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I wondered if our start was written there, a new beginning, a mark in time that had altered our existence, and now that we were down here in the plains, everything had changed.
Buildings dotted the endless acres. There were a ton of barns of varying sizes and shapes that were surrounded by thickets of trees and lower areas of grassy fields surrounded by corrals and fences where more animals grazed.
In the distance was an enormous cabin that rose from the woods on the far side of the ranch, fronted by acres of lawn. It had to be at least three stories high, fabricated of rocks and wood, the pitched roof rising for the heavens.
“Holy…camole.” I stuffed down the curse before it dropped free in front of the kids.
“Holy camole, is right, Ms. Savannah. That is my cousin’s house, and she has at least ten bedrooms just for herself because her house is really big because her dad is rich and has like a whole billion dollars.” Olivia seemed more than happy to explain.
Laughter curled in my throat, and I glanced at Ezra who was grinning. “My cousin does have like a whole billion dollars,” he said.
My brow rose in speculation. “I never would have known it.”
Ezra chuckled. “If you’d come around here about a year ago when he first showed up in Time River, you’d see a whole ton has changed. He used to waltz around here in his five-thousand-dollar suits, hating the world, grumpy as all get out, and now he’s as easy as they come. I guess that’s what happens when you find the one who was meant for you, and they give you the courage to allow who you truly are to come out.”
Ezra squeezed my hand again.
I knew it was a silent promise that I could be who I truly was around him, too.
My spirit flew.
“Though I have to tell you that you got the short end of the stick if you were looking for the cousin with the money.” Ezra winked.
I had to hold back my laughter, the tease coming easy. “Wait, are you just telling me now that you don’t have a whole billion dollars to your name?”
“Sorry to break the bad news.” Honey eyes sparked with the ribbing.
“Well, I think you’d better let me out right now then.”
“Where is you goin’ to go?” Owen asked.
Affection fluttered in my chest, and I shifted in the seat to look at him.
My gaze traced over each of them.
I had been going for light. Playful. But suddenly it was heavy.
My truth.
“I’m not going anywhere, Owen.” I looked back at Ezra. “I guess we’re just going to have to make do with Sheriff and server’s wages.”
Ezra’s thumb brushed over my wrist. “Ah, I think it’s those photographs that are going to see us through.”
And there, as we pulled into an open, gravel area where a ton of cars were already parked for the party, my heart just freaking exploded.
Joy.
Pure joy.
“Let’s go have some fun, yeah?” Ezra all but shouted.
The kids didn’t hold theirs back, voices vying to clamor over the other. “Yes! Let’s go! I get to wide the horsey first!”
Ezra and I climbed out, and we both went to the back doors to help the children. Owen was on my side, and I unbuckled him quickly. He jumped out and into my arms, those little arms of his so tight as he wiggled around and squeezed. “I am a kowawa!”
I hugged him to me. “That’s right…you’re my little koala.”
I set him onto his feet and took his hand, and we rounded the front where Ezra was standing with Olivia and Oliver.
That gaze washed over me.
Sheer adoration undercut with this possession that churned on that unfound connection.
Warmth spread beneath the heat, the ground trembling beneath my feet.
God, this man had me spun up. He held Oliver’s hand in his left, and he reached for me with the other. Energy shivered up my arm at the contact. Olivia darted ahead of us, and we walked with the twins toward the cluster of shade trees that grew off to the side of the lawn where the party was taking place.
I thought the entire town had come. Since Paisley’s grandfather had lived here his entire life, it was probably the case.
A couple ramadas and picnic tables were set up on the grass, plus a ton of tables and chairs with blue tablecloths littered the lawn. Streamers and balloons were strung from the trees, and a big banner was hung across the entire area.
Happy 90th, Grandpa Dae!
A man was playing a fiddle on the elevated stage that had been set up to the far side. A dance floor was situated in front of it, and a bunch of children were already trying out their moves on the smooth, wooden surface.
Both the boys broke free of our hold and went running that way, already knowing the other kids who had gathered.
