Page 34 of Knotting the Cowboys

The kitchen welcomes us back with its warmth, and I sink into a chair while the men flow into what's clearly a practiced routine. River fills the kettle, Austin retrieves items from the refrigerator, Cole checks something on his phone with a frown before silencing it, and Mavi takes up his usual position where he can see all entrances. They move like dancers who know every step, and I'm the awkward newcomer who doesn't know the rhythm.

"So." Cole's voice pulls me from my spiraling thoughts.

He's leaning against the counter, those storm-gray eyes studying me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle.

"What do you think? Now that you've seen it all in daylight?"

My fingers find the wood grain of the table, tracing patterns worn smooth by years of use. Grandpa's table. Their table. Soon to be... whose table?

"It's..." I swallow hard, trying to find words that won't betray the chaos in my chest. "It's more than I expected. More than I deserve. You've all done so much work, spent so much money?—"

"Your grandfather paid us well," River interjects gently, setting a mug of tea in front of me.Chamomile again, with honey.Already they know my preferences. "And most of the improvements paid for themselves through increased efficiency."

"Still." The wood grain blurs under my fingertips as I struggle with words. "This level of care, it's... it's beyond employee obligations."

They exchange those looks again, silent communication I can't decode.

Finally, Cole straightens, crossing his arms in a way that makes his shoulders seem impossibly broad.

"About that," he says. "We'd like to make you an offer. A formal one."

My stomach drops.

Here it comes—the catch, the price for all this kindness.My body tenses, ready to run even though there's nowhere to go.

"We'd like to stay on," River says, reading my panic with that uncanny intuition. "As your employees. Same arrangement we had with William—we run the ranch, maintain the property, handle the livestock. You'd be under no obligation to keep us long-term. Just...while you figure out what you want to do."

Right. I’m the owner now…I have to figure out what’s going to happen to this place now that I’m back…

"No pressure," Austin adds quickly, bouncing Luna as she starts to fuss. "We know this is a lot to process. But the ranch needs consistent care, and we already know the operation."

"Security systems alone would take weeks to properly transfer," Mavi points out, practical as always. "Not to mentionthe livestock are used to our routines. Disruption could impact productivity."

I stare at them, these four men who pulled me from a burning building and then spent months preparing a soft place for me to land. The logical part of my brain screams warnings—too good to be true, hidden motives, dangerous to trust. But the Omega part, the part I've tried so hard to suppress, whispers that these are good Alphas, protectors who've already proven themselves.

Why is it so hard to trust again? So difficult to see the good in them.

I already know the answer.

The constant disappointment I experienced again and again all through my life when I had my hopes high and was as blind as bird that wants nothing but to soar and enjoy the freedom their wings give.

I couldn’t see the predator behind me, waiting to strike…

That’s why it’s so hard to open my shattered heart to the mere ideology that these men who had such respectable careers to be okay with being here…working under…well, under me.

"Where would you live?" The question comes out smaller than intended. "If I... if I decided to sell?"

Something flashes across their faces—disappointment, maybe, or resignation.

But Cole's voice remains steady.

"We'd figure it out. Probably rent in town until we find something else. The important thing is what's best for you."

"And Luna?" I can't help asking, looking at the baby who's now contentedly gumming on her fist. "What about her?"

"She's adaptable," Austin says, but his arms tighten around her protectively. "Kids are resilient. We'd make it work."

Make it work.

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