Page 84 of The Cowboy's Unlikely Love

Everly froze, and Tanner understood why. She was no doubt scared of how he would react to Ashton’s words. He squeezed her hand. He didn’t know if she’d believe him if he told her.

“We’re just dating,” she said.

Tanner couldn’t help it; he winked at Ashton. “But it would be kind of cool if we could move you guys to Montana, wouldn’t it?”

Everly swung her head around to look at him, and he winked at her, too.

Chapter Twenty

By the time they were almost to the ranch, Ashton was still fascinated by everything he could see outside the window. He’d fallen in love with Tanner’s truck the moment he laid eyes on it. Apparently, Ty and Shayna had delivered it to the airport for him so that he’d be able to drive them home himself. When Tanner had opened the door, Ashton had scrambled into the back seat as if he were a mountain goat. Even though it was dark outside, he kept exclaiming about the river, about how big, and dark the sky was, and about all the stars.

Everly loved seeing him so enthusiastic. She’d told Tanner that he was on the quiet side, but she wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t believe her.

As the truck slowed, Ashton pressed his nose up against the window. “MacFarland Ranch,” he read the sign that hung above the entrance to the driveway. “And you’re Tanner MacFarland. That’s so cool!”

Tanner chuckled. “It is, but I’m not as cool as you might think. It’s not just my ranch. You’ll get to meet most of my family this weekend. The first one you’ll probably see is Ford. He lives in the big house with me.”

“What are all their names again?” Ashton asked.

“Cash is the oldest. He doesn’t live here, but he’s home this weekend so you’ll get to meet him. Then, from oldest to youngest, there’s Ford, Wade, then me. Next are my sisters, Laney and Janey – they’re twins. And Ty and Kolby are the youngest – they’re twins, too.”

“You guys all have such cool names.”

Everly shot Tanner an apologetic look. This had to be the fourth time that Ashton had asked about his siblings. He just smiled; he seemed to be enjoying it.

“I think Ashton’s a cool name. And Everly is, too.”

“Yeah, but not like you guys.Tanner MacFarland.”

Everly laughed at the way he said it – he sounded like he was introducing one of the contenders in a boxing match.

“I likeAshton Welsh,” Tanner announced in the same tone. “I think that sounds cool.”

“Meh.”

Everly shook her head. Ashton’s disinterested tone felt like a mini preview of what it would be like to deal with him as a teenager – she wasn’t looking forward to it.

Tanner pulled the truck around the back of the house. “Anyway, here we are. Wait right there.” He got out of the truck.

As he walked around to the passenger side, Ashton unfastened his seat belt and leaned forward between the seats. “He’s awesome, Mom! Thanks for saying that we could come here.”

She ruffled his hair. “I’m glad you’re excited about it. I know you wanted to see Montana.”

“Montana’s awesome. But Tanner’s even better.”

Tanner opened Ashton’s door. “Do you need a hand?”

“I’m good.”

Everly turned but couldn’t see, so she held her breath as she listened to her son jump to the ground and land on the gravel.

Tanner opened her door with a smile. “Don’t worry, Mama, he made it safe.” He offered her his hand to help her down, and she took it gratefully – it was a long way to the ground.

“We can leave the bags here for now; I’ll come back out for them later. Let’s show you around first.”

“Awesome,” said Ashton. “I want to see. And I can help you get the bags.”

Tanner led them up the steps to the back porch. He held the door open for them and ushered them into the kitchen.

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