Page 7 of Darling Bride

Ryder Ranch raises cattle, like the surrounding ranches do, but Deacon also prides himself on breeding some of the best barrel racers in the state. He does a lot of business with men from Texas, Wyoming, and even Ohio. It’s not uncommon that he needs Sovereign or Westin’s help with transportation.

Over the years, Deacon, Westin, and Sovereign have gotten a lot closer. After everything that happened on our wedding night, it’s hard not to be friends.

Keira, Ella, and I go to the back of the barn. In the brooder box are two dozen chickens, cuddled up in the pine shavings.

“Are they meat hens?” I ask.

Keira shakes her head. “Laying hens. Maddie wanted them, she ran low on eggs last summer.”

Sovereign appears behind her, wrapping an arm absently around her waist. “What’s Westin doing? I’m surprised he’s not up here with you.”

I sigh, hands on my hips. “He gave River one of the colts.”

Sovereign’s face stays the same, but his brow twitches. “Maybe I’ll head down there and have a look at it.”

The timer in Keira’s apron goes off and she heads into the kitchen with Sovereign. I spend a little time with Ella, holding the chicks. Then we go inside and have lunch together in the main hall. Around the end of our meal, Cash appears through the front door. Allison comes in behind him and takes a plate, sitting down at my side.

“Are you ready to head back after lunch?” I ask.

She nods, cutting a chunk of beef. “Yeah, I should probably get to the chores.”

Inside, I want to ask where she went with Cash. But instead, I take a deep breath and let it go. They’re both good kids and sometimes it’s not my business what they talk about or where they go. Instead, I pat her hand and gather up my dishes to take to the kitchen.

Keira sends us home with a fresh blueberry pie. When we get back, Westin is in the kitchen with a glass of water, sweat dripping down his face. Allison hurries up the stairs, leaving us alone.

He holds out his arm. I rest against his side even though he’s sticky with dust.

“How was Sovereign Mountain?” he asks.

I lean my head on his shoulder. For a second, I can’t find the words for the feeling that blossoms in my chest. He turns my face up, studying it.

“You okay?”

I nod, offering a small smile. “I’m just happy. Everyone at Sovereign Mountain is happy too.”

He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m glad, darling.”

He goes back out to the barn to get started on chores. In a little while, Allison joins him. I see them through the window, her standing there in her cowboy hat that’s a little too big on her. River loiters by the paddock, staring through the bars at his colt.

I turn on the radio and pull out my crock pot. The air is a little cooler today than yesterday and I’d like to take Reign out for a ride before dinner. I cut up potatoes, snap green beans, and chop beef into chunks to simmer in thick gravy.

When Westin expanded Carter Farms by buying a strip of Sovereign Mountain Ranch, he and Sovereign drew up a contract where they could share employees. That means I never have to cook for the wranglers and hired hands. Westin pays a little more into the communal paychecks and Sovereign makes sure everyone is fed.

All I have to worry about are my husband and children.

I pop the lid onto the crockpot and set the pie in the fridge. Then, I go upstairs and change into jeans and a t-shirt and pull on my boots. The house is peaceful as I move through it and head to the barn where Reign waits for me.

I don’t have to ask permission for anything these days. If I want to ride free all afternoon, I can.

CHAPTER TWO

WESTIN

The sun sets over Carter Ranch. Slowly, creeping down towards the northern mountains. Then it slips to bed, giving the world a few moments of pure gold before darkness falls.

I stand in the barn, elbows on the dutch door to the back stall. Inside is the black and white colt my son won’t stop talking about. He’s leggy, with big, bright eyes. Truthfully, he reminds me a bit of Rocky, who’s now retired to the back pasture with Sunshine and Gracey. His gait is smoother, luckily for River.

“Dad.”

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