Page 103 of Love in the Wild

“You’d be surprised how many complaints we get about it,” she said as she hopped into the seat.

Gage shook his head and shut the door before walking around to the other side. The sun was completely hidden behind the tree line now, and a blanket of darkness spread over the hills of the ranch.

Once he was settled and shifted into reverse, Hadley scooted over closer to him. “How are things at the garage?”

“Pretty good. Jacob is still working on the Porsche. That kid has some serious determination.”

“And an incredible work ethic for an eleven-year-old. I couldn’t believe he was that young when I met him.”

“I know. He works harder than most adults. Until a few months ago, I would have said I don’t like kids, but that one is pretty awesome.”

Hadley laughed. “My job is to entertain kids all day.”

Gage shivered. “I don’t know how you do it. Kids are like wild animals.”

“That they are. There’s never a dull moment.” She pointed toward the path leading to the right and chewed on the question hanging on the tip of her tongue. “So, does that mean you don’t want kids?”

Gage glanced at her, but his expression was soft. “I haven’t given it much thought lately. I decided a long time ago I didn’t want to bring another Howard into the world.”

“But that’s not a curse anymore,” Hadley said.

He reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. “I’m starting to believe that.”

“Good,” Hadley whispered. She almost choked on the word.

“What about you? You want kids?”

She took her own time mulling over her answer. “I think I do. I love kids.”

Gage brushed his thumb over her hand. “I have a feeling you have more to say.”

“I do, but…”

“But you’re only twenty years old, and you have plenty of time to make those decisions?” Gage supplied.

“Yes. That.”

Wow. There was a peace in being understood, especially when it came to making decisions about marriage and babies. Society made it seem like she wasn’t a family woman if she didn’t spend her young adult years trying to secure those things, but she was still trying to figure out herself. She wasn’t ready to create a family yet.

As if sensing she didn’t have much else to say on the topic, Gage asked, “Did you know Lyric is trying to officially adopt Jacob?”

“Really? That’s awesome.”

“Not that Jacob is lacking any support. That kid makes best friends with everyone he meets.”

Hadley met Asa’s new wife, Lyric, a few times at the garage, and if Gage hadn’t told her Lyric wasn’t Jacob’s biological mother, Hadley wouldn’t have been the wiser. It was clear those two loved each other, and watching them together made Hadley long for that old relationship she’d had with her own mom.

Don’t. Being jealous doesn’t help anything.

“I think that’s amazing. I love it when people who have no blood relation want to bind themselves to each other. Marriage and adoption have always seemed like those unattainable desires for me. My mom was great, and I love her to pieces. But I could never figure out if I should be wanting a stepdad or being grateful that I didn’t have a bad one still around.”

“I would have been happy not to have a bad one. It sucked.” He squeezed her hand. “But I wish you’d had a good one. I can’t imagine…”

Gage’s jaw tensed, and his nostrils flared slightly. The change was almost imperceptible in the dimming evening light, but she noticed.

“Can’t imagine what?” Hadley asked.

“I just hate that you had to go through that. I don’t like thinking of you as a kid–or even a woman–being mistreated. Or that someone might have made you question how amazing you are.”

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