Page 109 of Knot Her Cowboys
The family resemblance between them was honestly uncanny, almost every child taking heavily after their mother’s softer features. A few of the men had short hair, but most wore it long in braids. Those who worked in construction had the mark of it on their skin, being several shades darker than the others from the kiss of the sun.
“It’s great to meet all of you. You did an A+ job raising Dakota.”
His mother beamed at me. “I’ve always thought so.”
Before I could get drawn into any conversation, Carter and his pack arrived. He was cute as a fucking button right at the front of everyone, barreling straight into a hug with me.
“Hey there, bookworm. You certainly grew up.” Not as much as I’d expected, though, and he smelled distinctly sweet. Apparently Carter had presented as an omega, insisting on being the opposite to Cash in designation as well as personality, even though they physically looked incredibly similar besides height.
“I’m glad you’re back.” Carter kept his arm around me as he introduced his pack that followed him at a slower pace. “These are my alphas, Wyatt and Colt.”
“Pleasure to meet the famous Riley.” Wyatt extended his hand with a smile on his face.
I tucked mine in for a handshake. “Pleasure’s all mine.” I turned to Carter. “You been talking about me as much as your brother?”
His cheeks flushed. “Maybe.”
“He’s fond of you, is all,” said Colt. “Cash has told us plenty of stories too. You were missed while you were gone.”
“I’m glad to be back.”
Another vehicle shot past the windows and came to a screeching halt, Cash’s mother bolting out of the back seat, climbing over several others.
“Junebug, slow down,” Cash’s dad, John, called out.
“No slow!” Cash’s mom yelled back. “My baby girl is home.”
Carter detached just in time for Mrs. Balor to sweep me into a bone-crushing hug.
“It’s good to see you too, Ms. B.”
“None of that. I’m your mama now.”
Her husband was quickly followed in by another pair of men I didn’t recognize.
“I’ve acquired some bonus dads since you left,” Cash explained. “You already know Mama and Dad, but these two are Lester and Joe. Mama packed up about six years ago, highly improper too.”
June whacked her son on the shoulder. “He’s just saying that because they started off as wranglers on our ranch. Teased me for ages about being their boss, but a scent match is a scent match, and love can’t be stopped.”
John hugged me around his wife since she refused to let go, Lester and Joe giving me polite waves.
“Junie hasn’t stopped talking about you since Cash told us you were back,” Lester told me. “I think we were treated to your whole life story.”
I gotemotional, both over everyone being excited to see me and the sweetness of Cash’s mom finding additional love all these years later. It was a good reminder that it was never too late to find happiness.
Carter and River stole me away, getting all the gossip on the chaos my life had become recently.
“Dakota’s being a good alpha, right?” River asked. “Because I can throw some burrs in his underwear drawer if you want.”
I laughed. “He’s been amazing, I promise. No burrs needed.”
Cooper and Levi came in from wherever they’d been, Cooper instantly occupied by Cash’s family, and Levi drawn in by Dakota’s. They both cast longing looks in my direction but were too polite to abandon their conversations, so I excused myself briefly, maneuvering through the crowd to give each of my alphas a hug. I scent marked their cheeks when they dipped down to kiss mine.
The room was an absolute cacophony of voices, but the energy was all love. I settled back between Carter and River, Dakota’s sister updating me on their community and numerous people I had never met. We didn’t have enough living room seating for quite this many people, but we had stolen some tables and chairs out of the community center so we could accommodate everyone for dinner.
“You should come out to the ranch sometime,” Carter told me.
“I’d love to.”
