Page 17 of A Rancher's Bride
Tamara caught Kelli’s eye, nodding slowly as if she’d already figured out what Kelli was considering. “I can’t commit now, but if I’m feeling up to it, I want to go.”
“We’re not doing anything too wild,” Kelli said. “It’s Rose’s turn to pick an activity, so chances are it’ll be something artsy-fartsy that doesn’t involve too much gyrating.”
“I’ll take care of the girls, so you don’t have to worry about them,” Lisa offered, pouring water into the teapot.
“Nope, I think you have to come out, even if Tamara doesn’t make it,” Kelli insisted. She raised a hand like a stop sign when Lisa blinked at her in surprise. “You haven’t done anything fun that didn’t involve certain adorable little people under the age of twelve since you got here. That’s not how we do things at Silver Stone. All work and no play—that sets a bad precedent. If you keep it up I’m pretty sure they’ll expect the rest of us to fall in line, and no way. Just, no way.”
“Work hard, play hard, drink ’til you drop,” Sasha piped up, not even aware of what she’d said before she sank her teeth into a cookie and continued reading her book.
Lisa slapped a hand over her mouth. Tamara’s eyes widened.
Kelli dropped her head into her hand and took a deep breath before looking up. Part of her wanted to apologize, but… “I don’tthinkthat’s my fault.”
Laughter danced in Tamara’s eyes. “Sasha, honey. That quote is not to be repeated in front ofanyone, understood?”
Her daughter glanced up, thinking hard as if mentally repeating what she’d just said. She made a face, then shrugged. “Okay, Mommy.”
She went back to reading, and Kelli considered how lucky she was to be a part of something so special. This house of warmth and happiness. God, she wanted this, and so much more.
Tamara gestured her over, and Kelli sank to her knees in front of the couch, shocked but pleased when the woman leaned in and gave her an enormous hug.
It was easy to hug her back, but after Kelli slid away, sitting on the coffee table as she eyed Tamara with suspicion. “Pregnancy hormones acting up again?”
Laughter burst free from both Tamara and Lisa before Tamara gave Kelli’s fingers a final squeeze and answered softly. “I appreciate you so much.”
Kelli shrugged. “I’m glad. I like my job a lot.”
The other woman shook her head. “No. I’m not talking about the you who works in the barns and tells me the gossip about what goes down. Although that’s entertaining, and I’m going to have fun teasing Caleb about the stuck door you mentioned. What I love even more is that you show up and spend time with my kids. They adore you. I can see you care about them, and I’m glad for it beyond being grateful for your help while I’m under the weather. I don’t blame you for that quote that popped out earlier at all, just to be clear.”
That warmth inside kept growing. “They’re great kids.”
“You’re more than just a ranch hand to them, and to me. We all feel that way.” Tamara took a deep breath. “You know Silver Stone is your home, no matter what, right? Like, I’m never letting you leave.”
“That sounds slightly creepy,” Kelli joked to cover up the knot forming in her throat.
“Right? Our own Hotel California.” Tamara winked.
It was Kelli’s turn to take a moment before she could speak. “I promise everything I do is because I love Silver Stone. I really want the best for her, and for all of you. You guysaremy family.”
“That’s how I feel too. Honestly,” Tamara admitted, laughing quietly as she wiped at her eyes. “And we need to stop this because pregnant women are water spouts at the best of times.”
“Cookie?” Kelli suggested, rising to her feet.
“You enjoy. Someone needs help with her homework.” Tamara welcomed her second daughter into her arms, and together they opened a book for Sasha to read out loud, cuddled at her side.
A few farewells later Kelli was wandering over the snowy ground, the warm cookies Lisa had tucked into her hand a sharp contrast against the chilly air. Across the frozen water of Big Sky Lake, lights reflected against the early-winter darkness. Luke’s frame was visible moving slowly though the kitchen of his house. Dreamlike and perfect.
Almost perfect.
The feelings bursting from inside her were as loud as a shout. Family, and more, all of it so much what Kelli had always wanted. To be a part of something bigger than herself. For Tamara to welcome her in so warmly, even though she was just a worker—it had to be a sign.
Thiswas what people meant when they talked about the stars coming into alignment. It had to be. As long as the gala went ahead, Kelli would be able to finally take the next step.
The trip with Luke would give her the perfect opportunity to let him know she had a mad, wild crush on him, and had for years. She’d have to move slowly, but this was an opportunity she would not let slip through her fingers.
As if the heavens themselves were agreeing with her, a shooting star dashed across the sky, a silver shimmer against the deepening black.
Kelli made a wish—or started to, but she suddenly wasn’t sure exactly what she was hoping for anymore.
