Page 39 of Falling Stars

Me: Can you guys all be at the ranch in an hour?

Jace: Is it important? I might have to cancel a date.

Beau: I just got off a three-day shift at the firehouse. I stink.

Rhett: Sure thing.

Paige: I have homemadequeso!

Jace: Date is now rescheduled.

Beau: I’ll grab a quick shower.

Rhett: Let me charge the iPad.

I know my oldest brother thinks we’ll be video-chatting, and I don’t bother to correct him. Everything will be easier if I do this in person.

Isaiah: Holy shit. I got a signal for once.

My eyes widen. We haven’t heard from Isaiah in ages.

Jace: Whoa. You’re still alive.

Beau: I thought an anaconda had eaten you.

Rhett: You’re long overdue for a visit, asshole.

I chuckle. Isaiah got kicked out by my douchebag father several years ago, so he took off to South America where he does extreme sports tours. He hasn’t been home in years. He keepssaying he’ll visit, but no one believes him. Frankly, I’m just glad he’s not dead.

I help Baylee pack Leo’s stuff. “I had no idea babies needed so much crap. Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, blankets, butt ointment. The list goes on and on.”

She smiles as she kisses Leo and puts him in the basket and then grabs the overloaded diaper bag.

“Woman, please let me carry something. I have two legs that function fine.” At least they do now.

“You’re not supposed to carry heavy things.”

My eyes narrow. “Did you talk to Rhett?”

“I didn’t talk to anyone. It’s called common sense. I’m guessing you need to take it easy if you ever want to play football again.”

Those words shouldn’t feel painful, but they do. “At least let me carry the diaper bag.” Because no one will get hurt if I drop that.

She finally acquiesces, and we head down to her car, where she straps Leo into his car seat.

The drive to the ranch is quiet. The closer we get, the sweatier my palms become.

Right before the turnoff to the ranch, Baylee sighs. “I’ve always adored that house. Is it weird I’m strangely obsessed with their wraparound porch and white picket fence? And don’t get me started about their garden. Ugh, it’s gorgeous.”

I don’t need to look to know she’s talking about the Three Oaks Farm. She’s loved the Fergusons’ property since we were kids. “You wouldn’t rather have a new house?”

“They don’t have the same charm.”

When we pull up to the ranch, she parks along the side, next to Beau’s truck. I feel useless as I watch her unstrap Leo. What kind of man can’t carry a fourteen-pound baby? Ishouldbe ableto do that, but I know she saw me wobble last night, so of course she has reservations now.

Irritated with my body for not being the machine I trained it to be, I walk beside her as we make our way to the house. She’s about to knock when I reach out and open the door. “Honey, we’re home!” I shout.

All my brothers, Paige, and the kids freeze when they see me. Beau has Austin under one arm and a baby goat under the other.

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