Page 41 of A Rancher's Love
“I like you,” Ginny responded, watching as Ivy’s smile brightened. “So what about you guys? What new thing have you been dreaming about?”
Walker and Ivy exchanged glances. Happiness bloomed between them so hard and strong it would’ve been annoying if it weren’t so amazing.
“We’ve been talking about something for a while, and it looks as if we’re ready to move ahead,” Walker said steadily.
Ginny glanced around the house. “Renovations? Additions?”
A gentle snort escaped Ivy. “Definitely additions. We want to adopt.”
“Oh myGod.” Ginny shot to her feet and scooted over to give Ivy another hug. “That is so exciting. Really? When, who?”
“No timeline yet,” Walker said before accepting a hug of his own. He waited until Ginny resumed her seat to continue. “We’ve spent the past while researching and really talking out what we can handle. The next part will be the legal steps. A lot of social work visits. Getting everything into place.”
“You know Alex Thorne? Ranch hand at Silver Stone?” Ivy asked. When Ginny nodded, she continued. “He grew up in the foster system, and he has a sister who is actively fostering, so we talked to him about what he thought.”
“Fostering always sounds really difficult,” Ginny said, a little nervous because while Ivy was physically delicate, Walker had the gentlest heart of anyone Ginny knew. “I don’t think I could do it.”
“After talking to Alex, we think it would be too hard for us,” Walker said slowly. “The people who can offer that kind of support are wonderful, but we need something different.”
Ginny put it all together and made a guess. “You’re not adopting a baby, are you?”
Ivy shook her head. “We want to take older kids. Siblings, if possible.”
“Part of what we’re doing with that dreaming Caleb offered is to get things rolling. When it happens, I’ll come home full-time until I can move back up to part-time hours,” Walker said. “Ivy can’t get out of her teaching and principal job at the drop of a hat, but I can easily be replaced at the ranch.”
That was absolutely not true. “You are irreplaceable, but I do agree you guys will make a great mom and dad,” Ginny assured them.
“We’re excited,” Ivy said. “And having a blended family doesn’t worry me—it’s all I ever knew.”
That’s right. Ivy and her three sisters had all been adopted.
“Well, remember Auntie Ginny is always available to help.” She shook a finger at Walker, who looked as if he was about to turn down her offer. “I spent six months helping Dare take care of her kids. Loved every minute of it—no, that’s a lie. I didn’t like the poopie diapers. But since you will have older kids, and poopie diapers should not be a part of it, I am very much looking forward to helping you as well. I love you. Both of you,andyour future kids.”
Ivy’s eyes were a little watery. “You’re a wonderful little sister.”
Sisters. Ginny nearly gasped. “Your sisters must be over the moon. And your parents. And yourgrandma.”
Walker and Ivy laughed. “Yes, there are a whole lot of people who will be very excited. We’ve just begun the journey though. In the meantime, we dream.”
It seemed an appropriate moment for a change in focus. Ginny swung her legs to the floor so she could lean forward. “So. Living arrangements. What’s the master plan? Renovations on this place, or are you moving?”
The conversation shifted into Walker and Ivy’s more immediate needs for upgraded space to accommodate a bigger family. As the afternoon passed, Ginny offered suggestions and gloried in the reflected happiness of her brother and his wife.
Coming home to this new future was important. Ginny was so glad to be a part of the excitement and hope filling their home.
Tucker enjoyeda late lunch with his uncle, getting caught up on recent changes at the ranch. It was late afternoon when he excused himself to head back to the trailer to deal with everything involved in switching jobs.
Contacting his current boss offered another surprise.
“You just saved me from breaking bad news,” the older man shared. “Inspector went through the buildings and threw us for a loop. To meet code, we’ve got to rewire the entire system, which means the only thing we can legally board are a dozen horses in the one new barn. Which means, we don’t need any workers for the next while.”
“You mean you were about to fire me?” Tucker asked with a laugh.
“You’ve got every positive reference I can offer,” Raymond promised. “The only thing I can’t give you is a job. I’m glad you got something new lined up. I’ve appreciated having you around.”
Forward motion was always great. “I will need to come back for my stuff. Any timeline on that?”
“The sooner the better,” his now ex-boss said quickly. “When I said the entire system, that also means the lodging. I could use help getting all the animals moved into the temporary quarters or shifted to new boarding situations.”
