Page 81 of Where We Bloom

“I’m looking forward to getting this project off the ground,” she says as I hear Beckett walk up and join us.

We pile into a UTV with Riley and head over to the cabins on the other side of the property. Just as every time before, when we come around the bend and the mountains are revealed from behind some trees, my breath catches.

The mountains are spread out before us, with a pretty meadow full of wildflowers in the foreground, and it’s simply stunning.

Yes, it’s going to be perfect for our charity.

“We’re thinking about building the lodge over here,” Skyla begins, pointing to just behind the cabins. “The first floor won’t have much of a view, but the second floor, where all the suites would be, will have a great view of those mountains.”

We walk the space, making plans and taking notes,and when we’re finished, I prop my hands on my hips and turn to the man my sister loves.

“You’re sure about this, then?”

“I am,” he says as he wraps his arm around Skyla and tugs her into his side. “I’m still surprised that you want to usemyranch for this, but I love the idea of offering it to families who want some special time together. My guys and I are already planning ahead to horseback rides, lessons, and tours of the dairy operation, if people want it. And we can put together information for fishing and rafting guides, hiking excursions, all kinds of things.”

“I think that’s excellent,” I reply with a nod. “We’ll finish the plans for the lodge, and if all goes as intended, we should open by spring. In the meantime, you’re losing revenue because you’ve stopped offering nightly rentals here.”

“It won’t break me.” He shrugs.

“I’m going to pay you what your normal average monthly revenue would be from now until we’re able to open next year.”

“No.” Beckett shakes his head, and Skyla clamps her lips closed, holding back a grin. “I don’t need the money.”

“You told me last year that you depend on that money.”

“The dairy’s doing well enough to make up the difference.”

“I don’t fecking care.” I shake my head. “You don’t need to struggle while we’re gearing up for this. Consider it coming from Skyla if you don’t want it from me.”

“I don’t want it from her, either.”

I raise an eyebrow, and now Skyla snorts.

“It’s fun to watch the pair of you spar back and forth,” she says. “You’re both so bleeding stubborn, I’ll be interested to see who wins.”

“I’m not with your sister for her money.”

“No one thinks you are,” I reply. “I never said that.”

We stare each other down for a couple of minutes, and then Beckett glances down at my sister.

“No.”

“We’ll revisit this conversation,” I reply. “Changing the subject, I’d like to fly your parents here in time for Sunday dinner this weekend.”

Beckett scowls. “Why?”

“Because Billie misses them, and I caught her crying this afternoon because of it, and I can fix that. Billie doesn’t need to be crying over anything at all.”

Skyla’s smile is a mile wide.

“Are you going to tell me what the fuck’s going on between you and my sister?” Beckett asks.

“I’m falling in love with her.”

He blinks at that, and Skyla’s eyes fill with tears.

“Oh, Connor.” She sniffles and wipes her cheek. “Oh, that’s lovely. She’s my best friend, and?—”

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