Page 24 of Daddy’s Firm Hands (Saddle Up)
EPILOGUE: MILO
S tone and I had a two hour long meeting this morning with Mr. Vettore about land leases, schematics, and keeping certain products on the ranch.
He wants the dude ranch operational within two years, which is an aggressive goal, but an attainable one.
To reward us for sitting through the whole thing, I made Stone and I a fancy high tea lunch with scones, sandwiches, desserts—the whole nine.
Somehow Lucky smelled the food and wandered in at the right time. I’ll never say no to a friend joining us for lunch.
“How is the wedding planning coming along?” Lucky asks as he chugs his second iced latte with a double shot of espresso of the day. His eye twitches as he fidgets in his seat at our kitchen table.
“Great. My father and Piero declined their invitations. So I won’t have to deal with them. I made the flower arrangements last week and Stone picked the cake. Everything is almost done.”
Stone takes one of the tea sandwiches I made from the platter and sullies it by dipping it in honey mustard before cramming half of it in his mouth. I ignore how much he ruined the flavor profile, because he’s my future husband and I love him.
“We just need to book the honeymoon. We want to rent an RV and go on a road trip for a week or two. Just us, the open road, and tons of camping in the woods.” A toothy grin spreads across his face. He hasn’t had a vacation in years and he’s due for some R&R.
“That can totally double as a porno,” Lucky quips as he takes one of the cucumber sandwiches. Unlike my future husband, he eats it as intended.
Stone rolls his eyes, and I cackle. I was actually thinking the same thing.
“There’s this bed and breakfast I read about online in Comfort, Texas, called The Lavender Porch. It’s queer-owned. I’d like to book a couple of days on the trip there if it’s okay?” I ask.
“Anything my city boy wants,” Stone croons. He spoils me, and I love it.
“You two are so romantic. I wish my future older husband would walk through the front door and whisk me off my feet.” Lucky fake heaves, then sticks his tongue out at us, the silver-colored barbell in it glistening.
“I’m sure Doc will come to his senses eventually,” Stone assures him.
“I’m done chasing a man who doesn’t want me. Milo once told Stew the world is a buffet, so take a second helping. And a third. And a fourth. I’m not ordering the same meal for the rest of my life,” Lucky declares.
“Um, I said something like that, but not quite that exact quote,” I correct.
A knock at the front door draws our attention away from Lucky’s frivolous misquoting. Stone glances at me, and I shrug. I didn’t invite anyone over today. We usually spend Saturdays resting. Lucky invited himself over because he knows I like to make a big weekend lunch.
Stone answers it, and I hear him laughing. So I guess it’s a friendly visitor?
A tall, muscular man with short, curly blond hair and sharp green eyes follows Stone into our dining room. He has a well-groomed beard, and sculpted cheek bones some people spend serious plastic surgery money to have.
“Gentlemen, meet my friend, Sunny,” Stone announces, throwing an arm over his old friend’s shoulder.
I remember hearing about him. He’s the friend from the Army who found all the dirt on me for Stone. Why is he here?
I reach out to shake his hand, but he pulls me in for a hug. “I’m not usually a hugger, but I’m glad you’re alright. Stone kept me up to date, but it’s good to see you’re both in one piece.”
Well damn, it’s hard for me to dislike him now. He’s a great hugger and he seems so genuine.
Lucky smiles at him, then reaches his hand out. “My name is Lucky LeBeau. I’m Milo’s friend and one of the ranch hands.”
Sunny looks him up and down intensely as he shakes Lucky’s hand. “My name is Sutton Dean, but you can call me Sunny. It must be my lucky day to meet you.”
Lucky busts out laughing, and his magnetic smile definitely draws Sunny in. “No lie, that’s usually my line. I make that pun every time I meet someone new.”
“I can attest to that. He said it to me, and it was hilarious. Then he told me how hamburgers are born.” I giggle, because the word ‘studding’ has become an inside joke between Lucky and I ever since.
“So what brings you around, old friend. The wedding isn’t for another six weeks.” Stone pours him a glass of peach tea and loads his plate up with tea sandwiches and cookies.
“Remember how I told you I was dealing with some things?” Sunny asks.
Stone nods for him to continue, and he hesitantly looks at Lucky and I. “Can you two keep a secret?”
“Seriously? I almost lost my future husband over a secret,” I quip.
“Yes. I already have a satchel of secrets I’m carrying to the grave,” Lucky says with a dead serious face.
“Well that shit was related to a job. And the job has gone south. I figured I’d come and visit…for an extended period of time? Lay low and help around the ranch,” Sunny explains.
“Brother, you are always welcome here. Stay as long as you need,” Stone says.
My phone vibrates in my pocket with a text from Lucky.
When you wish upon caffeine, you’ll achieve your wildest dreams! Did I not just wish for my future older husband to walk through the door?
Watch out, Doc. Competition.
Not really. He’s made himself clear, and I’m done chasing someone who doesn’t want me. I bet Big Sunny D over there wants me though. About to get my vitamins! Yeeeeooooow ***eggplant emoji***
Oh my God, I can’t wait to see how Mr. Stoic Cowboy reacts to this. Maybe having Sunny on the ranch will be just the thing Doc needs to get his ass in gear.
“I’ll get one of the guest rooms ready,” I announce as I rise from the table. “Come on, Luck.”
I go upstairs, choosing the guest room at the opposite end of the hall from my and Stone’s room. Not because of the distance…but because it has the best view of Lucky’s bunkhouse.