Page 52 of Better Together

“The ranch.” Remi pointed out the window.

Ben sat up, plastering both hands against the window. “This is it?”

The tree-lined path opened to the hub of the ranch. The main house sat stately on the hill, surrounded by the dining hall, the dance hall, the stables, and cabins behind it.

Abby stretched her arms and legs straight out in front of her. “Are we there yet?”

“We sure are,” Remi whispered. “Take a look.”

The kids started spouting out everything they saw.

“The horses are over here!” Ben said.

“What’s that?” Abby asked.

Colt chuckled. “Don’t worry. We’ll show you around, as soon as we get settled in the house. Maybe tomorrow we can pack a picnic and make a day of it.”

“All of it?” Abby asked.

“Not all of it. The whole ranch is miles and miles, and some of it is in the woods or the mountains where we can’t go,” Colt explained.

“So, there are unexplored places here?” Ben asked.

Remi raised a finger to Ben. “Don’t even think about running off. I will find you and tie you to the porch until you’re old and gray.”

Ben actually chuckled at her imagery. The kid had no fear, and that unbridled adventurousness scared her the most these days.

Remi pointed out the main places as they passed, but her own excitement grew as Colt turned the truck toward the cabins on the west side of the ranch. Their friends had been getting the cabin ready for them all week, and the truth hadn’t really sunk in for her. She was going to be living on the ranch, with Colt and the kids. It was like God had gifted her a dream come true that she hadn’t known to ask for.

Colt parked next to a cabin with a few other trucks parked outside. She recognized Ridge’s, Brett’s, and Jess’s.

“We’re here,” Colt said as he unfastened his seatbelt.

“I want to get out!” Abby shouted as she pulled on the straps of her car seat.

Remi loosened the buckles as Ben jumped out the other side. “Are you excited?”

“Yes!” Abby screamed.

At least the kids were happy for the moment. It had taken six days for them to start really missing their parents as the loss settled in, and they’d both cried multiple times within the last twenty-four hours. She’d done more hugging and snuggling this week than in all of the years of her life combined, and there would probably be plenty more on the way.

Colt and Ben jogged toward the cabin and bounded up the stairs before rushing inside. Remi helped Abby out and followed.

The inside was better than she’d imagined. With the mix of her things and Colt’s, the place actually looked like a home.

Ridge, Brett, and Jess greeted Colt and Ben in the kitchen. They introduced themselves to Ben before Jess took his hand. “Let me show you your bedroom.”

“Yeah!” Ben ran off with Jess toward the back of the cabin.

“I want to see too!” Abby released Remi’s hand to follow her brother.

Remi shrugged. “Well, I guess we’ll finish the introductions later.”

The kids shouted in the bedroom, clearly excited about the new space.

“Wait until they get their stuff in there,” Colt said.

Jess joined them in the kitchen. “Sounds like we did a good job.” She raised a hand for her brother, Brett, to high five.

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