Page 39 of Heart of the West

“She’s opening a bakery in Wolf Creek. She’s currently bailing my ass out.”

I briefly explain the Christmas situation. Gillian takes it all in.

“You like her.”

“What?! Where the hell did that come from.”

“She’s the cream in your coffee.”

I bite back the denial. She gasps.

“Oh, my God! You slept with her.”

I hang my head. Shame washing over me. I hear her move before I feel her hand on my shoulder.

“Effrem Dalton James, you stop that right now. Evie wouldn’t be happy about you being ashamed of caring for someone else.”

“It wasn’t caring. It was sex.”

“Was it? You wouldn’t have had sex with her unless you have feelings. If that’s the case, you’d have had sex long before now.”

“I’m not ready to have this conversation with you or anyone, including myself. Do you think you can help her?”

I held Gillian’s gaze. She’s two years younger than I am with skin a few shades darker and lavender blue eyes. She’s absolutely stunning. Everyone assumed we would get together, but it’s never been like that with us. We’re good friends, best friends.

“Yes, I can help her. This prenup is ironclad and screws him to the wall if what you say is true. I’ll get my PI’s on it immediately. I’m filing for an emergency injunction and petitioning to move the divorce here. There’s no doubt in my mind these papers were on file at some point. He has someone on the inside willing to break the law. I have a contact with the Feds.”

“Thank you, Gill.”

“Hey, I’ve got your back. Now, when do I get to meet Ruby?”

“Why don’t you come by for dinner tonight. I’ll let Ruby know we’re having one more. I think you’ll like her.”

“If she has you this twisted on top of bailing your ass out, I already like her. Now go get my kids.”

I laugh. Gillian is my kids god-mother. She’s been there for Jessi more times than I can count. Sometimes a girl needs another woman around. I hug her again before heading downstairs to the cafe to pick up Tillie. I sent her in for a drink and a snack while I took care of business.

She has her nose buried in her phone.

“Ready?”

She looks up with a smile. “I’m ready.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re waiting by the luggage carousel for everyone to arrive. They’re coming from three different flights. All arriving within minutes of each other. I don’t know how my daughter managed that miracle.

Dalton is the first to arrive. He has a ranch outside of Taos, New Mexico. His face lit up when he saw Tillie beside me. He hugs her first.

“Squirt, you’re all grown up.”

She laughs, then her face gets serious. “Don’t call me that in front of your brother.”

Dalton smiles. “Yes, ma’am.”

I laugh at their antics. Clyde arrives next. He looks surprised to see Tillie.

“Tillie, you came to welcome me home.”

She smiles and hurries to him. I get his luggage off the conveyor while they talk. A few minutes later, Jessi arrives with her boyfriend and his parents. The kid’s tall. He has me by three inches putting him at six-five or close to it.

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