Page 48 of Better Together

“We’ll just have to keep our eyes on him. I’m guessing he’s an expert by now and knows his limits.”

Remi looked up at him with a quirked brow. “Sounds like he tests the limits on a daily basis. I’m going to need more therapy.”

Another comment about therapy. Colt had no idea what kind of things Remi could be working through with a professional, but the mystery had been nagging at him for days. Maybe she’d know whether or not they needed to seek help for the kids while they were dealing with losing their parents. Colt sure wasn’t equipped to help, but Remi had stepped up like a champ.

He looked down at his ring and fisted his left hand. He was married to Remi. She was his wife. Forever. No take backsies. It was what he’d always wanted, but the circumstances were all wrong. He’d spilled his guts during the ceremony, and he’d gotten the response he’d expected. Thank you.

Remi wasn’t going to confess her undying love. He knew it. But a small part of him held onto the hope that one day she would love him. One thing was for sure–he’d be good to her. Whatever her life had been like before coming to the ranch was history. They were starting a new chapter of a new book, and he was determined to make it an epic adventure.

Ben met them at the bottom of the steps and pointed to the ice cream shop across the street. “There it is!”

“Does everyone know their favorite flavor?” Remi asked.

“I want something pretty with lots of colors,” Abby said.

Ben shrugged. “We’ve never had ice cream twice this close together before.”

Colt and Remi were still finding their way around town, but the ice cream shop was right in the town square. Colt narrowed his eyes. “Really?”

Ben swung his arms back and forth. “We’ve had ice cream at home a few times.”

“You don’t have an allergy, or…does it hurt your tummy to eat ice cream?” Colt asked.

“No.”

Abby shook her head quickly. “Nope. It’s yummy.”

Remi looked up at Colt with a questioning expression. Judging from the typical sugary breakfast norms for the kids, it didn’t seem like Mark and Brittany were against sweets.

If only he could ask Mark. Colt and Remi had been relying on the kids’ knowledge of their own typical days, but they were kids and couldn’t always be trusted to tell the truth, especially when ice cream was on the line.

The tests kept coming, and he had no idea if he was passing or failing. He was a dad now, and the learning curve was apparently steep.

Oh, and he was a husband–to a wife who didn’t love him or else she was keeping that tidbit under wraps. Who was he kidding? Remi might not ever love him the way he loved her. He kept telling himself he could live with that, but could he really?

“Hey!”

Colt and Remi turned to see Camille Harding making her way down the stone steps. Dressed in a black suit with shiny black heels, their attorney looked the part of a courtroom ringleader. After seeing her in her element during the hearing, he was certain calling her had been one of the best decisions he’d made this week.

“You did great in there,” Camille said with a smile as she approached.

“What about you? You were on fire,” Remi said. “I have a new hero.”

Camille chuckled and gathered her dark hair as the wind tried to blow it around. “Thanks. I know this whole situation isn’t ideal, but I have no doubt the two of you will be great parents.”

“I sure hope so,” Colt said as he extended a hand to her. “Thanks for your help.”

Camille shook his hand. “The pleasure is mine. My job comes with lots of battles, but today was a huge victory.”

Remi wrapped Abby up tight in her arms. “We can’t thank you enough.”

“We should get the kids together to play. My nephew, Levi, is around Ben’s age.”

“Does he live on the ranch too?” Ben asked.

“Not the same ranch that you’ll be living on, but it’s close by.”

Ben pumped a fist in the air. “Yes!”

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