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Four Months Later

Chapter Thirty - Two

Ryder

If I was asked where I thought I’d be on Christmas Eve this time last year, I can promise my answer would have been a hell of a lot different to what I was living now.

Sienna and I walked hand in hand into the house where my family was setting up a Christmas Eve feast in the dining room.

We had just come back from a run into town, concluding a not-so-quick liaison with an agency to sign a veritable mountain of legal paperwork. Though it wasn’t for selling Larsen Ranch, thankfully. Sienna’s father had completely given up on Belle Springs ever being mined for oil, but my woman still had plans for our sleepy little town.

Since that day in Louisiana, everything was out there. I couldn’t count the times I’d told her I loved her, or the smiles we’d shared. We were together now, though I knew a small part of her still ached that her parents had decided to disown her. They’d cut her off completely from their lives. The only thing left of them was her trust fund which she’d legally gained access to at the age of thirty.

I had even caught Sin writing notes here and there, letters that were never sent to her parents. Apologies that would never grace the desk of a formidable man. I didn’t like to see my woman hurting, so I’d written one myself.

It had come back unopened with ‘return to sender’ stamped on it. The bastard couldn’t even be bothered to hand write it.

As I pushed those melancholy thoughts away, I noticed the special effort put into tonight’s table. There were eight seats, candles, and what was clearly an Aria-made paper chain garland draped and taped around the table. It also looked like our niece had made everyone a Christmas-themed placemat too.

Savannah was just putting a roast chicken in the middle of the table, while Kenzie hummed a carol, carrying a gravy boat and bread rolls.

Quickly, I kissed Sienna’s cheek and pulled her chair out next to mine, much like I had that very first night we met. She all but bounced with the news from our visit to town. I could tell it wouldn’t remain a secret for much longer.

As Wyatt entered the room and sat, with Logan not far behind, I shared a look with my best friend. He nodded once; the plan was set.

I did notice that he paid some attention to Van too as she passed him after setting the chicken down. Outwardly, it seemed nothing but a quick hug, but I noticed his hands lingered on her waist a little longer than they used to. Savannah smiled wide up at him, her eyes almost twinkling in the light cast from the candles. There was something between them that I hadn’t seen before. It made my whole soul warm at what I was witnessing. My best friend and my sister were finally accepting what they felt for each other. At least that’s what I hoped was happening.

A bowl of beans was passed to me, and I gratefully started piling them onto my plate. I was about to hand it to Sin when she blurted, “I now own my own piece of Belle Springs!”

I could have sworn time stood still. As I glanced around the table, I caught sight of my brother. Colton sat with a piece of chicken precariously balanced on his fork, his mouth slightly open. A second later the piece fell, splashed gravy on his shirt, and he swore, loudly.

Handing him a napkin, Savannah smiled at Sienna. “You bought it, didn’t you?” Sin nodded, and Van grinned widely.

“Bought what?” Wyatt asked, picking up a bread roll.

“I bought Warmington Run from Mrs. Jackson; signed the paperwork today.”

“Now why would you do that? Miss fancy pants city girl?” Colton wiped at his shirt. Somehow, instead of removing the gravy he was just spreading it. He let another curse fly.

“Well”—she looked at me—“Mrs Jackson was so nice to me when I was there. She only wanted to sell because it was too much work for her, and so she could see her grandbabies more often. When Daddy pulled his offer, I knew I couldn’t leave her high and dry. So, I put 10 percent on top of what Daddy offered her, and she accepted.”

“What do you plan on doing with it? There’s some nice land on that property,” Logan added.

“I plan on fixing up the main house and outbuildings first. Then maybe build some holiday cabins in the gully and do a farm stay experience.” Her gaze turned to my younger brother. “Maybe Colton could even do some horse tours? Or keep some of the horses there? I’d be happy for you to live on the property if you’d like to be the manager.” I put my hand on her knee under the table. She’d been talking about this ever since she found out her father had rescinded all formal offers from the Belle Springs properties.

Colton fell quiet. “You’d trust me that much? To run that side of things?”

“Of course!” They exchanged smiles and I was happy for both of them.

“Why do you want to start a business?” Wyatt questioned.

“Because I plan on sticking around for a long, long time.” Her hand found mine under the table, our fingers linked, and she squeezed. “I hope that one day, my babies and grandbabies will call Belle Springs home and love it as much as I do. This business is just me building a more sustainable income for the future generations.”

The meal flowed easily, jokes and laughter filling the room. Before I knew it, Aria was curled on my lap, yawning a little and the clock was chiming ten o’clock. “C’mon, angel.” Wyatt stood and held his hand out to her. “Let’s get you home. Santa’s probably on his way right now, and he won’t show up if you’re still awake.”

“But I want to see him,” she grumbled. “I’m going to stay up all night, Dad, just you watch.”

“Alright, angel.” Gently, he tugged her from my arms and bid us all goodnight, leaving for the converted barn they called home.