Page 93 of Where We Bloom

“How’s business?” Brandon asks her, and everyone turns their attention to her. They’re truly interested, not simply humoring her, and I love the way Billie squares her shoulders at the question, like the boss she is.

Good fucking girl.

“It’s really great,” she says. “I just promoted Emily to general manager of the store, with Tiffany the assistant manager,andI hired four new employees, one of whom is going to kill it with our online sales.”

Good. This means she’ll be able to leave for a little while and not worry about the business running fine without her.

“I’ve started working with publishers and PR companies on in-store signings, and I’d love to find some graphic designers to start offering special editions that readers can only get from our store. Incorporate it into our monthly book club, and then I could eventually include an online book club.”

She’s so bloody smart. Billie turns me on in every way, always. But when she’s in boss mode, she slays me. Intellectually. Physically. She’s lucky she’s surrounded by her brothers at a family event right now, or I wouldn’t be keeping my hands to myself.

Today, she’s in those jeans that show off her sexyarse, and a tank top, showcasing her strong shoulders. Her hair is up in a thick ponytail, just begging for me to wrap it in my fist. Her makeup is simple and flawless despite being out all day with the horses.

And now she’s talking business, and I’ve never wanted her more.

Her father asked me if I loved her. Fuck, yes, I love every inch of her. Every bit of her. I can’t breathe unless I’m with her, and I’m never letting her go.

I just have to find the right time to tell her because there are still moments when I swear she’s nervous or holding back on me.

And we need to talk about that.

I climb the stairs to the deck, and when Billie notices, her smile spreads, making me feel welcome.

Making me feel at home.

“Everything okay?” she asks, and I tilt my head in question. “Your phone call. It’s Sunday.”

“Ah, yes. Everything’s just fine, bumble.” I kiss her cheek and take the offered beer from Bridger.

“Bumble?” Bridger asks.

“I’m a worker bee,” Billie says before I can tell him it’s none of his business. “You know, always busy. Always fuzzy and cute.”

Bridger snorts at that, and I shake my head at her.

“Always sassy,” I counter.

“I’m going in with the girls.” Billie kisses my cheek and saunters inside, closing the door behind her.

“Congratulations on the wee babe,” I say to Bridger.

“Thanks.” His face softens as he looks toward the door, where the women are beyond. “It was a surprise.”

“You don’t know how babies are made?” Blake asks him, wielding a spatula. “Medically speaking?—”

“Stop,” Holden says. “It’s my sister, man. Don’t make me fuck you up.”

“It wasn’tplanned,” Bridger amends, rolling his eyes. “But we’re thrilled. Birdie is ready to shop for baby clothes and stuff.”

“Your mother and I have some news of our own,” Brandon says, eyeing the door. “We were going to wait to say anything until things were set in stone, but we’re moving home.”

“What?” Beckett asks. “Holy shit, that’s great. Skyla and I can find another?—”

“No,” Brandon says. “We’re not movinghere.This is yours, and I’m happy for you to keep it. I’m done being a farmer, and I’m not coming out of retirement. But we’re moving back to Bitterroot Valley. We’re under contract for a house in town, and the condo in Florida is on the market.”

“Why?” Brooks asks his father.

“Because our family ishere.Our kids, who we’re so damn proud of, are here, and we want to spend more time with you guys. We miss Birdie and all her funny antics, and now there will be a new baby to love on. We don’t like missing out on your lives.”

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