Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“I hope it’s a girl.”
My heart tripped in my chest. “You do?”
He smiled. “I don’t know why, but I’m hoping for a little girl.”
“I thought for sure you’d want a boy to follow in your footsteps with the ranch.”
“Nothing says a girl can’t run this ranch. Especially a Wilde.”
I leaned my head back and smiled. “I think you’re right. Since she’ll have your blood running through her, she’ll make a wonderful rancher.”
I felt him looking at me. “You’d be okay with that? I mean, if we had a girl and she grew up wanting to do what I do?”
Lifting my head, I studied him. His gaze was back on the road. “Of course I’d be okay with it. I’ll be okay with whatever she—or he—wants to do in life. My parents allowed me to follow my dreams, and I want that for my child as well.”
“I feel the same. Boy or girl, I’ll never pressure them in any direction. My father and mother have always let me know they’d support whatever dreams I have.”
We pulled up to the barn as Emeline was walking out. Her smile lit up like a Christmas tree.
I got out of the truck and made my way toward her. “Hey! How are you feeling?”
“I’m exhausted. Like, all the time. I actually fell asleep at my desk yesterday. My mother had to wake me up. And the worst part of all—I can’t eat my Swedish Fish!”
Caden laughed.
“What do you mean, you can’t eat them?”
“Last week I opened up a bag and the smell instantly made me feel sick. I swear, if this pregnancy makes me hate my favorite snack, I don’t think I’ll ever recover.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I think it’ll pass. I was actually craving bacon this morning.”
“You were?” Caden asked.
I nodded. “Yep. Bacon on a biscuit with a slice of cheddar cheese and peanut butter. I was just thankful we had everything for me to make it.”
Caden gagged. “Lili, that is disgusting.”
“I was on board until you said peanut butter. That’s a hard pass,” Emeline agreed.
“You love peanut butter,” I said.
Emeline screwed up her face. “Not with bacon and cheese!” She shuddered and then looked at Caden. “That favor you asked of me?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s taken care of.”
Caden hugged his sister. “Thank you.”
“You owe me.”
He kissed her cheek. “I know I do.”
“Marshall has a couple of horses saddled up for you two. Just be careful with the icy patches out there. I wouldn’t run them.”
At that moment, Marshall walked up with two stunning horses I’d never seen before.
“Oh my gosh! These horses are beautiful.” They were both paints, both mares, and clearly both feeling feisty.
Emeline smiled as Marshall came to a stop. She ran her hand over one and said, “These two are sisters. This is Altair. A fast, bright star in the Aquila constellation. And this beautiful girl is Cassiopeia, but Cass for short. A northern constellation.”
“Are they twins?” I asked, running my hand down Altair’s neck.
“They’re not twins. They’re three years apart. They came to us from a ranch in Utah. The owner passed away and his kids were selling the ranch. The moment I saw their names, I knew I had to have them. Marshall and Luke drove there last week to pick them up and bring them back.”
“Can’t wait to ride them. You’re sure she’s safe for Lilibeth?” Caden asked, eyeing Altair.
“I’ve ridden them both myself and can promise you, they’re gentle giants.”
Caden held his hands out for me to step on them and boost me into the saddle. Emeline was right, this horse was a sweet girl.
“We won’t be long,” Caden called as we headed out of the paddock and down a trail.
I rode behind him for most of the way and simply enjoyed the peace and quiet of the ranch. We took a path I hadn’t been on before, and I realized we were headed downhill. When we emerged from the trees, we were in a small valley.
“You’re not cold, are you?” Caden asked, glancing over at me as I rode up alongside him.
Smiling, I shook my head. “Not at all. Oh my gosh, this is gorgeous! I don’t think I’ve ever seen this part of the ranch.”
Before me was the most beautiful view I’d ever seen. It was a small meadow with an adorable frozen lake directly in front of us. Beyond the lake, trees led straight to the mountains. I could imagine how stunning the reflection of the mountains and sky would look on this lake when it wasn’t frozen.
“This is my favorite place on the ranch, after the spot where my parents got married. See that little dock right there?”
I followed where he was pointing. “Yes, I see it.”
“That’s where I caught my first fish with my grandfather. He was the one who brought me here for the first time. When I need to think, I come here.”