Page 118 of Rope Me In

“Good point. Blake!” she yells over to her. Blake looks up from our daughter with an amused smile. “Jamie can have another slice.”

Gavin groans as Presley and I laugh.

“You said you’d take her,” I remind him.

“Just remember,” Gavin shoots back. “Payback is a bitch.”

This time, Presley and I are groaning. Something tells me my brother’s kid is going to be stubborn as hell. But I smile at the image of our kids playing together, a new generation of Montgomerys—but girls this time. It’s going to be wonderful and frightening all at once, but I can’t wait for it. I know Gran and Momma are excited, too. They love having Jamie around because it “keeps them young,” and they can’t wait for a second granddaughter.

After Presley leaves to join Blake and Jamie, Gavin and I take off down the path around the property. We’re having an off week for the dude ranch, so there are no guests around, but some of the workers are milling about.

Once we’re out of earshot, Gavin clears his throat. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

I hear the nervousness in his tone, so I clap him on the back. “It’s nothing bad, Gav. Take it easy.”

Gavin releases a breath then cracks a small smile. “Okay. It was just the last time we went on a walk, you told me you wanted to move to Texas again full-time and build a house on the property, so…”

This time, I punch him in the shoulder. “Jackass.”

He chuckles. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. You know I love having you here with us.”

I nod. Idoknow that. After Presley amicably left the band she met through Jake at Night Hawk, we moved to Nashville for a while since she’d been working there so much. But when she got pregnant, we both decided we wanted to be closer to family so Jamie could grow up like I did. That was important to Presley, especially since she didn’t have parents or extended family who cared about her growing up.

So as soon as it made sense, I asked Gavin if we could build a place on our land. He was shocked to say the least, but it didn’t take a genius to see how happy he was. He also reminded me itwas my land, too—a fact that he solidified even more when he added my name to the deed after Jamie was born.

Seven years ago, I didn’t want it, didn’t think I needed it anymore. But I understood why Gavin included me—not only because he knew Dad would’ve wanted it, but also because my child, and now his child, deserve to share in the legacy we all built.

“So what is it?” Gavin asks, breaking me from my thoughts. “Do you want to build a bigger house because Presley is pregnant again?”

I think my eyes turn into saucers. “No, no, nothing like that. I mean, not that I don’t want another Jamie, but not right now. I think my wife is in the same boat. And the house is plenty big as it is.”

Gavin smirks. “Then what is it?”

I look out over our land, the land we’ve all worked so hard to save and build into something truly amazing over the years. “Blake and I talked this morning.”

“About what?”

I stick my hands in my pockets and stop to face my brother. He pauses, staring at me with a curious gaze.

“She mentioned you said something about wanting to name your baby after Dad but you were nervous to ask me about it.”

Gavin’s lips press together. “I’m sorry, Kade. She shouldn’t have said anything.”

I clap my brother on the shoulder and give him a reassuring squeeze. “No, I’m glad she did. I think it’s a great idea.”

He stares at me cautiously, as if he thinks I’m lying. “Really?”

“I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a girl named Emmett before, but Ididname my kid James for Presley’s last name, so...”

That has Gavin barking out a laugh. “We’d name her Emmy.”

I grin so wide my cheeks hurt. Blake had already told me, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to tease my brother. “That’s a way better idea.”

He shakes his head, and we fall in step next to each other again.

“I didn’t know how you’d feel about it,” he says a moment later.

“Truthfully, I was shocked when Blake told me. But I’m not upset. I could’ve named Jamie after him, but I liked the idea of carrying on Presley’s name with her. And you have to admit, my kid looks like a Jamie,” I say proudly.

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