Page 103 of Redemption

When she reappeared she was followed by Jack, looking delicious in his black jeans and forest green sweatshirt that hugged his broad chest and made me want to snuggle up against him. He was carrying something big under a blanket and Daisy was helping him maneuver through the kitchen and he placed it on the table in front of us.

He raised his eyes to meet mine and my breath caught in my throat at the soft smile he gave me. I almost cried. Missing him was a constant ache in my chest. I wanted him so much, wanted to tell him I loved him and throw myself at him but instead I just offered him a small smile in return.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi,” I replied, like I was a lovestruck teenager when actually I was a lovestruck thirty-something.

Daisy cleared her throat, distracting us and Jack rubbed his hands together before pulling the blanket off whatever sat in the middle of the table.

“Ta da!” Daisy cheered and I stared at the wooden 3D diorama in front of me.

“What’s this?” I asked.

“It’s the new Redemption Guest Ranch!” Daisy flourished, waving her hands over the modeloohingandahhinglike she was an assistant on a shopping channel.

I looked at Jack who had taken a place by Gertie at the sideboard. “Did you make this?”

He nodded. I looked at the model, at how carefully crafted it was, gorgeously varnished, the detail of the woodwork was intricate, immaculate. “It’s beautiful,” I breathed.

“Thank you,” he replied, twin spots of pink appearing on his cheeks. I’d seen a couple of the pieces he’d crafted before, the bookcase and coffee table which were lovely but this was so much more complex and detailed. He was truly talented.

“This is what it could look like,” Daisy began, gesturing at a section of tiny cottages. “This is where we would have the guest cabins, surrounded by trees for privacy but close enough to the pasture and stables that they can experience the ranch to the fullest. Each one comes with a hot tub so they can gaze up at the stars at night. Then we have a fishing area down by the lake where we can also do some water sports and activities. We can get our hands on some dirt bikes and ATVs and take them through the trails up towards the mountains. Then horse riding, and we can run a kids’ activity club during the summer months which will appeal to locals as well as vacationers.”

I stared at Daisy, amazed at what she’d pulled together and the thought she’d put into it. I knew she’d done marketing and event planning in college and had excellent grades, but once again, I was blown away byher ability.

“This is incredible,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief as I looked down at the model. I turned to Jack. “And you’ll build it?”

He stood up straight and rubbed the back of his neck like he did when he felt uncomfortable. “Oh I, uh, I think you’ll need to hire someone to do it. I’m not good enough to—”

“Then you’ll help until you’re ready,” I interrupted. “What’s this?” I pointed to a little wooden figure in the treeline.

Jack’s lip quirked. “It’s an asshole bison.”

My mind drifted back to that day when we worked together to fix the fence, to the almost-kiss that started it all. His eyes heated and goosebumps dotted my skin before he flicked his stare away.

The girls began chattering about all the exciting things we could do and the energy in the room lifted yet again.

“Thank you, all of you. I couldn’t ask for a better family. I think, together, we’re going to do something amazing with Redemption Ranch and I can’t thank you enough.” My voice became choked with emotion. “Daddy would be so proud.” Once I said that, all bets were off and there wasn’t a dry eye in the kitchen.

Eventually everyone dispersed into their groups. August was taking me through her notes when I saw Jack slip away. “Perfect, that’s perfect, thank you,” I said, patting her hand. “Just give me a minute?”

I left the kitchen and went out the door, but Jack was already gone.

“Go after him,” Gertie said from behind me.

I faced her. “He doesn’t want me.”

“He does, he’s just an idiot. You think he would have spent all that time making that diorama if he didn’t care?” She pushed me towards the door. “Try one more time,for me.”

I sighed. “Fine, but you’re going to be in so much trouble if I come back crying again. Make extra ice cream just in case.”

Gertie waved me off and pushed me out the door. The air outside was chilly, summer was ending and fall was on the way. I couldn’t wait to watch the leaves change color on the trees. Fall was stunning at the ranch.

I reluctantly trudged over to the cabin and knocked once. I blew out a breath, squeezing my eyes shut and praying for a sign that things would work out.

“Hey,” I said when Jack opened the door.

“Hey.” He stepped back to let me inside and Teddy immediately leapt at me, yipping excitedly and I laughed as I fended off his excited licks.

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