Page 121 of Training the Heart

“I’ve already got the only girl I need. I’ve got Mabes.”

“And you always have Lexington,” Ginger adds and giggles.

Everyone in earshot turns to her.

“What? A whole town is hard to give up, is all I’m saying,” Ginger says innocently.

“Jealous?” Cole grins, turning his hat backward, then sits and leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

Ginger stalls for a minute and then retorts with a little more fire than warranted.

“Bite your tongue, Cole Ashby. I’m a lady.” She crosses her arms and looks directly at him.

“Probably for the best anyway, he’s a little afraid of you, he’s told me.” Nash grins.

Cole gives him a heated look so I chime in, “True story, he’s definitely afraid of you.”

“Fuck you both,” Cole says at the same time as Ginger says, “He should be.”

“I just have one question,” Pop speaks up over all of us from the other side of the room.

We all turn to face him.

“Did anyone break the news to Wade that he’s no longer the boss? Cause if not, I want to do it.”

“I’m still the boss,” I say immediately and with confidence, which for some reason makes everyone in my family laugh.

I look down at Ivy, who is giggling with them.

“I mean, are you really?” she asks, biting her bottom lip.

“You can be the boss some of the time,” I say as I lean down to whisper to her as if I’m not totally under her spell. Which I am, every minute of every day.

“Whatever gets you through the day, bud,” she says, laughing, giving me two thumbs up.

Yep, she’s definitely one of them, and I don’t mind one fucking bit.

“Come with me, we’re leaving early,” I say in Ivy’s ear when dinner is done and she’s thanked Nash for about the tenth time for what he did to help her mother.

“I have to help clean up.”

“No, you don’t. I played the pregnancy card, you’re tired, it’s been a long day.”

Ivy grins, hand on her hip, defiant. “I have no intention of playing a pregnancy card. I’d be happy to clean up.”

“I know you would, but I have a surprise for you and I need to make sure I have time to make you come at least twice beforeyou send me into the kitchen to slave over whatever kind of ice cream sundae you and little bean feel like tonight.”

She grins and it lights up my fucking soul.

“You’re not lying,” she admits as she shrugs, giving in.

I know I’ve piqued her curiosity—Ivy’s eyes gleam with excitement.

“Do I have to change before this surprise?” She looks down at her tights and hoodie and I shake my head.

“No, we’re not going far.” I chuckle.

“Wade Ashby, what are you up to?” she asks as I set her shoes in front of her.

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