Page 23 of Rancher's Pride

“So, what are you going to do?” He patted my back, and we let go of one another. Moving to the couch, we both sat down.

“Fallon’s with me at the house. Josie’s in my old room,” I said as Dad smiled again. “It will be her room forever.”

“What about Fallon? Obviously there were feelings there.”

“I don’t know Dad, she’s going through a divorce and just had a baby a week ago.” Wasn’t it a little soon to be thinking of what would happen between us?

“Are you still in love with her?” He leaned forward and arched his brow.

“How did you know?”

“Nash, you don’t hide things well. You’ve looked at her like she hung the moon since she turned legal age, before that she annoyed the hell out of you and you let her.” He shook his head, and I was somewhat shocked he even noticed. “Give the woman some time and then go after her. You were meant to be together. When she turned twenty-one, Miller and I had bets on how long it would take for you to marry her.” Dad leaned back into the couch, letting his gaze drift off into the past. He and Kipp Miller Sr. had been the best of friends and it only made sense that Kipp and I had the same relationship.

“Wish we could have seen how that bet turned out.” I tried to smile, but everyone still missed the giant of a man.

“Well, the money is in a safe place and I haven’t lost out yet.” My father grinned.

“Come out to the house soon?” I saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. He hadn’t set foot in that house since Mom left. “I’d like you and Wanda to come meetthe girls. And spend Christmas with us. We have a lot to celebrate this year. It will be just like old times.”

“What night do you want us there?” He glanced over at Wanda who’d come back into the room. The both had huge smiles on their faces, and I started feeling like maybe I had a family again.

Leaving town, I passed Jake Gordon’s place. It was too late to go talk to him. I'm sure his girls would be sleeping, but I needed to call him.

The phone rang a few times, and he answered it. “Hello.” He said politely, just like he always did.

“Hey Jake, it’s Nash. I’m sorry to call so late, but I’m worried about Fallon.” The words tumbled out of my mouth and I was sure I hadn’t even taken a breath.

“Worried about what?” There was no friendly discussion, no catching up, just right to business.

“How do you know if someone had postpartum depression?” I pulled over at an approach and closed my eyes as the silence hung like a cloud over the phone call. “I mean, I get she’s had a lot happen in a few weeks, but she’s not herself. There’s no light in her eyes, Jake.” Letting my head rest on the back of my seat, I exhaled loudly and slowly.

“Nash, I’m glad you called. I have to be honest and tell you I can’t discuss things with you regarding Fallon’s care, but I will make a call in the morning.” His tone was concerned and I could read between the lines that he was worried.

“Thanks Jake, I appreciate it. I’ll let you get back to whatever you were doing.”

“Just watching sports highlights pal, nothing too exciting.” He chuckled. We’d all gone out a few weeks ago to celebrate the end of his marriage, but I really should be checking in more often.

“When this is all sorted out, you should bring the girls over. I’m sure Libby and Skyla want to use the arena to practice.” His daughters were learning to barrel race and winter was hard on little girls’ dreams of flying around barrels in dirt, so we kept the arena open for anyone who needed it. “Maybe we can even get Fallon to teach them a few things.”

“I’m sure they’d like that. Let’s see how things progress and then we’ll make a plan. Postpartum is scary Nash, I won’t sugarcoat it, but we’ve got her. She’s exactly where she needs to be.” We chatted about nothing for a bit longer and said our goodbyes. It was like a fifty-pound weight lifted off my shoulders after talking to him.

Kipp and Nora were in their own world. Julie was just happy Fallon was home, so it was up to me to make sure she was looked after. It was something I should have done a long time ago. Even if I was late being the man I needed to be, I was him now.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

FALLON

Grabbing the phone, I dialed the number I’d memorized when I was five. “Hello?” Her voice sang through the phone.

“Mom, it’s me.”

“Well hi darling, what’s up today?”

“Are you free? Jake called, and he wants to check on Lottie, but Josie’s not feeling good, and Nash is out dealing with cows.” I knew I didn’t have to tell my mom where Nash was. She knew exactly what it was like living with a rancher after a storm like the one we’d had.

“I’d love to come watch her and let you and Lottie have a girls’ afternoon. I’ll be right over.” There was no goodbye, the line was just dead. Staring at the phone, I frowned and shook my head. I shouldn’t have been shocked she was so willing to keep Josie. She’d been dropping hints about grand babies even before I left.

Fifteen minutes hadn’t passed, and she was walking through the door. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” she asked, walking up to me, examining me.

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