Page 118 of Johnathan

“Well,” Daisy laughed. “You haven’t heard who her godmother is yet. Hold off on your answer until then.”

“Who?” Sam’s eyes went wide and Abby was already laughing, knowing without a doubt who Daisy would have picked.

“Emma.”

“Hell. You think that wild thing is going to be bailing your daughter out of jail in the middle of the night?”

“No. I think she’ll be sitting beside her on the bench in the cell, and you’ll be there to bailboth of themout.”

Sam laughed, his hand moving over his heart.

“You okay?” Abby jumped up and moved to his side.

“I’m fine, Abs. I can’t believe my heart tried to take me out and I would have missed all this joy.” He turned back to Daisy. “I’d be honored to be Madison’s godfather, even when that means bailing her and Emma out of the slammer in twenty years.”

“Good. Now, there’s another matter we need to discuss.”

“Uh oh.” Sam’s eyes went wide as Daisy dropped her bag onto the chair beside him and pulled out her laptop.

“We need to post a job ad for your office manager.”

“I’m not sure?—”

“Don’t you dare. It’s not negotiable. If you’re worried about the cost, I’ve been talking to Emma and Seb, and they both agree investing in a local ranch would be great for the town. Sebastian wanted me to draw up the numbers for him to see, but he’s all in for paying the salary until you are back on your feet.”

“No. I can’t let him do that. I’ve been meaning to find a replacement for Mickey for over a year now. It’s time. It might have taken my heart stopping for me to figure it out, but I’ve got a second chance, and I’m not going to muck it up.”

Abby sniffled, wiping the tear away from her eye. God, she was just so happy he’d agreed to take on some help. There was only so much Zeke and Derrick could do. Having someone in the office with him was going to be such a relief.

“You okay?” Sam opened his hand and Abby slid hers on top and clasped down.

“Yeah, just happy you’re finally listening to reason.”

“Had to happen sometime. Didn’t really think I was that stubborn, but I guess my body did.”

“So, shall I type up a job listing and start posting it online? I think I’ve found at least four places where we could put it up.”

“Alright. Yeah. Thanks, Daisy.”

Abby stood. “I’ll leave you guys to it. I need to get back to Bell Ridge for Katy’s dance class tonight, but if you need anything, call me immediately.”

“I’m fine. I’ll be just fine. You’ll be back tomorrow?”

“Duh. I’ll be here every day until we get to break you out. Besides, someone needs to get you settled in at home, and I have a feeling Mom is going to be too busy cooking you heart healthy food and arranging her crystals in a certain healing pattern to really pay attention.”

“Ease up on her, yeah?”

“No promises.”

Thirty-Five

“That smells so good.” Abby jumped as John slid his hands around her waist, sticking his finger into the classic red tomato sauce she’d been working on all afternoon. She’d been lost in thought, trying to think of everything she needed to bring out to the ranch with her for Thanksgiving.

Sam had been home for a week, and she’d been traveling out to the ranch nearly every day to check on him. Katy loved going to see the horses, and had even started begging John to let her try riding. Sam was apparently her new partner in crime, because he hadn’t stopped texting the both of them little pink saddles and cowgirl hats. He was taking his unofficial uncle status very seriously.

“Oh, shit! That’s hot!”

“Bad word, Daddy!”

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