Page 162 of Here With Me

“You know what I realized? Remember that napkin you wrote your number on? Had you given me the other one, I would’ve recognized Jase’s and all this never woulda happened.”

“Oh my God, I forgot about that. I even offered to show it to you, but you didn’t wanna see it. Imagine if you had.”

“How one little decision coulda changed everythin’.”

“Imagine how awkward that woulda been for you to open it up to your son’s number and realize who I was—besides being the family you’d be workin’ for but also someone he’d dated. Had you known that night, do you think you woulda said somethin’ or ignored it?”

“Honestly, I probably woulda walked out right then. But thank God I didn’t know.”

“No kiddin’! We wouldn’t have gotten together, and Jase wouldn’t have met Amelia.”

“Crazy how it all turned out, huh?”

Amelia’s a local trainer who came to Noah’s fundraiser event last year. They followed each other on social media and started talking regularly after the fire. It wasn’t until she invited Amelia to the ranch that she met Jase since he was here to watch Noah perform on Donut. She was determined to get back on him and do the same tricks she did the day she got hurt so Donut could heal from the trauma. After that, she signed Delilah, and a few months later, she joined a trick riding team. She’ll be at the rodeo tomorrow for her first big show.

Once Jase and Amelia met, they hit it off and have been dating ever since.

Though Jase and I still go to our grief meetings once a month, he’s still talking to his therapist, which makes me happy. Knowing everything he went through to get to this point, he’s working hard each day to be the best version of himself, and that makes me proud as hell as a father.

We visit Lyla on the second Saturday of each month and take her fresh flowers. When Noah got cleared to walk on her foot again, I brought her along so I could “introduce” them. Now it’s a family tradition where the three of us go and update Lyla on all the recent events and small-town gossip.

I know Lyla would love hearing about Noah’s horses and all the drama we hear from Gramma Grace’s old ladies’ club.

“Speakin’ of, I invited them to Sunday supper tonight. Your mom said it was okay, so I hope you don’t mind.”

“Not at all. It’s always a fun time when I can tease him about datin’ his dad.”

I snort because they do really fight more like siblings than anything, which is hilarious, considering I want to make Noahmy wife.

Once we added onto her cottage, there was room for me to move my stuff in so I could stop living out of a duffel bag each night I slept over. She wanted to stay on the ranch, and I wanted to be wherever she was. Jase got a nice commission after he sold my house, so it was a win-win.

I hired a contractor to expand the primary bedroom and kitchen, and add a second bathroom. We both spend hours on our feet each day and deserve a way to relax at night, so I bought the biggest whirlpool tub I could find. Our nightly tradition is to soak in it together and catch each other up on our day.

“Our breakfast is gettin’ cold, so get dressed and meet me out in the dinin’ room.”

“You cooked?” She points her nose in the air. “Oh my God, you made bacon!”

Laughing, I help her up and hand her one of my T-shirts. “C’mon, let’s feed ya. You’re gonna need your energy for today.”

“Don’t have to convince me.”

After a day of horseback riding and having a picnic lunch off Sunset Trail, we spend the afternoon downtown. Magnolia insisted she come to help Noah find a new dress for the occasion and get their nails done. They hung out at the salon while I made a pit stop at the jewelry store and then returned with their favorite coffees.

When Noah and I arrive at her parents’ for supper, she’s glowing in a new pink sundress and matching nails. Magnolia talked her into getting a blowout at the dry bar, so I waited while they did that.

But hell, it was worth it.

Noah’s gorgeous on her sickest days, but tonight, she’s goddamn stunning. I can hardly keep my eyes and hands off her. I thought seeing her in a cowboy hat with braids was cute, but her all dressed up and looking happy as ever has me even more excited for tonight.

“Mrs. Hollis, you look lovely.” I kiss her cheek as she greets us in the kitchen.

“You dress up nice yourself, Mr. Underwood.” Her cheekiness makes me grin. She knows what’s coming and has been sworn to secrecy.

We say hello to the rest of her family, and once Jase and Amelia arrive, we take our seats for supper.

Noah’s mom and grandma made her favorite dish, beef baked stew with French bread, and of course, her favorite dessert, peach cobbler.

“One whole year of puttin’ up with my sister. Congrats. You deserve an award.” Wilder holds up his glass, and I tense because Noah won’t put up with his shit.