Page 53 of One Night Rancher

“We have had a bet going for a long time about whether or not you guys were really a couple,” said Chance. “And I win. You owe me so much money. Brother, I know you don’t have that kind of cash in your wallet, and you’re gonna have to write me a check. But we’re going to have to make sure that check is good.”

“I have more money than you do,” said Boone. “I have more endorsements. Because my face is prettier.”

“Well, you owe money to me now.”

“Are you kidding me?” he asked.

“Not at all,” said Flint, shaking his head. “I didn’t go in as hard as Chance did, but Boone owes me money too. But I figure if he wants to work it off...”

“I’m not doing your chores for you,” said Boone angrily. He looked over at Jace. “You know, this should confirm that I’m your favorite brother,” said Boone. “Because I believed you. You’re a liar.”

“What are the particulars of the bet?” Cara asked. She went and sat down on the chair facing his family. He supposed this was the very great perk of Cara knowing his family like she did. “Because, depending on if time lines and the like are part of the bet, you might actually not have won any money from Boone.”

“Why?” asked Chance.

“Well, tell me the bet.”

“That you been secretly sleeping together the whole time.”

“Nope. You lose.”

“Shit. Really?”

“Really.”

“Well, I collect on the part where I said you would end up together.”

“Yep,” Cara said. “That you can have.”

“When did you start sleeping together?” Chance asked. “Because that is probably something I can work out in terms of how much money I’m owed.”

“Chance,” said their mother, scolding. “Honestly.”

“That’s very crass,” said Boone. “Why don’t you just accept that you lost?”

“I didn’t, though,” said Chance. “Because they’re getting married.”

“Congratulations,” said Kit. “Really.”

“Yes,” said his mother, standing up and coming over to them. She went to Cara first and took her hand. Cara stood, and something shifted inside of him as he watched his mother embrace Cara. “You’re just perfect for him,” she whispered. “Exactly what he needs.”

That made something strange reverberate inside of his chest.

“Happy for you,” his dad said, getting up from his chair and coming over to clap him on the back. “Damn thrilling to have four of you married. Growing the family like this. It’s more than we could’ve ever hoped for.”

“Dinner is ready,” said his mother. As if she had cooked it. But then, what his mother was great at was catering. And he appreciated that. “Shall we go into the dining room?”

He walked over to where Cara was and took her hand, lingering in the living room for a moment as the rest of the family filtered in.

“You good?”

She looked up at him and she smiled, and that smile just about broke his heart. “Yes. I love your family. And the idea of actually being part of it is... It’s amazing.”

I love your family.

That did something to him. Echoed through his soul.

Dinner was a pretty damned beautiful roast duck and sides, and there was something about it that pulled him back to happier times with his family. It wasn’t that they hadn’t had happier times in the last few years—they had. But there was something that just felt bigger and more right. His sister being here with her husband. His brothers and their wives. Him and Cara. “I’m investing in the hotel. Cara just bought it,” he said. “She’s going to open it up and revamp it and bring more tourism into town.”

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