Page 99 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

Had anyone outside of my family ever called me by the nickname, I would’ve bristled. But Cord felt like my family—the one he and I would create together. “I can’t wait to see Colorado. I’m sure I’ll love it.”

The playful expression on his face morphed into one more serious. “It won’t be a prerequisite for us being together, you know?”

“I do, but Cord, it’s your home.”

He shook his head. “Home is wherever you and I decide to make it.”

I thought back to my mother’s words shortly after Cord and I met. “When you love someone, it isn’t about where you live. Home is where they are,” she’d said. I’d scoffed then, but no more.

“I feel the same way. I don’t care where we live as long as we’re together.”

“You love East Aurora.”

“I love you more.”

30

CORD

Juni and I slept on the plane ride from the airport in Buffalo until we landed in Gunnison. After deboarding, Decker asked if he could have a moment to speak with me alone.

I wanted to tell him that whatever he had to tell me, he could say in front of Juni. However, he seemed almost as troubled as he’d been yesterday.

“What’s up?” I asked after I’d escorted Juni to the SUV waiting for us on the tarmac.

“I made contact with Richard Langley during the flight,” he began. “When I asked if we could stop by his office before continuing on to the ranch, he informed me he’d already requested a meeting with the rest of your siblings. It’s scheduled to take place at fourteen hundred hours.”

I knew from Buck that Porter had been released on bail while awaiting trial, but hadn’t heard when that might be.

“I also spoke with Sterling Anderson, who I asked to take a look at the Roaring Fork Trust back when Buck received his orders.” The way his brow furrowed concerned me.

“Whatever is on your mind, just say it.”

“There may be something we missed.”

“Maybe?”

“I’ll know more when we meet with the lawyers.”

“Decker, is there a chance…” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. If Six-pack had double-crossed us and my siblings and I were about to lose the ranch, I wasn’t sure what I’d do. This wasn’t about me; it was about the rest of them. If my actions were the cause, I’d never forgive myself.

“Whatever you’re thinking, it isn’t it.”

“We haven’t already lost everything?”

Decker scowled. “Of course not. I would never have let that happen.”

If those words had been spoken by anyone else, I wondered if I’d believe them. Coming from Deck, I had no doubt he meant it.

“There’s still a lot we don’t know. Most pertains to your mother coming to Colorado and how she met your father. I also have strong suspicions that Miss Cenaplayed a part in all of it.” He looked over at the SUV. “Let’s get some lunch. By the time we do, Hammer should be here.”

“Hammer?”

“The other attorney.”

“Just to clarify, the meeting is in two hours, right?”

Rather than answer, he raised a brow.

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