Page 76 of The Cowboy’s Intriguing Love

He nodded. “It was great, and thanks again for letting me take the time off.”

“Of course. From what Cash tells me, you’re going to need Friday afternoon and Monday morning off again this week.”

He had to laugh. “He didn’t waste any time, did he?”

Wade laughed with him. “You know what he’s like – he wants to make sure that everyone’s taken care of. He knows that you’ll feel bad about asking – even though there’s no need. And he was trying to give me time to find someone to cover.”

“Are you going to be able to?”

“Yeah. You know Christian’s looking for every chance he can get to prove his worth.”

Ty nodded. Christian was his second in command, and he made no secret that he’d love to take over from Ty if the chance ever arose.

“Don’t look like that,” said Wade. “You’re my main man – and even aside from being my brother, you’re a better chef and I enjoy working with you more.”

Ty had to smile. “Thanks. You know I love working for you.”

“I know you don’t love it. I know you love helping me out – and I appreciate it, but it’s not exactly your dream job, is it?”

Ty shrugged. “No, but it’s the best real job I’m going to find.”

“And I’m glad to have you. I feel bad that so far, every plan we’ve made to expand things around here to create you a restaurant has fallen through.”

“It is what it is. Since you and Sierra and the kids now live in the first cabin, and Kolby and Callie are in the second one, I’m hardly going to complain.”

“I know, but I thought that this year we’d finally be able to add on to the lodge and create a restaurant space for you.”

Ty shrugged again. “It’ll all work out in its own time.”

Wade smiled. “Does this new, laid-back attitude mean that you have more important things on your mind?”

He grinned. “Yeah. I’m hopeful about what’s going to happen with Shayna and …” He couldn’t believe he was going to admit it to himself, let alone to Wade. “I want to be with her. If that means I have to move to Summer Lake, I will. So, it’s probably for the best that we never got around to opening a restaurant.”

Wade’s eyes were wide. “You’d seriously consider leaving the ranch – the valley?”

He nodded slowly. “I’m not saying that I want to, but yeah. If that’s what it takes to be with her, then I’m prepared to go.”

“When’s she going to come up here to visit?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m going to see her this weekend and we’ll figure out our next steps from there. Why?”

Wade gave him a grim smile. “Because I’m going to set the whole family to work on making sure that when she comes, we all show her how great a life she could have if she moved here.”

Ty grinned. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, but don’t go thinking it’s just for your sake. I don’t want you to move away – and not because of the kitchen. If you don’t want to work here anymore, I’ll figure it out, but …” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to move away.”

“I don’t want to go – it wouldn’t be my first choice, but if it comes down to it, if that’s what it takes to be with her, then I’m prepared to do it.”

Wade grinned. “I thought it’d be years before you were ready to settle down.”

He grinned back. “Since Kolby met Callie, I was starting to think about it, but I thought it’d take years before I got there – and then Shay came along.”

“Can’t wait to meet her.”

“Yeah. I’ll get her up here as soon as we can work it out.” His smile faded. “I just wish I could have brought her home with me and kept her here, but …”

“You’ll figure it out – and we’ll all have your back while you do.”

---