Page 112 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Tanner gave him a puzzled look. “So, if that wasn’t the question, why were you asking how he’s doing?”

Cash shrugged. “He’s my next target.”

For a second, Tanner froze. There was no way that Cash could mean that the way it sounded.

Cash laughed out loud. “For fuck’s sake, Tan! Even I’m not that bad. Surely you know that I didn’t mean what you thought.”

Tanner let out a short laugh. “I hope so, but what do you mean if not that?”

Cash grinned. “I mean that now you and Everly are together; he’s the last one still single.”

Tanner couldn’t keep the note of disbelief out of his voice as he asked, “You’re not telling me that you plan to play matchmaker for him, are you?”

“I have to.”

“I don’t get it – why do you have to? The two of you don’t exactly get along.”

“I need to see all of you settled. Even Ford. It’s time to bury the hatchet. And besides, I gave him enough time to figure it out for himself, and he hasn’t made a move.”

“A move? What do you mean?”

“Are you seriously telling me that you don’t know?”

“Not a clue.”

Cash chuckled. “So, he doesn’t talk about it?”

“I don’t know! You’d have to give me a clue before I can answer that.”

“If he doesn’t talk about it, that means either he doesn’t have a clue himself, or he’s playing it close to his chest. Either way, it’s not my place to bring it out in the open – yet.”

Tanner punched at him playfully, but Cash caught his fist and chuckled. “You can get as frustrated as you like, but you know damn well I’m not going to say anything until I’m ready. And I won’t be ready until Ford is – even if I need to help him get there.”

Tanner blew out a sigh. “Fair enough. If you’re not going to explain, I’m going to go see Zeke, he just arrived.”

“Hang on, let me have a word with him first. I can’t stay all afternoon, and I need to talk to him. You can have him when I’m done.”

“Okay.”

As Cash walked away, he went over to check in with Everly, who was now talking to Laney and Callie. The way she was cooing over baby Levi who was sitting on Callie’s lap, waving his chubby little fists, made him wonder how she felt about babies, if she’d want more kids – with him.

When he reached them, he leaned in to drop a kiss on her lips.

Laney laughed. “This is so freaking cool, I never thought I’d see the day.” She reached over and tapped Everly’s arm. “Thank you.”

Everly gave her a puzzled look. “What for?”

Laney laughed again. “For being you, for being real – for being so awesome. You have no idea how much I dreaded Tanner finally meeting someone he wanted to settle down with.”

“Why?” Everly still looked puzzled, but Tanner knew exactly what his sister meant.

“Because I didn’t think whoever it was would be someone I’d get along with. Definitely not someone I’d want to hang out with like you. And the fact that you come complete with a ready-made mini cowboy just makes it all the better.”

“Thanks,” said Everly. She looked up at Tanner and laughed. “I’m just glad that we seem to fit in.”

Tanner opened his mouth to reassure her, but his sister beat him to it.

“You more than just fit in,” said Laney. “I said that first night we met you that you could be one of us, and now, here you are – one of us. Aww, look. Ashton’s one of us, too, he’s just like the rest of us – hanging around, hoping to get a word with Cash.”

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