Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Maverick and I had been in a frenzy of final preparations the past few weeks, culminating in a frantic morning of last-minute tasks. For his part, Grayson had been unusually attentive all day, doing my bidding instead of the other way around, carrying linens and dusting like he had nothing better to do than wait for the same guests he’d protested against all winter.
Indeed, he stood on the porch with Maverick and me, nodding his approval. One would never guess he’d been the biggest skeptic of the project.
“I can.” He smiled fondly at me. He did that a lot more these days, smiling to the point that others had noticed. The change in his demeanor got us far more teasing than anything else. Knowing I made him that happy made my chest warm and light as I basked in his support, along with his hand at my back. “You worked hard to make this happen.”
“Absolutely.” Maverick gestured beyond us at the new row of tiny house cabins, the first of which was ready, with others soon to follow. A nifty fire pit with seating stood between the cabins and the bunkhouse, exactly as we’d envisioned. “None of this could have happened without you.”
“Thanks.” I smiled, but my jangling nerves refused to settle. Maverick had brought his years of experience from the hospitality industry, but this project was my baby, right down to the cowboy sheets on the bunk beds in the cabin for the guests’ kids. “I keep going over all the details—”
“Which are perfect.” Maverick placed a soothing hand on my shoulder. “You found cowboy hat- and cactus-shaped soaps. Everything is ready, Adler.”
“Someone’s coming!” I sounded like a kid hosting a birthday party as a gray SUV came down the long drive, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“Well, go greet them.” Maverick shoved me forward.
“Me?” I turned to stare at him. “It’s your ranch.”
“And you’re our official guest program coordinator.” He gave me another friendly push. “Go say hi, Adler.”
I had barely cleared the porch steps when I pulled up short. A trio of redheads, a mom and two kids, exited the SUV, followed by a tall, lanky blond man. The kids bore a decided resemblance to a stack of photos on my phone, but my eyes were locked mainly on the mother, whom I’d recognize anywhere.
“Corrine?” I took a few more halting steps toward my older sister and her family. “You’re our guests?”
I turned my head back toward Maverick and Grayson, who both nodded encouragingly. Ever since I’d asked for the green bean recipe at Thanksgiving, Corrine had been chattier via text, more pictures of the boys, who were six and nine now, more inquiries as to my well-being, and more recipe suggestions. Inspired by Grayson and his tentative steps toward reconciling with his mother, I’d started sending lengthier replies, including a few pictures of the ranch and my life here.
“When you mentioned your new project, I told Rob and the boys, and they were so excited about the ranch.” Corrine offered a cautious smile as her husband and the boys hung back. “I reached out to Maverick about surprising you. He thought we’d be great test visitors. Surprise!”
“Surprise,” I echoed weakly, trying to wrap my head around this development. I’d seen that the guests had two boys, but I hadn’t made the connection, in part because someone had input a different name. “Smart on the fake names.”
“That was my idea. Turns out that booking software really is easy to use.” Maverick came up beside me, grin wavering as he glanced between me and my sister. “This is okay, right?”
“Uncle Adler!” Before I could reply, the younger of the two boys, Brayden, stepped forward to tug at my arm. He’d been a tiny bundle the last time I’d visited New Jersey. A granite boulder grew in my throat. He knew my name. “Do I get to ride a real horse?”
“Yeah, I think you do,” I said slowly as I stooped to his level. “If your mom says it’s okay, of course.”
“That would be why we flew all the way here.” Corrine gave a nervous chuckle. “Brayden reminds me so much of someone else at that age. He demands the carousel every chance he gets. I’ve missed you, Adler.”
“I wasn’t sure anyone even noticed I’d stopped coming back.” My voice came out as dazed as I felt.
“I noticed.” Corrine wrapped an arm around my back. “So did others. Maybe we’re not the best at expressing it, but we love you, Adler. It’s good to see you looking so healthy. And happy.”
“I am.” I swallowed hard and allowed myself to sink into the hug for several long seconds. When Corrine finally released me, we both had damp eyes.
“Now, when do we get to meet your cowboy?” she teased, voice still thick with emotion. I’d sent enough pictures of Cupid, the dogs, Grayson, and others that she knew something of my life here, including that I was dating Grayson.