Page 93 of Here With Me

When he told me, I was a bit surprised since I know he hates being on the ranch and around horses. But it makes sense for networking purposes.

The rest of the dinner conversation goes over their plans to prepare the training center for the competitions. There’s still plenty to do in five days, and I plan to help Noah however I can because she’s stressing out about getting it all done on time.

“I’m available to help with anythin’ extra y’all need,” I say. “Put me to work.”

“You’re gonna regret sayin’ that...” Waylon mutters, and laughter echoes from the boys.

“On Thursday, the bleachers need to be put up,” Garrett tells the twins, then directs his attention to Landen and Tripp. “We need to make room for the incomin’ horses, so the boarders need to be moved to either the family or retreat barn. Double up the ones that get along, but we need fifteen stalls. That doesn’t include the space we need for the sheep.”

“The fields behind the center need mowin’ for parkin’, too,” Noah says.

“And what’reyougonna be doin’?” Wilder snaps.

“You wanna list?” When she drops her fork and whips out her phone, I know she’s about to put him in his place.

She clears her throat. “Get tables and chairs for booths, confirm food trucks, email the itinerary to all the sponsors and trainers, set up the silent auction at The Lodge, get horseback ridin’ sign-ups posted, write my speeches, make sure the trainin’ center is ready and cleaned, set up emcee’s and judge’s tables, confirm we’ll have bathrooms arrivin’ on time, oh...and all the marketin’ and networkin’ I organized with newspapers across the state on top of the written interviews they sent me.” She shifts her eyes to Wilder with a murderous glare. “And that doesn’t even include my own trainin’ and talkin’ to clients I’m still required to do.”

The room goes silent.

“Sounds like ya need an assistant,” I mutter with a grin, silently volunteering for the position. Though I’m plenty busy with my work, I’ll always make time to help Noah.

“Trust me, I know.” Noah scoffs and points her fork at Wilder. “Anythin’ else you wanna know?”

Landen steals her fork and slowly sets it down. “Just gonna take this before you stab him.”

Garrett chuckles. “Noah, don’t worry. It’s all gonna get done. This is the first year, so there’s gonna be growin’ pains as we learn what works.”

She scowls. “The onlypainis Wilder.”

“Bet you’re glad you only had one kid, huh?” Tripp says, and everyone’s laughter halts when Noah gasps. “What?”

Poor kid’s clueless.

“Actually, I have two,” I tell him softly. “My daughter passed away ten years ago.”

Gramma Grace finds my hand and lightly taps it. After losing her husband, I’m sure she understands. I don’t want people’s sympathy, though. It feels wrong.

Tripp smacks himself on the forehead, shaking his head. “Crap, I’m so sorry. I remember that now.”

Noah narrows her eyes at him, and I lightly tap her foot under the table to grab her attention. When she finds my gaze, I shake my head and smile so she lets up.

“It’s okay,” I reassure him. “Lyla woulda loved the chaos y’all bring. She was always taggin’ along to my jobs and loved meetin’ new people.”

“My love story ain’t soundin’ so bad now, is it?” Gramma Grace leans over, causing me to laugh.

“Oh, you’re definitely sharin’ after dessert,” Noah says.

“Are ya stayin’ for scrapbookin’?” Gramma Grace asks.

Smiling wide, I look at Noah. “Wouldn’t miss it.”

After dessert, the boys bail and claim they’re goin’ back to work, but judging by their mischievous looks, I’d doubt it. Dena says it’s hit or miss if they stay for scrapbooking, but Noah never skips. I love how she makes an effort to spend time with her parents. They probably appreciate it more than she realizes.

“How many of these have y’all made?” I ask when Dena and Noah dump boxes of supplies and albums.

“Probably thirty or forty,” Noah says. “I hired a photographer, so I plan to make a new one specifically for the event.”

“I can’t wait to see that.” Dena grins. “Here’s one ya might like.” She hands me an album with a familiar cover photo.