Page 100 of Where the Blacktop Ends

“I’m an only child. They’ve always dreamed I’ll take the ranch over some day when they retire.”

“Is that what you want? To manage the ranch in Lonestar Junction?”

She shakes her head, “No. My cousin Wilder is managing things right now along with Ashwood but it’s a lot for him.”

I rub my jawline thoughtfully, already concocting another plan. “Let’s sleep on it. We have a few years. Maybe someone in the family will want to move down to Texas.”

“You think so?” she asks but before I can respond, my phone rings on the bedside table, Cash’s name flashing across the screen.

“What’s up, buddy?”

“Good news,” he says, his voice laced with amusement. “That prick mayor miraculously found the paperwork for our permits.Whitewood Creek Brewery & Restaurant – Charlotteis set to open in April.”

I rub my jawline, chuckling as Georgia snuggles closer with a sigh. “How fascinating the timing of it all.”

Cash laughs. “I’m proud of you, big brother. Everything you’ve done, all the sacrifices, it’s paying off. Now are you moving to Raleigh in January so I can finally get out of Dad’s house and move into yours?”

“Not a chance in hell you’re moving into the home I built.”

He laughs harder. “Fair enough. What are you gonna do with the house at Whitewood Creek?”

“I’m leaving it for Max and Liam. Max just got a job an hour away, and it’ll give him a place to live while he gets back on his feet. Plus, he can rebuild his relationship with Liam there. Georgia and I will be back and forth between Raleigh and Whitewood Creek.”

“That’s good. We’ll love having them Max and Liam around again.”

I smile.

“Any update on Colt?” he presses.

“I’m meeting with him tomorrow. Now that I’m governor, the news is swirling around my ’criminal’ little brother. I plan to spin that in our favor.”

“Love you, man. If anyone can get him home for the holidays, it’s you.”

We say goodbye, and I roll over to face Georgia, pulling her close.

“You ever think it’s a little crazy?” she asks softly. “We’ve only known each other for a few months, and here we are—engaged, ready for kids, planning a wedding.”

I chuckle, running my fingers through her hair. “Not even a little bit. You think I’ve ever felt like this way about anyone else? Georgia, once I hit my forties, I started stop second-guessing myself when I know that I want something. I’m not worried about how we met or how fast this has moved. I’ve seen people wait six years to get married only to divorce six months later.”

She nods, biting her lip, her eyes searching mine.

“Speaking of how we met,” I smirk, “you never told me what you were doing at that singles party at the country club.”

“James was bored and has this thing for older women. He dragged me there because he was on the prowl for a woman.”

“Figures it was James.”

“He’s always been supportive of you, you know?”

“Yeah, yeah...” I brush her off because regardless of the fact he’s been supportive of me, I’m never going to be completely comfortable with them hanging out alone again.

“What about you? You said you weren’t there for the party,” she asks.

“I was there with a client. I’d been trying to get him to sign a contract for weeks, but he kept dodging my calls. Finally, he told me he’d be at the club that night, trying to find a new girlfriend, so if I wanted to catch him, I had to show up.”

“So, you talked to him, then ditched him for the steam room?” she teases.

“Yeah, I used to hit the steam room regularly before Liam came to stay with me. After that stressful conversation with him, I needed to unwind. Didn’t expect to run into a woman there, let alone have her give me a naked lap dance on my cock.”

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