Page 54 of Fortune's Baby Claim

Esme felt her eyes widen. “That’s great news, but you must be losing your touch if she’s not agreed to sell to you already.”

“I know, right?” Asa agreed good-naturedly. “But it’s going to be worth all the effort I’ve put in when it’s finally mine. The Chatelaine Dude Ranch is special.”

“Very special.” Lily’s smile was tinged with sadness. Esme patted her friend’s arm, then shifted her gaze to Asa. “Did you know Lily’s family visited the dude ranch when she was a baby?”

Asa frowned like he was trying to place that conversation. “I think you mentioned that,” he told Lily.

“I don’t have specific memories,” she said, holding tight to the coffee cup. “My sisters and I were only ten months old at the time. But I know the dude ranch was a special place even back then. I’m sure once you make it your own, it’s going to be really great again.”

Esme felt like there was something her friend wasn’t sharing about her memories of the dude ranch. Lily’s explanation seemed to satisfy Asa, however, who whipped out his phone and began describing the plans he had for the property to the two of them.

Lily nodded and offered words of encouragement, making Esme wonder once again why some great guy hadn’t fallen for this sweet woman. Although she had no basis to act as an expert on love at this point, Esme thought any man would be lucky to have Lily love him.

When her lunch break was over, Lily said goodbye before returning to the baby section, and Esme and Asa walked out to the parking lot together. It was a chilly day, although the sun was out. Esme lifted her head to bask in the warmth of it.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Asa asked, gently nudging her. “I know the situation with Ryder has been tough. I’ll still kick his butt if you want.”

“No need for that,” she assured her brother. “I’ll be fine. Chatelaine is my home now, and no matter what happens with Ryder and me, that isn’t going to change. I’ll manage, and I can’t wait to see you and Bea achieve your dreams.”

“With significant monetary help from Freya Fortune,” Asa added wryly.

“I hope as time goes by she starts to feel close to us in more ways than just financially. It was nice of her to help with Noah when Chase was in the hospital, although she seemed freaked out in the Grammy Freya role.”

“She’ll get there, Es. I’m glad you’re doing okay, given everything you’ve been through.” He squeezed her shoulder. “For the record, I highly recommend steering clear of love. It’s a lot easier.”

She patted his cheek. “One day, Asa, I hope you’ll see that even the hard parts are worth it.” At least, that was what she was determined to believe.

Ryder sat on one of the leather recliners in his father’s giant family room with Noah nestled against his chest. Brandon sat on the matching couch, bouncing Chase on his knee as the baby gurgled happily.

He and his brother made eye contact at the sound of their father laughing from the kitchen, where he’d excused himself to take a call from his new girlfriend, Lynda.

“He sounds giddy,” Brandon said, making a face. “It’s not right.”

Ryder chuckled and stroked a hand over Noah’s back. He knew someday his sons would be too big and rambunctious to nap on dear old Dad’s lap, so he was going to savor every moment.

“He sounds happy, which is a definite change. I think it’s a good one.”

Brandon nodded. “Dad’s a lot happier than you, given the recent change in your living situation.” He lifted Chase to eye level. “Can you explain to me, little one, why your adoring uncle Brandon had to hear from Grandpa about Daddy royally messing up with Mommy?

“Because Daddy is an idiot.” Brandon answered his own question in a childlike voice as if it were Chase speaking.

“Very funny,” Ryder muttered. “But no son of mine will call me an idiot.”

“Both of them will eventually call you worse if you don’t patch things up with Esme.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, Uncle Brandon, or that you have any room to talk when it comes to long-term relationships, but there’s nothing to patch up. Esme and I are fine.”

“Dude, you look miserable, especially given that we are finally getting a chance to make our mark on Hayes Enterprises and doing it together. I know it’s not the thought of working with me that has you perpetually scowling.”

Ryder rolled his eyes. “Are you sure?”

Brandon flipped him a middle finger accompanied by a wide smile. “You were always too serious, but she lightened you up, Ry. Esme did a whole world of good in your life. And being my co-CEO is probably the best thing that ever happened to you career-wise.”

“So modest, but right back at you,” Ryder said with an attempt at laughter that sounded more like a grunt. “Besides, Esme is still a part of my life. It’s just different. We’re going to look at properties tomorrow, so once we close on a new place, we’ll move in, and then it will feel normal again.”

“Only different isn’t good in this case,” his brother insisted. “You aren’t happy, Ryder.”

“I’m fine.”

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