Page 49 of Take a Chance (Blue Creek Ranch #1)

Crew

M y family would take any excuse to get together, but we rarely got the occasion to also take the time off of work.

There was always something that needed doing and the animals needed looking after.

But on holidays, we divvied out the necessary chores, got them done as quickly as possible, and then spent time together.

Memorial Day was no different and for the first time in a long time, all of my family was together. Including the new additions.

The twins made it home a week ago and then slept for at least a day.

Mom was fussing over her “baby boys.” Keegan had no problem with it but Judson only allowed it for a few hours before he spent his days riding through the property.

He was vague about what he was doing and only said he had some ideas about improving the irrigation from the creek.

He was puzzling it out and I was happy to let him.

Judson would talk when he was ready to implement a new plan.

Isley and Jerrica finally arrived late last night.

They’d gotten a late start on the road and then had to spend an extra day in Chicago.

Their one day stop for sight seeing had turned into two when a raging thunderstorm ravaged the area and they decided it was safer to stay put instead of trying to drive through it.

Dad had made grumblings about how they just should have flown and used any of our several vehicles to get around while they were here.

But they wanted to do the whole road trip thing, and play tourist at several stops, to wind down from a stressful semester.

Bodhi being home was the real novelty. Really, it had been years since he’d managed to get leave long enough to spend more than a day or two with us here.

We usually went to see him, in small groups.

But he was out and settling back in. He hadn’t told me exactly why he’d chosen to leave the Marines, but I had a feeling at least Dad knew.

Bodhi would talk if and when he was ready.

But my favorite part about this get together were the new additions.

I smiled fondly as my gaze tracked through everyone until I found Mal.

He was sitting in the sun, looking like a snack, laughing with Emery and Russ.

He nudged Hawk, who cracked a smile and shook his head.

I grinned and took a sip of my beer, the bottle sweating against my fingers.

A cackling laugh drew my attention and I searched until I found Mom, setting up the food table with Fiona.

Mal’s mom was an absolute treasure, and I adored the shit out of her.

She was bright and funny and loved hard.

She and Mom got on like a house on fire, so much so that they started the “Mimi and Nana Club” which mostly consisted of coffee, pastries, and gossip on the front porch every morning.

I would be sorry to see her leave in a couple of days but I knew she’d be back frequently.

Hopefully next time with the famous Aunt Win, who I couldn’t wait to meet.

Payton wandered over to me and without a word, handed me his juice box. I took it with a raised brow. He climbed up onto my lap, leaned back against my chest, took the juice back, and sucked hard at the straw.

“Ahh.”

I chuckled and kissed his head. The juice must be satisfying. “You good, little man?”

“Yeah. Too much peopling.”

I laughed again. He’d picked up that word from Bodhi, who used it as an excuse a lot. Mostly to amuse everyone. For the most part, he had no problem with “peopling” but sometimes it got to all of us.

“Yeah. We’ve got a big family, huh?”

“Really big. I like it sometimes though. Mimi says that means there’s a lot of love.”

I squished him too me for a second, causing him to eep . “Mimi’s right. So much love. And always someone to talk to if you need it. Or give you a hug. Or watch out for you.”

Payton nodded. “Or take you to the library for more books!”

This kid, I swear. He cracked me up. “Always someone for that.”

“Hey, Crew? I forgot to ask.” He turned his head to look up at me. “How come the flag on the big pole is only halfway up?”

I blinked, kind of kicking myself for not explaining. Of course a four-year-old wouldn’t know. I adjusted us so that we could look directly at each other because this was important.

“Remember how, before breakfast, we all came outside and were really quiet for a few minutes while Bodhi raised the flag?”

He nodded slowly. “Even Juanpablo was quiet.”

Which had been a miracle in and of itself. “Right. So we did that, the silence and only raising the flag to half mast, to remember and honor the service members who gave their life in service to our country.”

His nose scrunched up. “What’s that mean?”

I held in the groan. I had a lot to learn in this parenting business. How to explain it in an age-appropriate way? I almost called for Mal, but I figured I could try and call in back up if it all went sideways.

“If you join the military, like the Army, Navy, Marines—”

“Bodhi’s a Marine! He showed me his, uh, candy. But it didn’t look like candy.”

“Chest candy,” I corrected, smiling. “It’s what he calls his service ribbons. But right, he is. Even though he’s done now. But people like him, sometimes when they’re protecting our country, they don’t get to come home.”

“Why not?”

