Page 96 of Wylder Ranch
Haven’s entire body softens. “Alex.”
“There’s no other way of saying it, but I love you. I’m in love with you. I’m in love with our daughter. And the thought of being apart. . . I’m not doing it again. I know I never got over you, which is why this year’s been so miserable for me.” I take a breath, swallowing down the lump in my throat, and gesture to the envelope.
Easing her thumb under the metal tab, she pries it open and tugs out the document inside. I don’t breathe as her eyes scan the words, her brows knitting together with each line she reads because every few seconds, they flick up to mine.
“Alex, what is this?”
“I know you don’t want to sell the ranch because you want to keep it for Everly. But I also know that you’re worried about going back to Aspen and working again.” She opens her mouth to protest but doesn’t get far when I hold a finger to her lips. “I see it, Haven. In your face, I see you worrying every time we talk about going to Aspen, or the ranch, yourstore. . . and this”—I tap the paper—“is a solution for you tothinkabout.”
Her eyes drop to the page again.
“This is an offer I’ve had drawn up, with the asking price for Wylder Ranch, which I will buy. But . . . it goes into a trust for Everly. All of it. I don’t have any ownership rights, and I added a clause about development. So whether we stay together or not, you get the money and the ranch, you get to secure your future, and in turn secure Everly’s.”
Her eyes shoot up to mine, blazing in concern.
“You don’t think we’re going to stay together?” she spits out, and it’s all I can do not to laugh in her face. My lips twitch because of all the things I thought she’d focus on, us staying together wasn’t it.
As far as I’m concerned, that’s not even an option. Haven, Everly, they’re my future. My endgame. I’m done.
“I’m serious. You don’t think we’re going to stay together,” she repeats, her jaw flexing. I can see she’s getting more annoyed, especially when I can’t stop laughing.
I lean forward, my mouth finding hers so I can kiss the irritation away. It’s like I haven’t just told her I love her. “Yes, I think we’re going to stay together. I want to stay together, and that’s something else we need to talk about.”
Her eyes narrow, and she waits.
“How would you feel about me moving to Aspen? We’re living on the ranch together?—”
“You want to move to Aspen? Your home is here.”
I shake my head because, along with falling hopelessly in love with her, there’s something else I’ve realized. “My home is where you and Everly are.”
“But how would it work with your office?”
“I spoke to Lando. We’ve been wanting a North American base for a while. We think Colorado would be a good place to start.”
“But what about your mom? Clemmie and the twins, the dogs, Blackberry?Churchill?”
“I’m sure they’ll manage without me. Churchill will steal someone else’s apples.”
She slumps back, and panic rises in her face. It makes me wonder if I have this all wrong. I’ve read it all wrong.
“Hey, it’s just an idea,” I blurt. “I’m trying to find solutions for us to be together because long distance isn’t going to work for me. I don’t want to be apart from you.”
“Can you pass me my phone, please?”
Twisting around, I tug it free of the charger and hand it over. She swipes it open, and I wait while she scrolls down to whatever it is she’s looking for.
I’m not entirely certain what I’m reading when she hands it over, but it’s an official government email with the words “Application for Name Change.”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “You’re changing Everly’s name?”
Haven shakes her head. “No, I’maddingyours. It’s the birth certificate, so you’re officially her father.”
Beyond the conversation we had the first day they moved in, Haven and I haven’t discussed Everly’s name at all. I haven’t felt the need to. My mind’s been too occupied trying to put together a plan for buying the ranch, so knowing that Haven’s been doing this anyway hits me like a high-speed train. The rush of emotion is so overwhelming that before I know what’s happening, Haven’s wiping my tears away.
“I love you too, Alex. Our daughter’s obsessed with you. Of course, I want her to have your name.”
“Really?”
