Page 26

CASE

“And that –” Will says, making a show out of drilling the last screw into a heated towel rail in the cabin bathroom, “is it. Cabin number one is done.”

Me and Wyatt move out into the living space with Will following behind us. We all have huge grins on our faces because we can now officially say that we’ve finished one of the four cabins we’ll be renovating and repairing on the ranch.

Originally, the plan was for Wyatt to move into this cabin and for us to move on to cabin number two which would be for guests.

However, Wyatt has made it clear he’s happy staying in the ranch house with everyone, which means we can open up the gates–so to speak–to at least one ranch-stay guest or a couple.

When we first started the work on this building, we thought that only a complete refit would do. That’s why we took the cabin back to the bare bones built by Gramps decades ago and then methodically put the cabin together again, this time with modern fittings and an adjusted layout.

Part of that was to create an open-plan living space to take up half the floor size. There’s a small lounge area as you walk through the door and a full but compact kitchen at the rear.

There’s also an L-shaped counter, the front part serving double duty as a dining area. On the opposite wall to the kitchen cabinets we split the area in two for a small pantry/food store as well as a dedicated laundry space that we’ve hidden behind a sliding door.

Off the main room on the right-hand side is a door leading through to a good-sized master bedroom with windows facing toward the mountain ridge.

The ensuite bathroom with the newly installed towel rail, shower, vanity, basin, and mirror with storage cabinet behind it completes the cabin’s amenities.

Our aim was to create accommodations that would cater to everyone and provide everything our future guests might want and need. Looking around the room, I think we’ve accomplished that.

“You know the only thing that’s missin’ now?” Wyatt says, looking around the room.

“Furniture,” Will and I say together.

Wyatt smirks. “Yep. Think our guests are goin’ to love the place, but they might expect a bed… maybe a small couch.”

“I’ve been thinkin’ about that.” I turn to Will. “Remember all of the things me, Jude, and Sutt Ieft in storage at Mom and Cap’s? A lot of it would fit into these cabins once they’re all done. I was thinkin’ we could take a day or two and head to Anchorage to pick it up and bring it home.”

I don’t miss the way Will’s eyes crinkle at the side when I call the ranch home. “And what we don’t have but still need, we can order from the furniture shop in town.”

My brother nods. “That’s a good idea. Saves buyin’ everythin’ brand new and reuses old stuff. There’s just one problem.”

I cock my head with a frown. “What’s that?”

“How were you plannin’ on transportin’ the furniture back here when we don’t have a trailer? There’s only so much you can pack onto a truck bed.”

Wyatt’s eyes light up. “Eagle has a few trailers and not just stock ones. They’ve got a horse float or two, maybe even a furniture mover. We could give Randy a call and ask if we can borrow it. I’m sure it won’t be a problem.”

Will nods approvingly. “That’s a real good idea, Wy. You want to call them?”

“Sure, Boss.”

“Will, Wy.”

“Boss sounds better. Rolls off the tongue,” he says, cheekily and I can’t help but smirk.

“Damn kids these days,” I make a show of muttering like a grumpy old man.

“Hey, I’m eighteen, that’s an adult.”

“And yet, while you can vote, join the military, buy and sell a house or a lease, you can’t drink,” I shoot back. “What you can do is call your Dad and see if he’s up for you visitin’ for a few days. We can pass through Spring Haven to drop you off and pick you up on the way back if you want to.”

The kid’s gaze brightens and I know I’ve done good. A side-glance Will’s way shows I have his approval too. “We’re due to get those cattle from your Dad next week anyway. If you’re worried about not workin’, you could always tell them we’ve sent you on ahead to ‘inspect’ the merchandise.”

Wyatt barks out a laugh. “Right. Bet Dad and Rhett would love that.”

“Exactly why I suggested it.” Will winks. “They were comin’ next week anyway. You could hitch a ride to Bull with Case and Sutt, and then just come back with Red and Rhett when they deliver the stock.”

There’s no mistaking how much Wyatt likes that idea. “That’d be OK with you? I don’t want to leave y’all shorthanded.”

