Page 104 of In Death, Love Survives

“Yeah. You’ll meet the Stimans eventually. They are fucking over the top for Montana.”

“It’s changed a lot throughout the years.”

“It has. It’s a goddamn shame too. All the big businesses are trying to buy up land.”

She shakes her head against my shoulder.

“Are they the largest?”

“Nah. The largest would have to be Reynolds Ranch. They have a few cattle ranches spread out over the country.”

“It’s amazing how much goes on in the world without even knowing it. A whole different life.”

“You have no idea.”

I turn down the long driveway to my own house. It’s not like any of the cattle ranches that are out here, but it’s enough to make myself known.

Maybe that’s not the right tactic to take in my line of work, but fuck it. This is how I want to spend my money. I’m not trying to raise livestock or any of that. I just wanted a nice piece of land to call home.

“Are we here?” Nova asks excitedly.

“Yes, doll. We’re here. Welcome home.”

I come to a stop as we approach the main driveway to my house.

It’s a sprawling ranch style that I picked with the idea of having space for the brothers to crash or, hell, if I’m being honest, the idea of a family one day. But who do I fucking think I am to get that?

Nova hops off the bike, placing the helmet in its spot, and stares at it with her hands on her hips.

“What do you think?” I finally ask.

She looks over at me.

“Give me a tour?”

“Yeah, baby. I’ll give you a tour.”

I cross to where she’s waiting and scoop her up in my arms. She yelps as she clings to me. Nova leans her head back and laughs loudly.

I sure as fuck could get used to this.

FOURTEEN

Nova

Wolfe opensthe front door of his home, and it’s nothing like I expected it to be. I’m not sure why, but I pictured something smaller and more discreet, given what I know about his operations.

He did tell me he owns something akin to a ranch, but I wasn’t expecting, well… this, a sprawling home fit for a family. This is nicer than any bachelor pad I had concocted in my head.

The outside of the house is white with deep, rich brown detailing, like the wraparound porch where I can already picture myself drinking my morning coffee.

As he sets me down, Wolfe doesn’t let go of my hand.

“This is the family room.”

It’s modern and minimalistic, with brown leather and wood furniture, and it reminds me completely of Wolfe. Something about that warms me to know that Wolfe hasn’t had a woman place her touch on his home yet.

“It’s nice.”