I took a slow breath, trying to find the words. “They have to go to heaven instead.”

I didn’t really believe in the concept and I was pretty sure Mal didn’t either. But it had been the way Mal explained his father’s passing to Payton, and it was something he could understand. Though if there was a heaven, I was sure fallen service members ended up there.

Payton was processing that information. He had an expressive face and I’d learned exactly what it looked like when he was thinking things through. After a minute or two, he flopped against my chest.

“That’s sad that they don’t get to come home.”

I hugged him tightly. “Yeah it is.”

Before Payton could ask anymore questions, Demi clicked her tongs together, catching everyone’s attention. We all went quiet, looking over at her.

“Food’s just about ready. But before we eat, I have an announcement.” She waited for a few seconds, building anticipation, and making sure she had everyone’s undivided attention. “Luke and I are postponing the wedding.”

“What?” Fern squawked and I was sure she was thinking about all the preparations she’d been making, planning the perfect event.

Mom was gaping like a fish. “Why would you do that?”

I had my suspicions and they were confirmed when Luke scooped up his daughter and went to join Demi at the grill. Neither of them could stop smiling. Demi poked Aria, making her giggle.

“Aria, what’s our big news?”

Mom gasped and pressed her hands to her mouth. Dad shot up out of his chair, ready to run. I chuckled and waited.

“Sister!” the little girl shouted.

“That’s right, pumpkin. You’re going to be a big sister,” Luke said before he attacked her cheek with kisses making her squeal in delight.

“Twins! Due in September,” Demi added. She rubbed a hand on her stomach and then made a face. “If I make it that far, anyway. Might be the end of August if I follow in Mom’s footsteps.”

Mom had had both her sets of twins at thirty-six weeks.

Dad made it there first, outstripping Mom by several lengths. He lifted Demi right off of her feet and when he set her back down, they were both crying. Mom joined them a second later. Lots of congratulations were being shouted. I’d offer mine later, when it was quieter.

“Auntie Demi has a baby in her belly?” Payton asked. He sounded slightly confused.

“Yep. Two babies.”

Payton got up on his knees, the sharp little joints digging into my thighs. I held in the wince. He grabbed my face in his hands and looked very serious. “Are we gonna have more kids?”

“I dunno. Maybe,” I answered honestly, though it came out a little garbled since he was squishing my cheeks. “Do you want us to have more kids?”

“I guess a brother would be okay.” He shrugged. “Daddy says girls have babies. But he’s not a girl. And you’re not a girl. How do we get a brother?”

Oh boy. I wasn’t touching that with a ten-foot pole. Especially because somehow we needed to explain that boys could have babies if they had a uterus and wanted to. I had no idea how to make that make sense to Payton. Mal would though. He could handle it.

“We’ll ask Daddy later.”

“Okay!”

I blew out a breath. Crisis averted.

Bodhi let out a whistle that once again caught everyone’s attention.

“I have an announcement too, though maybe not as exciting.” He shot a wink at Demi and she gave him heart hands.

“I’m going to build a retreat space on the back twenty acres by Millsbrook Road.

Details are still pending, but the goal will be for riders and horses to learn the basics, improve confidence or groundwork, or build on their training.

I’ve had to relearn a lot since I’ve come home and my intent is to provide a place where people can do that in a safe environment, learning good techniques instead of bad habits. ”

Hawk sat up, his entire focus on Bodhi. “So folks will be able to bring their horses, stay for a while, and learn good skills?”

Bodhi nodded. “It’ll be a big undertaking because there needs to be a place for both humans and horses to stay on property. Along with arenas and training tools.”

“Horsey sleep away camp!” Keegan shouted, absolutely delighted by the concept.

Babble broke out everywhere, Mom called everyone to come make their plates, and Payton hopped off my lap and ran to his Nana, shouting that he was starving. I stayed where I was, enjoying the manic energy, soaking it all in.

This is what family was all about. The connectedness and support. Growing and changing. I just allowed it to wash over me, smiling. I couldn’t be happier.

That was until Mal wandered over. Just looking at him made my heart beat faster. I couldn’t put into words how much I loved this man. I tugged him into my lap. The lawn chair creaked ominously but held. I didn’t care if we ended up on the ground as long as I had him in my arms.

“Lots of changes,” he murmured, settling his forehead against my temple.

I squeezed his hip. “Yeah. But good ones. The best one being you.”

Mal kissed me, but kept it short since there was a large audience. “I love you.”

“And I love you.”

That was never going to change.