Page 7 of Rancher's Pride

Everyone was happy again, except me. Would anyone ever look at me like Wanda looked at my dad, or Nora did Kipp?

There was only one woman I wanted looking at me that way, and it had been three long years since I’d seen her. She was married, and I knew that the train had left the station, but I couldn’t move on. Hell, I’d even senther away. But I still couldn’t let her go, even if I knew it was for the best.

“I know you’ve probably got a lot to do, so I won’t keep you,” Pop said.

“Are you kicking me out?” I asked as he ushered me to the front of the cafe.

“No, son.” He tried to hide the smirk on his face. “We’re closing early because of the storm and I want you home before it hits.” He walked to the front and flipped the sign closed and locked the door. “Wanda, can you pack up some boxes for Nash? He’s going to starve out there in that big house alone.” Wanda nodded and packed up some of the sugary treats left in the display case.

“I’m not alone, Pop. Kipp and Nora are right next door. Griff, Ryder and Linc are close by.” I shook my head and reached out to take the boxes from Wanda. “If we need to, we'll move back into the main house.”

“Oh yeah, I’m sure Kipp wants you four around all the time.” He laughed and slapped a hand on my back. “Text when you get home, so I know you’re there.” He unlocked the door and opened it.

“Who are you?” I grumbled, shaking my head as I walked out the door. The wind whipped around and was stronger than when I came to town. The snow had started falling during the quick visit and was swirling down the street. Now I really felt like I was in the snow globe, but this time someone was shaking it to see the snow fall.

My mind flashed to Fallon, spinning with her arms out as huge snowflakes fell around her. She’d looked up, and the snow fell over her face and landed gently on her eyelashes. I could see it as clearly as the day I’d watched her. Her laughter flitted through my mind and I looked in the rearview mirror to the empty back seat, because that’s how close it had sounded..

“Just your concerned father. You might be thirty-nine, but I still worry.” He shouted at me, pulling me out of my memory.

“Thirty-eight, Pop,” I called over my shoulder.

“Just seeing if you were paying attention.” His laughter floated across the street and I waved as I got into the truck.

Damn, it was good having him back.

CHAPTER SIX

The rumbling from driving over the Texas gate woke Josie up. “Mama, where’s we?” Her little voice still sounded sleepy and I smiled. I loved the moments with her when she just woke up and she wanted to cuddle.

“We’re home baby.” Or at least I hoped we were. Surely my family wouldn’t throw me out. The drive up the lane seemed like it took longer than our entire drive. Every foot I drove closer to the house, an ache I’d pushed away opened again. I’d missed this view, missed this place, and the people here. I was sad the blizzard was obscuring the view of the house. Even on a clear night, you could see the lights on top of the hill.

Pulling to a stop, I took a deep breath and finally gave in to the cramps in my stomach and groaned. “Momma, okay?”

“Yep sweetie, I’m good. Let’s get to the house and Grandma Julie can take care of us.” I opened the door and fought against the wind as I got out of the car. Josie climbed into my arms and I trudged through the snow to the porch. I slammed my fist against the door and waited. Leaning up against the wall, I breathed through another set of contractions before the screen flew open, slapping against the opposite wall.

I’d expected Mom, or Kipp, but Nash stood staring at me, his mouth open like he was going to say something, but the wind took his words away.

“Got a room?” I smiled and laughed.

“Fallon,” Nash said, stunned. A woman appeared beside him and pushed him out of the way. Was this his wife? Had he married?

Of course he is. You were gone for five years. You got married, why wouldn’t he?

She was pretty, and judging from the slight fullness in her abdomen, she was carrying his child.

Oh god why did I come back here?

“Oh my fuck, get in here.” The woman pulled me and Josie into the house and began to help take Josie’s coat off.

“You’re lucky Cooper’s gone.” Nash mumbled. Who was Cooper and why was it a good thing he was gone? Was that their other kid? He would have her popping them out because he was insatiable. The thought made me feel queasier than I already was. “What are you doing here, Fallon?” Nash questioned me.

“Can’t I come home?” I spat at him. Who the hell was he to question if I walked back through these doors? This was my home, not his. He had no right.

“Of course you can. How old is this little one?” The woman with dark hair cut between us, frowning up at Nash as she did. Her eyes moved from Nash to me and the sweet persona broke for just a second when she saw my face. It was only for a moment, but I knew that look.

Pity.

I hated pity and I sure as hell didn’t want it from anyone, never mind Nash’s wife. Glancing up at Nash, I saw anger flash through his eyes and he clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles were white.

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