Page 29 of Rancher's Pride

“No.”

“No?” the three of us said in unison. I frowned, and Nora stood from the table and took slow steps toward Nash.

He held his hands up in surrender. “I will parent Josie, I won’t babysit her, and the answer will always be yes when you want to go someplace. What about Lottie?” Nash moved around and Nora and walked to the space between the island and my chair.

“I’m not comfortable going without her, I don’t think.” I shook my head. It was just easier to take her with us. He frowned slightly and crouched beside me.

“How about I ask your mom to come over for the day? She can cuddle Lottie, and you can have a freeday.” Nash’s voice dropped a few decibels, and I wondered if I was the only one that heard him.

“Really?”

“Really.” He smiled, and I flung my arms around him. He stiffened slightly before wrapping his arms around me. “Thank you.”

I’d let my mask slip again. The anger I’d held for the last three years was easing. I wanted to hate him, but what he’d done since I’d arrived had been nothing but show me his level of commitment. Could I forgive him? Had he been right?

CHAPTER TWENTY

NASH

Josie’s little arms were wrapped around my neck as we watched the girls drive away. “When Mommy home?” Her small voice whispered as she buried her head in my neck.

“She’ll be awhile, but don’t worry, I’ve got you.” I turned, and we went back into the house, and I stared at the paper on the counter. Fallon’s list was a mile long. What time to feed Lottie, what foods Josie likes and doesn’t like. Things not to do, which includes anything fun. What was I supposed to do, just sit and stare at her while Fallon was gone? Grabbing the list, I crumpled it up and threw it in the garbage. Josie was my daughter too, and I was going to get to know her without a list.

“Gran’s here.” Julie shouted as she walked through my front door. She beamed and Josie went running to her. Julie had spent much of every day getting to knowJosie, holding Lottie, and making sure Fallon knew she was where she belonged. “I’m sure you have chores to do, Nash. I can take over.” She looked up at me, smiling.

“I go, Nas?” Josie asked, sitting up a little straighter.

“Of course you can. Are you done with your breakfast?” I looked behind me and sure enough, her plate was empty. She beamed, and I wondered what her life for the last two years was like. I’ve avoided asking Fallon questions about the man she’d been with, but I needed to know if he’d hurt Josie, because if it’s a yes, I’ll leave tonight and kill him.

Grabbing the towel, I wiped my hands and headed for the door. Getting Josie into a pair of hand-me-down coveralls that our neighbor had given me, I zipped her coat up, got her hat and mittens on and she was ready to go. I wished I was as happy to go out and do chores. “All right, we’re gone.” I called to Julie.

“Bye, Gans.” Josie called as she walked out ahead of me. Closing the door behind us, she wrapped her hand around my finger before looking up at me. “Hat pease.”

“Seriously? What am I supposed to wear?” She took her beanie off and handed it to me. “I don’t think that will fit, little one.” Laughing, I let her hand go, put her beanie back on, and put my cowboy hat on her head. Thankfully, the cold had broken overnight, and we’d be working in the tractor most of the morning.

“Well, look at the two of you,” Kipp said as we walked into the barn.

“Unc Kipps, I work today.” Josie said as she puffed out her chest, my hat wobbling on her head.

“Do I have to pay you too?” Kipp asked as Josie went running to him. He swung her up and twirled around with her kicking up the dust from the straw.

“Yes.” She giggled before hugging him.

“I’m going to go broke.” He shook his head. “Is Mom with Lottie?” He asked as he settled Josie on his hip and she squirmed until he set her down and she went running off to find Cooper, who was hiding in one stall at the end of the alleyway. Their laughter filled the empty barn when she found him and Kipp and I both looked.

“No, we just left her in the house to fend for herself.” I deadpanned. I watched his face go from happy to outraged and then look like he was ready to punch me. “Yes, your mom is here. She’s going to get her quota of cuddles today, I think. Just wait until your baby shows up. She’ll be wanting to move back in with all these babies in this yard.” I laughed.

“Don’t even think about it, because I know she will.” Kipp took off his gloves, and we talked for a bit. There wasn’t any awkwardness or hate, we were just normal, making plans for the day. Keeping an eye on Josie, I groaned when she flopped down in the clean straw to make a straw angel. Thankfully, not much of her hair was out of her beanie. It wouldn’t be too hard to pick the straw out of it.

Josie and I worked away all morning and onlystopped for lunch. I hauled hay out to the far pasture and suddenly the little chatterbox at my side slumped over and her head rest on my leg. Taking off my jacket, I placed it over her and kept on working. It was certainly better than falling asleep in the back window, like I used to do. I swear I still had a sore spot on the back of my head from when Dad didn’t warn me he was shifting and I’d smack my head against the glass. It was a wonder it never shattered, since everyone liked to tell me how hard-headed I was.

With the day done and, the girls fed. I flopped down on the chair and listened to Julie singing to Josie. “Nash, Lottie’s in her crib fast asleep, Josie’s had a bath, and she’s in bed waiting for you to tuck her in.” Julie’s quiet voice filtered through the room from behind me.

“Does it get easier?” I asked, letting my head flop back onto the chair.

“You got a two-year-old instead of a baby. There’s a big difference when you two can’t learn together from day one. There’s a lot of wins here today, son, and when you aren’t so exhausted, you’ll see them.” She’d moved behind the sofa and put her hands on my shoulders. “I’m going home.” With a gentle pat and reassuring smile, she was gone.

“Nas,” Josie’s little voice whispered. Getting up off the couch, I walked to the hallway where Josie was half hiding behind the wall hugging a stuffed horse.

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