Page 15 of Mountain Rancher

“People change.” My eyes drift toward where Abby stands with Melody and Savannah as they all laugh at something.

“That they do.” Wyatt follows my gaze before returning to watch his brother. “You know, having all my brothers settled hasme thinking about legacy. Dad would be proud seeing the family grow like this.”

“He would.” I feel a pang of loss for the man who taught me so much. “He always said the ranch was built for generations.”

Wyatt nods thoughtfully. “Melody’s due in two months. First Clayton grandchild.” Pride radiates from him at the mention of his coming child. “Changes your perspective on everything. Suddenly, all those plans and improvements we’ve been talking about for the ranch mean something different. They’re not just for us anymore.”

I understand what he means. Working the land takes on new significance when you’re shaping it for future generations. It’s something I’ve thought about more since returning to Cooper Hills than during my entire time in Montana.

“Having kids makes you think differently about the future,” Wyatt continues. “About what matters.”

Before I can respond, Brody and Luke join us, each with a plate piled high with food.

“Man, I’m starving,” Luke says, already shoving a mini quiche into his mouth. “Setting up parties works up an appetite.”

“Everything holding up okay?” Brody asks me as he eyes the chandeliers. “No structural failures threatening to rain crystal on our guests?”

I roll my eyes. “The structures are sound. Engineering degree, remember?”

“Just checking.” He grins. “We can’t have catastrophes at the golden boy’s party.”

We all look over at Jace, who’s now standing with his arm around Lindsay as they greet an older couple who must be her parents. The resemblance between Lindsay and her mother is striking. They have the same auburn hair, the same warm smile.

“Still can’t believe Jace is settling down.” Luke shakes his head in mock disbelief. “Remember when he swore he’d bea bachelor forever? Said marriage was for ‘suckers who don’t know how good they’ve got it being free.’”

“And now look at him.” Brody chuckles. “Planning a nursery renovation before they’ve even said ‘I do.’”

The conversation shifts to ranch business—cattle prices, the new irrigation system I’ve proposed, plans for expanding the organic operation. Safe topics that don’t involve my romantic future. But their words linger in my mind as I scan the crowd again for Abby.

I spot her near the gift table with clipboard in hand as she directs two helpers on where to place Lindsay and Jace’s presents. Even in the midst of hosting duties, she maintains that cool competence that I find inexplicably sexy. The woman knows what she wants and how to make it happen.

Except when it comes to us. There, I sense her hesitation, her uncertainty about crossing lines with her brothers’ employee. A complication I’m determined to navigate.

As the afternoon progresses, I maintain my position on the periphery and step in when needed to adjust lighting or help with heavy lifting, but otherwise I stay professionally invisible. It’s a role I’ve perfected, though my eyes continually seek out Abby in the crowd.

The party begins to wind down as the afternoon stretches into early evening. Guests leave with gift bags and warm congratulations for the couple. I help direct parking as vehicles leave to ensure no one gets stuck in the field we’ve designated as overflow parking.

When I return to the barn area, the crowd has thinned considerably. Only family and close friends remain. Some help with cleanup while others linger over drinks.

Jace and Lindsay are sitting together on a hay bale, her head on his shoulder as they talk quietly. The intimacy of the momentstrikes me. The way they’ve carved out this bubble of connection despite the activity around them.

That’s what I want. Not just physical desire, though lord knows I want Abby in every way a man can want a woman. But I also want that deeper connection, that sense of coming home to someone.

I spot her then, alone by the dessert table as she checks something off on her ever-present clipboard. This might be my only chance to speak with her privately all day.

“Successful event,” I say as I approach, keeping my voice casual for any listening ears. “Everything ran smoothly.”

Her smile is genuine but tired. “Thanks to your engineering skills. Not a single chandelier came crashing down on unsuspecting guests.”

“High praise, indeed.” I smile, enjoying the slight flush that colors her cheeks when our eyes meet. “I particularly enjoyed the couples game. Jace and Lindsay seem to know each other well.”

“Years of friendship before romance will do that,” she says and glances over at her brother and his fiancée. “They were best friends since high school. Everyone saw the attraction between them except them.”

“Sometimes what we’re looking for is right in front of us.” My meaning is clear in the way I hold her gaze.

She looks away first and tucks a loose curl behind her ear. “Sometimes we’re not looking at all.”

“And sometimes we find things we weren’t expecting to find,” I counter softly.

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