Page 89 of Breaking the Cowboy's Rules

“She had her reasons,” Hunter Carr said. “Good ones. But I’m hoping with time—” He broke off.

“Yes,” Bodhi said swallowing hard at the same time Langston saidyesand Genevieve also whisperedyes.

“I plan to spend more time here, Dad,” Genevieve said, her voice thick with emotion.

“All of us do,” his other two daughters spoke up.

“So what’s next?” Granddad asked, polishing off his s’more.

Beck wrapped his arms around Ashni. “Ashni has a job at the health department as a liaison with families and public schools. She’s going to be teaching more at Harry’s House. I’d like to build her a studio on the ranch and a woodworking shop for me. And the baby is due late March. So we’ll be busy.”

A cheer rose up and another round of congratulations rang out. When everything quieted down a bit, Ben looked at Lang and Bowen.

“I have a job at the Graff as the events coordinator for a year,” Lang said. “After that I’ll have to figure something else out.”

“We’llhave to figure something else out.” Bowen pulled her close. “I’ve been thinking some on that topic. Lots of options. Wanted to talk to you about breeding and training horses again, Granddad,” Bowen admitted.

“Haven’t done that for years.” Ben looked at his daughters. “Change is coming. Change is good.” His daughters smiled at him. Genevieve touched his hand.

“How about you, Bodhi?” Granddad asked. “Are you going to go to medical school or figure something else out?”

“Not quite sure. I always figured I’d be working the ranch with you.”

“I’d like that.” Ben looked out over the dark blanket of the ranch.

“And I’ll work on getting a Montana law license because I have it on good authority that every family needs a lawyer.”

Ben smiled at her.

“And you never know what will come up.” She stared at the three moms who seemed to be sitting on something they wanted to say.

“Oh, I think you can predict one thing that will come up,” Bodhi whispered in her ear, making her smile.

“I meant professionally. Who knows, maybe all the moms will move back and want to start a B& B or farm-cation. So many opportunities.” Nico’s voice held the hint of a challenge, and the moms all met her direct look with one of their own.

“We don’t,” Bodhi admitted and took her hand and kissed her palm. “But now we have the time to find out.”

“True we may never know what the future holds.” Ben Ballantyne winked at his daughters who definitely looked like they had a secret. “But stay tuned because we’re Ballantynes, and we’re always cooking up a scheme or two.”

“Or three,” Bodhi, Bowen, and Beck all said at the same time.

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