Will pins him with a stare. “Wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise, Wy. You’ve been workin’ hard. If Case and Sutt head to Anchorage next week for a few days, that still leaves me, Judd, and Birdie. I’m sure the ranch won’t go to hell if y’all are not here for a few days.”

As expected, Wyatt doesn’t even need time to think about it. “OK. Yes. Thank you. I love it here, don’t get me wrong. But Bull Mountain is–”

“Home. Yeah, Wy. We get it,” I say. “Now go call Randy for us and let us know what he says.”

“On it.” Then he’s gone, heading to the main house to call Eagle Mountain.

Will looks around the cabin. “You think Gramps would like what we’re doin’?”

“He would, because we did it ourselves and I haven’t turned the whole place into a smart house,” I say with a smirk.

“We’re using solar on the roof, so that’s renewable energy, and we tried to reuse and recycle as much as we could while buildin’.

I say Gramps would be impressed. Hell, even my satellite on the side of the ridge isn’t too obtrusive. ”

My brother smirks. “Still think he’d be rollin’ in his grave over that .”

I snort. “Me too. But the ranch can’t live in the dark ages forever.”

“True. Still funny to think about what he’d say about it.”

“The only problem with the dish is Grumps usin’ it as a scratchin’ post,” I grumble.

Will’s eyes jump wide. “I thought you and Wy put a fence around it to stop him?”

“Didn’t make a lick of difference. The internet dropped out this mornin’ when you and Wy were finishin’ up in here. I went up to investigate and low and behold, guess what I found up the hill?”

“A very happy donkey?”

“Yep. The jackass was smilin’ and brayin’ at me like he was proud of what he'd done. He was even standin’ on the fence just to add insult to injury.”

“That animal,” Will says, shaking his head with a smile, “he sure keeps things interestin’ round here.” He falls quiet for a spell and I almost think we’ve finished our conversation. “Speakin’ of smilin’. You and Iz, it’s been a few months now. Things still good?”

There’s no stoppin’ the grin that takes over my face. “Oh yeah. Apart from the fact she’s busier than a squirrel preparin’ for hibernation, I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

“The Call’s good like that.”

I hesitate for a moment and Will doesn’t miss it. “What?”

“Isla doesn’t believe in the Call.”

“Birdie told me about that, but I figured she might’ve changed her mind. She was by Birdie’s side as we were hearin’ the Call. How can she dismiss it when she saw it happenin’ in real time with us?”

I shake my head. “She supports Birdie thinkin’ it’s true but doesn’t believe that it could happen over and over again. It’s like you two are the exception.”

Will lets that sink in for a moment. “Interestin’.”

“What I feel for her–the way she makes me feel–is not like anythin’ I’ve ever experienced before.

It’s like I crave her–bein’ near her, kissin’ her, touchin’ her.

” Will waggles his brows and I jerk my head from side to side.

“ No, I don’t just mean like that. I wake up smilin’ just thinkin’ about her and count down the minutes until I can see and talk to her again. ”

“That doesn’t sound like a problem, Case. It’s how I think it’s meant to be.”

“You sayin’ it was like this for you?” I ask.

A slow growing smirk takes over his face.

“Oh yeah.” His laugh is warm and knowing.

“But remember, it was me who didn’t connect the dots.

It didn’t click until I read the books. Then we went to Moose Mountain and there was no denyin’ it.

I just didn’t know if she was feelin’ it too.

More fool me because Birdie had known all along. ”

“Well, I guess you can say it all worked out since you’re plannin’ a weddin’ and doin’ it with the perfect ‘best man’ standin’ by your side.”

His lips twitch. “Perfect, you say? But I asked you, not Sutton.”

My mouth drops open. “Damn, Will. That hurts.” I feign hurt but my big brother sees right through me.

“Gotta keep you on your toes. By the way, you still haven’t said whether you’re goin’ to talk to Iz about the Call.”

“I don’t know how to. I don’t even know if it will change anythin’ or whether I even need to. Especially when we’re both fallin’ hard already?”

