Page 20 of Wrangled Love

“Hmm… what about Ziggy?” Briar asks.

Caleb tips his head, considering the name before giving us a thumbs-up.

Briar lets out an exaggerated breath, wiping her brow with a flourish. “Phew! I was afraid you wouldn’t like that one. It’s my favorite too, but Jensen was a strong contender,” she says with a wink in my direction before leaning down to pat the goat. “Welcome home, Ziggy.”

One thing is certain—Julie was right. Between the way Caleb lights up around Briar, how naturally she connects with him, and the fact that we’re living under the same roof, she’d be the ideal person to be his nanny. And frankly, the only person aside from Julie that I trust right now to leave him with, even for a few hours. Now I just have to hope she agrees.

It turns out that saying yes to bringing Ziggy home was the right decision. I almost told Birdie no when she called in a panic on my way home earlier, since I wasn’t sure how Jensen would feel about a goat running around. But when she started to beg, and her voice wavered as she fought back tears, I caved. She has the biggest heart, and when she’s fighting for something small and helpless, it’s impossible not to rally behind her.

Jensen and I are on the back porch watching Caleb and Ziggy play in the grass. Mostly, Ziggy keeps gently headbutting Caleb’s shins while he laughs like it’s the best game ever. Judging by the stunned look on Jensen’s face, this is the happiest he’s seen him.

“Thanks for introducing Caleb to Ziggy,” he finally says, breaking the silence. “Who would’ve guessed a baby goat could get him to open up like this?” He motions to Caleb, kneeling on the ground as Ziggy climbs into his lap.

“It’s good to see him easing into things,” I say with a smile.

“Today’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh,” Jensen whispers, his gaze fixed on the ground.

I place a hand on his arm, waiting until his eyes find mine. “It’s beautiful.”

My heart aches for him. One minute, he was a bachelor, running a successful tech empire, and the next, he’s raising a son he didn’t know existed until a couple of weeks ago. He’s at the mercy of circumstances he never saw coming and has been forced to figure things out as he goes.

Jensen’s eyes flicker to my hand resting on his forearm, lingering for a beat before meeting mine with something unguarded and intense, sending heat to my cheeks. I ease my hand back, praying he didn’t notice my reluctance to let go.

I clear my throat, forcing a casual tone. “How did the open house go?”

He leans back, bracing his palms against the concrete. “Fine. He didn’t engage much with the other kids, but Julie thinks he’ll come around.”

“What do you think?”

I shift to face him, drawing my legs to my chest and resting my head on my knee while waiting for his reply. Jensen’s face tightens, and just when I wonder if I’ve overstepped, he answers.

“It’s tempting to shield Caleb from every challenge, but I know it won’t benefit him in the long run. After talking with his therapist and from what I’ve observed myself, I think the most growth will happen when he’s able to step outside his comfort zone and learn to trust again. Right now, everything around him is strange and unfamiliar, but I’m hopeful that he has the resilience to overcome the painful adjustment and can start his healing journey.” He glances across the yard where Caleb grins as he pets Ziggy, now curled up in his lap. “It won’t be easy to stand on the sidelines and let him spend hours at camp, but having Julie around if he needs anything makes it more manageable.”

I’m not surprised by his sentiment. Julie has been a haven for so many kids in Bluebell—Jensen and me included. She’s myinspiration for wanting to create a nonprofit where I can provide a safe, healing space for kids, including those with emotional scars.

I’ve offered a few pop-up events that have been at capacity, but the long-term vision is to offer seasonal camps and year-round therapeutic horseback riding at the ranch to help kids build trust, self-assurance, and learn emotional regulation. There’s a vacant stretch of land near the cow pastures that Heath offered for the center I want to build on. But I’m holding off until I can fund the project myself. It’s important that I prove I can do it on my own.

Given my mom’s history of taking advantage of people in this town, the last thing I want is to be seen as someone coasting on the Halsteads’ name or looking for handouts. This is why I live in the cottage in exchange for making improvements, save every penny I make from managing the cabins, and help out around the ranch.

Jensen pushes up from his hands, shifting forward, rubbing them together before folding his arms. “Listen, I have a proposition for you, and I want you to hear me out before you answer.”

I sit up straight, resting my hands on my knees. “Intriguing. Do go on.”

“I’ve been on leave since I learned about Caleb, but I can’t put work off much longer. The plan is to work remotely from the cottage, which means I’ll need someone to watch him in the afternoons once camp lets out at noon.”

“Is this the part where you offer me a job I didn’t apply for?” I say, though I’m only half joking.

Jensen runs a hand through his hair, looking uneasy. “I am,” he admits. “Julie suggested you as a possibility and said Heath could probably spare you for the summer if you’re open to it,” he adds quickly.

“What about the daycare on Main Street? Mama Julie’s friend runs it, and I bet she’d make room for Caleb.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not comfortable leaving Caleb with someone who may not be sympathetic to his situation,” he explains.

I bite down on my bottom lip, conflicted. “I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

It could be my imagination, but I swear Jensen’s expression falters with disappointment. “Do you mind me asking what’s holding you back? Is it the pay? I’ll match what I’d offer someone in New York, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

I shake my head. “It’s not about the money.”

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