Iris noticed me first, coming to give me a hug. “Hey girl, how ya doin? Oh my god, I love the hair!”
“I was finally able to sneak in a haircut,” I said, hugging her back. As we pulled away, I felt their gaze.
“Damn, you look amazing.” Atlas came over to me and lifted me up.
“You look great, Atlas.” I muttered.
“Rent-a-cowboy at your service,” he said in his husky voice.
He set me down and he looked at my lips before stepping away.
“Jesus, woman, you look great,” Colt growled, hugging me. “I've missed you.”
He nuzzled against me.
“I've missed you too,” I sighed, realizing how true that was.
We hadn’t seen each other last weekend and much of last week because they had to go out of town for an auction. They hauled a lot of cattle, and it was a tiresome process, so Sol and I stayed out of their way. Even Atlas and Theo’s brother went with them.
“Momma!” Sol yelled from the horse. “Look at me!”
“You look like a real cowgirl,” I said, noticing a pair of pink boots and a jacket that had fur on the neckline.
Her cheeks were rosy from the cool air, and she looked so carefree and relaxed.
“Look what they got me at the auctions!” She grinned.
“You look adorable,” I said, as she threw herself at me.
“Momma, I love your hair,” she said, running her little hands through it. “Doesn’t my momma look beautiful, Teddy Bear?”
I narrowed my eyes at her when Theo said, “Your momma always looks beautiful.”
His deep rumble made butterflies dance in my stomach.
Sol seemed ecstatic from his answer, making me even more suspicious of her.
“Momma, I think I’m going to become a barrel racer,” Sol said excitedly, as I carried her away to the small sitting area where they had a fire going.
“A barrel racer?” I tensed, wondering what the hell that was. “What the hell are you getting my child into?”
I looked at the guys.
“She’s a natural.” Theo shrugged his shoulders. “Jude, this is Nova, Sol’s mom.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” Jude said, with a hint of a southern drawl like Theo.
“Nice to meet you too.” I nodded, grabbing a chair by the fire.
“She’s so cute and she’s a natural at riding.” Iris sat by me as Sol talked our ears off about barrel racing.
“Thanks,” I said, feeling that rush of love I got whenever I looked at Sol.
Ok, maybe not every time, but most of the time. It was hard being a mom and while I had days where I absolutely adored Sol, there were days where I wondered if I had made the right choice in becoming a mother.
“I’ve always wanted a sister-in-law who lived closer.” Iris grinned.
“What makes you think?—”