Will’s eyes widen with understanding, when he speaks next his voice is softer. “You should tell her, Case. What about the heart palpitations, the sweaty palms, the hot flushes? All of those physical things that would have us thinkin’ we were gettin’ sick if we didn’t know any better.”

“When you put it like that, it sounds more like menopause than the Call,” I joke.

A startled laugh bubbles out of him. “OK, let me put it another way. What if she’s thinkin’ there’s somethin’ wrong with her when really, it’s just her body, her heart, and her soul recognizin’ its true love.”

It hits me then that he’s right. The last thing I’d ever want is for Isla to question our connection and how good we are together.

“I don’t want her to think I’m crazy when I tell her that we were meant to see each other again. She gave me direction when I was feelin’ aimless. She gave me?—”

“Hope? A jolt that made you feel more alive than you ever had before? A purpose? Because that’s what Birdie gives me every day and you know as well as I do, it’s the best damn thing in the world.

Nope, our Ones are the best damn things to ever happen to us.

” He stares at me intently, showing that he’s speaking from the heart.

“If she feels the same as you—as deeply as you do—then she won’t blink an eye when you tell her you’re soulmates. ”

“She does feel it. I know she does because she shows me with everythin’ she does. Simply by the way we can’t stop touchin’ each other.” Will slowly lifts a single brow, his lips twitching when I roll my eyes.

“Not like that,” I muse. “I know we’re on this journey together and there’s zero doubt in my mind that Isla is my One. She’s the only woman I want a future with.”

“What if I put it another way? If Isla Murray thinks you’re crazy, then she’ll have to think the same about me and Birdie.”

I cock my head, lips twitching as I do it. “You sure you’re not?”

A knowing smirk appears. “From your mouth to God’s ears, brother”

“If Birdie hadn’t made us read Aster’s books, I’m not sure I would believe you either. Maybe there’s somethin’ to be said for promotion’ some light readin’ if you want people to believe…” I ponder out loud.

“You think it gives people hope that their One is out there too?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. It worked for me.”

“Hell, if I’m crazy, then we all are. Generations of Coopers have been rewarded with their Ones, it just happens to be our family tree branch gettin’ their turn this time around.”

I fall quiet, thinking about the pros and cons of telling Isla. “I’ve been more open with her than I’ve ever been with anyone else other than all of you, so not tellin’ her just feels…”

“Wrong?” Will says, finishing my train of thought.

He steps closer and cups my shoulder. “For what it’s worth, I say you should trust your gut.

Only you can know when it is the right time to tell her.

Maybe you should do it before you leave on your trip.

At least that will give her time to think about it and process it without you bein’ here to muddle her brain. ”

“That’s… a good idea,” I reply.

Will snorts. “I have been known to have some of those occasionally.”

“Thanks for listenin’ and lettin’ me talk it out. I really appreciate it.”

“What are big brothers for? Besides, how can you be my best ‘best man’ if you’re too busy thinkin’ about the Call and not plannin’ my bachelor’s party,” he muses.

“Wait… I have to plan that too ?”

He stares at me with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Case, your responsibilities are to get me to the weddin’ on time, keep the rings safe until the celebrant asks for them, and give my bachelor life the send-off it deserves. It’s pretty easy really.”

“You're tellin’ me all I have to do is put you to bed early the night before the weddin’ like the old man rancher you now are? Right. Got it.”

Will glares at me half-heartedly before chuckling. “You’ll keep. Just wait till it’s your turn.”

The thing is, I can’t wait until it’s my turn. Because every time I imagine my wedding, all I see is Isla walking down the aisle toward me. As long as that happens, that’s all that matters.

“Ah, now that got you smilin’,” he replies.

I shrug. “The Call’s a powerful thing. It makes you reevaluate what's important. You know?”

He claps my shoulder. “Oh yeah, brother. Just you wait.”

My head jerks. “What do you mean?”

A wicked grin appears on Will’s face. “You’ll find out. You think you’re obsessed with her now? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”