Page 28 of Old-Fashioned Rancher

I couldn’t wait to call this man my husband someday.

Chapter 9

Grady

One month later

After Avery flew back to college, little signs of Birdie began to appear all over the house. Her toothbrush rested on the opposite side of the sink from mine. Her high-heeled, lace-up boots rested by the door, snuggled close to my cracked, dusty old cowboy boots. The faint scent of her honeysuckle perfume lingered in the bathroom every morning, even after she’d left to open Lavender Lane for the day.

A few plants appeared in the kitchen window—basil, sage, and rosemary—lending a cozy, spicy scent to the room. No one had ever bothered with keeping any kind of greenery on the ranch before. I had a notoriously black thumb. My ex-wife had never been the type to bother with plants. And Avery was usually too busy riding horses or flirting with local boys, despite my protest.

Having those herbs on the windowsill, flush and thriving, made the house feel more like a home. I had a habit of throwing myself into business, getting tunnel vision on my goals. Birdie knew how to live, cultivating and nurturing the little things that brought joy and comfort.

“Are you sure you don’t mind me intruding?” Birdie said.

It was Friday afternoon in late November, and she’d closed the shop for the weekend. As she wrestled a bulging duffel bag full of clothes from the back of her truck, I reached past her and slid the strap off her shoulder. Then I hooked an arm around her waist and pulled her close for a kiss.

“You’re not intruding, sweetheart,” I replied. “I promise. I like having you around.”

A pleased flush of pink crept into Birdie’s cheeks. I was looking forward to having her all to myself for the weekend. I never realized how big and empty the house was before she came along and filled every empty, dark corner with her warm personality.

I hoisted her duffel bag onto my shoulder and offered my other arm to her. She took it, hugging my bicep.

“Avery called the shop this morning. She said she’d like to meet up over Christmas break. Maybe spend the day together, just us girls.”

“Sounds like you two are scheming again,” I countered.

Secretly, I was relieved to see them getting along so well. Even though Avery had been the driving force behind pushing me into the dating world again, I wasn’t sure how she would handle it with Birdie under our roof. But she seemed to be delighted, calling Birdie just to chat—about school, the flower shop, the ranch.

“Does she know?” Birdie asked.

I faltered for a split second.

“About what?”

Birdie gestured toward the house.

“That I’m staying with you every weekend! This is her home, too. I don’t want her to be blindsided. Just because you don’t feel like I’m intruding, doesn’t mean that Avery feels the same way.”

That’s what I loved about Birdie—her kindness. She had so much love and consideration to give everyone around her. I swept a lock of hair away from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear, dragging my thumb down her jawline.

“Trust me, honey,” I said. “Avery is perfectly fine with you being here. When I told her we were officially dating, she wasn’t surprised at all. She wants you in our lives just as much as I do.”

Birdie ducked her head but not before I caught a glimpse of her small, pleased smile.

“Hey, boss!”

I turned to see Beau, one of my hired hands, striding toward us with a paper bag in hand. The logo on the front was recognizable instantly: Bread & Butter Bakery.

“My wife told me to drop this off for you and Birdie,” he said. “Rory made too many pastries again. Now that Thanksgiving is over, we have more leftovers than we know what to do with.”

Birdie accepted the bag and breathed in deeply.

“They smell heavenly! Thank you! That was very kind of Rory.”

I studied Beau who stood there, bursting at the seams with pride. Ever since he got married to the woman of his dreams earlier this year, he wouldn’t shut up about her. Praising her to everyone who would listen. They were expecting a baby in the spring, too.

“So, married life is treating you well, Beau?” I asked.

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