Page 131 of Never Left You

“Your future?” Wyatt repeated softly.

I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks as the small smile spread across my lips. Nodding, I leaned back into him.

“Okay, then…I guess I’ll accept that and…get used to him. Maybe I’ll be nice to him, too.”

“That will throw him off. Please, I do love him. Don’t scare him away.” I pulled away, “Plus, he’ll be training Quinn here more.”

His eyes twitched. “Wait, really?”

“Ha Wyatt…you can look but don’t touch.”

“I won’t.”

“How come I don’t believe you?”

“Not sure, Abi. I’m a respectful guy.”

I glared at my brother, still not believing a damn word that came out of his mouth.

Forty

Cash

Threeweekslater

The town of Alpine Ridge never looked so appealing than it did right now. Driving down this main road had a different feeling to it now. Even though for the past three months I had lived in the motel, the feeling of home was stronger.

I was home.

Home.

Putting the house up for sale in Bozeman went smoother than I thought it would. It hit the market yesterday, and my agent was keeping me up to date on everything. I was relievedI didn’t have to be present for a sale to go through, and I knew it already had several people looking at it. All my things were out and either in my truck or being shipped here. Abi’s parents, thankfully, told me I could move in right away even though I offered to rent a place in town. They wouldn’t have it. Leo told me he was relieved I was there to watch over his daughter and grandchild while he took Lottie traveling. I responded that Abi could very well take care of herself—but I was honored and grateful all the same. They accepted me as a part of the family.

Hartwell Hills came into view, and my body grew restless. The entire seven hours in the car had nothing on this feeling. My legs were itching to move, and my thumb kept tapping the wheel. She was too close; I could feel her. The constant phone calls, Facetimes and texts weren’t enough to curb the want I had for Abi, even if we had done more than I expected we’d ever do over the phone. But I was going to have her in my arms, and this time I was never going to let her go.

The main house came into view, but I turned my rig off to the stables, knowing that’s where Nova would be living for the rest of her life. Getting her settled was the second task on my to-do list. The first was kissing Abi.

I pulled the truck to a stop, my eyes landing on the family standing in front of the stables. Lachlan stood with his arms folded across his chest. Wyatt was next to him with his baseball cap on backwards, and Rhett gave me a wave. Abi was next to them, her hands on her hips when her head turned at the sound of my breaks. She didn’t even hesitate; she broke out in a run and was jumping into my arms the second I stepped out of the cab.

“You’re home,” she said as she buried her head in my neck, her legs wrapping around my waist.

“I’m home,” I whispered, breathing in her cinnamon scent.

She raised her chin, taking her mouth with mine in a deep kiss.

“I missed these lips.” I kissed her again.

She hummed against me. “I’ve missed all of you.”

“Okay, stop!” I heard someone bellow. Looking behind her, I saw Wyatt holding his arms out, a look of complete annoyance on his face. “I said I’d get used to you, but I don’t want to see that every day.”

“Shove it, Wyatt. I haven’t kissed him in three weeks.” Abi jumped from my arms, her hands sliding down to my fingers.

Wyatt rolled his eyes at his sister but gave me a nod. A nod of acceptance, possibly?

“So…what are we doing?” I asked as soon as we were in front of the stables. All of us men and Abi stood staring at the entrance, studying the brown wood that already looked weathered. I raised my eyebrows. Well, at least it had a new roof.

“Your girlfriend is demanding a sign forherstable.” Lachlan didn’t even look away from the blank space above the door, “and we’re trying to figure out how big to make it.”

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