Page 78 of The Texas Sterling Collection
“Your family has quite a history in Blackfield. I have a similar family history that I’ll share with you sometime. For now, what do you need me to do?”
“Why don’t you tackle the kitchen?” Rod pointed to the doorway. “Check the refrigerator and the pantry, and box up anything we can use at the ranch. We can bag up and carry anything perishable we don’t take to the dumpster,” Rod said. “I’ll be upstairs packing clothing and tossing toiletries in a box. When you finish in the kitchen, you can help me carry any clothes I want to hang at the ranch.
“Got it. Kitchen.” I headed that way. Helping Rod pack to move to the ranch made my insides tremble. I found someone permanent in my life, and having him with me in my home on the ranch filled a missing piece of my life.
After packing and loading Rod’s belongings, we drove both vehicles to the ranch. As we arrived, two garage doors opened. I pulled into one garage, and Rod pulled into the other.
I hopped out of the Denali and raced around to Rod’s truck. “That is your spot. Remind me to give you a remote.” I loaded up and carried the first load in.
Rod followed a few minutes later with an armload. A knocking down the hall preceded his plea. “Why did you close your bedroom door? Open up! My hands are full.”
I poked my head out of the master bedroom at the end of the hall. “Down here.”
Rod lugged his full armload down the hall and paused at the doorway. “In here?”
I glanced up from my task of unpacking a duffel. “This is the master suite. Since we are the masters of Sterling Ranch now, and the only Sterlings, this is our room. It belonged to my parents. Impressive, huh?”
“Wow!” Rod dumped his armload on the bed. “California King with seating to each side. His-n-his closets. Ensuite with a double vanity. I’m guessing the toilet is behind one of those doors.”
“Toilet and bidet in the water closet. And a rain shower.”
“Rain shower? What’s that?”
I strode over and picked up a few hanging clothes. “We'll try it out. You’ll love it. And it includes a bench where you can lie down, which gives us interesting possibilities.” I waggled my eyebrows and hung his clothes in his empty closet. “Is this all?”
“Shit, no.” Rod jogged back to the garage for another load.
After several jogs back and forth, I stopped and wiped my brow. “You sure do have a lot of stuff.”
Rod grinned over another armload of hanging clothes. “Hey… I’m not the one who asked his soulmate to move in with him.”
“Soulmate, huh?” He didn’t know that I planned to make things even more permanent. I had a surprise to share. Until then, I helped him put things away. “Isthatit?”
“I think I’m all moved in.” Rod wiped his brow. “How does a beer sound?”
“Let’s sit on the patio. Bring me one, too.” I tugged Rod’s arm through mine and led him toward the kitchen.
“What about supper?” Rod raised an eyebrow. “I’m kinda hungry.”
“And you’re suggesting I fix supper?” I held Rod’s arm.
“Can you grill steaks? A tenderloin sounds perfect. I’ll check through the kitchen stuff we brought from my house for a go-with.”
“If you don’t find what you need, Felipe’s wife keeps our pantry and fridge well stocked.”
Rod stopped and stared at me. “Felipe’s wife?”
“Did I not tell you? She keeps the house clean and does the shopping. You didn’t think Walt and I kept the kitchen stocked, did you?”
Rod snuggled into my side. “Now that you mention it, it seemed a bit odd. So she cleans the house, huh? I think I’m going to like this ranch life.”
I leaned over and nuzzled Rod’s ear. “I thought you might.”
“We have potatoes. I’ll scrub a couple and toss them into the microwave.”
“While you do that, I’ll grab sweatshirts. It’s a little chilly out, and I remember you love being on the patio with me while I grill the steaks.”
Potatoes in and sweatshirts on, Rod grabbed beer from the fridge while I checked the phone. Seeing the flashing message light on the answering machine, I pressed play.
