Page 21 of A Touch of Cowboy

Barry snagged the tablet back from Will, then handed it to MaryAnn. “I was just telling your brother how great it’d be if he bought the ranch up near Durieu.”

MaryAnn’s gaze shot to Will’s.

His heart took a knock. She’d never say it, but obviously the idea of having him close meant everything to her.

“And I know a great realtor—Cadence Crawford. I suspect he’d get you a great deal.” Barry grinned.

Reflecting on the price Will’d seen, he wasn’t certain much negotiating would be necessary. He had that much in the bank.

Darla’s life-insurance policy proceeds.

And exactly what she’d want him to spend them on. Oh, this wasn’t a cattle ranch. He wouldn’t be assisting in birthing any more cows, that was for sure. But he’d be riding. His first love. And, even better, teaching other people to ride. And taking them up into the hills?

Sounded like bliss.

“Hey, what’s up?” Avery poked her head into the living room. Her cheeks were pink, likely from the heat in the kitchen. Her blonde hair was a little tousled, and her bright-blue eyes sparkled.

“Will’s buying a ranch just north of Mission City. He’s going to give trail rides.” MaryAnn handed the table to Avery.

Whose gaze shot to Will’s.

No missing the anticipation in that expression. She quickly schooled it, aiming for neutral. The twinkle in her eye gave her away. “You think you’d be happy here? Away from the wide-open range?”

He held her gaze. “Yeah, I really think I could.”

She held the tablet out. “What are you waiting for?”

“It’s Christmas Day,” he protested.

Barry was already pulling out his cell phone. “I’ll text Cadence. You don’t want to lose out.”

Despite himself, Will laughed. “No grass growing under your feet.” He nudged his brother-in-law.

“Nor yours. I’m sure he won’t—” Barry’s phone rang. After checking the caller ID, he handed it to Will.

Will swiped, certain his life was about to change forever.

Epilogue

Averyshieldedhereyesfrom the blinding morning sun.

Will wrapped his arms around her from behind, gently sliding his hands along her swollen belly.

She angled her head back to nip his jaw. “I can’t believe I’m missing the first official trail ride.”

He snickered. “Uh, you were the one who saidlet’s ditch the condoms and the pill, and whatever happens, well, happens?”

An indelicate snort came from her. “How was I supposed to know you had such strong swimmers?”

Not the first time they’d had this discussion. Avery had fought through the morning sickness to maintain her rigorous counselling schedule while Will had worked hard to bring the ranch up to snuff. Although the operations were solid, some things had fallen by the wayside over the past several years as the elderly owners had struggled to maintain the ranch and the heavy schedule. When they’d met Will and Avery, they’d been happy to sell the property, knowing a horse-loving couple would be taking over. Will had moved in with Avery pretty much after Christmas, and they’d stayed in her townhouse until the ranch house had been ready to inhabit. Their contractor, Jacob, had fixed everything up in record time, and they moved in on Valentine’s Day

By then, Avery was three weeks pregnant. Her doctor was a little surprised at how quickly that’d happened.

Now, as the rains of April had departed and the May sunshine arrived, they were prepared for the first trail ride.

Naturally, Kennedy, Rainbow, Justin, Stanley, Angus, and Opal were to be the first to try out the easy trail. Well, Opal would be on Stanley’s horse with him, but Angus, who’d been attending Healing Horses for years as a patient, had a good seat. Justin would keep an eye on him, but Will told her he wasn’t concerned for the young man. Tomorrow, MaryAnn, Barry, and their kids would come up. The day after that, Denise, her son Adam, and Max the psychiatrist would take a ride along with Dickens and his husband Spike. That promised to be fun, as the proprietor of the bookstore and his motorcycle-loving husband had never been on a horse before.

Avery loved books, so Will often snuck into The Owl’s Nest to find her something special. Apparently Dickens had tactfully pointed out Mission City had an excellent library, which Will said he appreciated, but he liked the little gifts for his fiancée. They planned to be wed in June when her parents were back from their safari in Africa. Her parents adored him. Even more so, he was helping to make them grandparents.

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