateful Lellie was up at the main house so I could have Tully to myself for the rest of the night.
But before I could fully exit the vehicle, Indigo was there, wringing his hands and stammering. “H-how’s Trigger? Please tell me he’s good, dude. I’ve been legit freaking out thinking he’s sick and it’s totally my fault. I—”
“He’s fine,” Tully said quickly, hopping out and closing the door behind him. “It’s colic, but they’re treating him without surgery, and the prognosis is good.”
Indigo’s eyes shot between Tully and me. I could tell he was terrified about my response, but until I discovered whether his actions had contributed to the colic, I was withholding the loving reassurance Tully seemed eager to give him. Instead of speaking and potentially saying something I’d regret, I remembered what my father used to say and took a breath, simply nodding to agree with Tully’s words.
I could tell Indigo wanted to press me, but he must have read my body language. Instead, he turned to Tully. “What can I do to help? Just say the word and I’m on it.”
Tully glanced at me before answering. “You can make sure to check with Dev or Way before feeding any of the stock. Colic isn’t always caused by ingesting something bad, but it can be, so we need to be extra careful. Make sure you speak up if you see anything around the horses that shouldn’t be there. Trash, shoe nails, sand, dead animals or bugs… anything at all that seems like it’s not right. I’m not sure the vet knows the cause yet, so relax. It’s not always preventable, even if it is caused by something he ate.”