Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Way stood and wrapped his arms around both of us. “And she’s sure as shit not alone in the world. Not anymore. Not ever again. Neither of you are. We’ll do whatever you need… no matter what you decide.”
After a moment in which I simply allowed myself to receive their support, I pulled back and swallowed. “Right now, what I need is some help. First of all, roundup. I need someone we trust to watch her in case Tully can’t stay. Way, do you think your aunt Blake would do it, or will she be too busy at the cafe?”
He laughed. “She’d drop anything to get that sweetheart in her arms. I’ll call her as soon as we’re done here and line it up. I’m sure Sheridan can cover her at the cafe. What else?”
“Kenji, I need you to find someone to start researching my legal options. Is there a way for me to decide who gets custody? Or if I don’t keep her, does that mean the Scotts will automatically get preference?”
“On it,” he said, already typing on his keyboard.
Silas and Way exchanged a look but didn’t say anything out loud.
What did that look mean? Were they considering offering to take Lellie themselves? If so… how would I feel about that?
I knew Silas and Way were the real deal. They were passionately in love with each other and dedicated to Way’s family and our friends. They would have tons of support, and Lellie would grow up here on the ranch surrounded by love and adventure. Any child of theirs would be incredibly lucky.
I couldn’t deny that a sliver of unease curled through my gut at the idea of them raising her, though. Of having to give her up while still having her so close. Of trusting anyone else to raise her.
I’d have to get over that because I couldn’t have it both ways, but I decided to let it be for now. That might not have been what their look was about, anyway. Deciding to raise a child wasn’t something you did on a whim or with a silent look.
“I need to get back to her,” I said. “But you’ll ask Jo about watching Lellie?”
“Of course,” Way agreed.
I let out a breath. “Thank you. All of you.”
When I turned to leave, Silas reached for my arm to stop me. “Don’t do anything rash,” he blurted.
“Like what?”
“Like… give her up without talking to the rest of us. Let us help you through this, Dev. Don’t make any important decisions in a vacuum. Okay?”
Maybe he did want her. Maybe he just needed time to discuss it with Way. If that was the case, it suddenly seemed like taking my time to consider things was a good idea. Not rushing such an important decision would be the prudent choice.
“Okay.”
Silas let out a breath and gave me another hug before slapping my back and shoving me toward the door. “Go get your girl. And don’t think I’m done asking you about that hottie who brought her.”
Way sputtered. “Excuse me? Hottie? What the fuck?”
Silas waved his hand over his shoulder. “Not as hot as you, sweetheart. Obviously. I just mean there’s obviously some kind of tension between Dev and his attorney friend… and I’d like to hear that story at some point.”
“No story,” I said, lying through my teeth.
Silas knew me all too well. “Sure, babe. And I’ll believe you when you can say that without turning the color of an overripe tomato. Which, incidentally, is the same color Tully turned when I asked him about you.”
I flipped him the bird as I headed out the door.
After riding back to the barn, I untacked Trigger and pampered him for a bit before turning him out for the night with the other personal stock. Someone had already filled hay nets and ensured there was clean water for everyone, which meant someone else must have taught Indigo how to do the afternoon feed.
Just when I was ready to head upstairs to the apartment, lecturing myself about the need to apologize to Tully for disappearing like I had, I heard Lellie’s little giggle come from around the corner of the barn. I followed the sound and found her and Tully sitting in the grass with a pile of dandelions between them and several yellow blooms shoved in Tully’s hair. He was making a funny face at her as he pretended to wonder what she was laughing about.
The sun shone down from a deep blue sky, and the gentle scent of horse, hay, and new plant growth floated on the warm breeze. I stood and watched them for a few moments before Lellie noticed me. Her entire face lit up, and she made a happy noise.
“Dah!”
ELEVEN
TULLY
The look on Dev’s face when Lellie attempted to say his name could only be described as shock. I knew her well enough to know she was attempting to say “Dev” because she didn’t know him as anything other than that, but the way she said it could definitely be interpreted as a toddler’s attempt at saying “Dada.”