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"And let me guess, she had this grand plan?" I prompt, amused despite myself.
"Exactly!" She claps her hands together, delighted with herself. "She suggested the whole AirBnB ruse. Sent Julia right to your doorstep."
"Ma, you're something else." I lean back, the wood groaning as I rock. "You two are like a pair of scheming matchmakers from some old romance novel."
"Only the best for my boy," she says, pride swelling in her chest. "And look how it turned out. Julia is a gem."
"Can't argue with that," I admit, thinking about Jules' green eyes and fiery spirit.
"Are you mad?" Mom's question pulls me back to the porch, her concerned gaze searching my face.
"Mad? Nah." I shake my head, the smile refuses to fade. "Impressed, maybe. You've got more tricks up your sleeve than a stage magician."
"Remember, Ryan." She leans forward, her tone serious but her eyes still dancing. "The heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes it needs a little nudge."
"Or a full-on shove, in our case," I quip, pushing off the floorboards to set my chair rocking again.
"Whatever works." She stands. "Now, you gonna help me with dinner or just sit there looking pretty?"
"Guess I can lend a hand, since this is my house, after all," I reply, standing up and following her inside, the screen door slamming shut behind us. My mind drifts to Jules, miles away now, yet somehow closer than ever. Thanks to Mom and Vivian's wild scheme, my heart's been given a fighting chance. And I'm not one to back down from a challenge.
Chapter 16
Julia
The soft glow of the laptop screen lights up my face on the video call as I lounge on my cream sofa, legs tucked under me. The open-plan living room feels less empty with Ryan's face filling the space. He’s out there, somewhere between Heartville and nowhere, but right now, he's here with me.
"Jules," he drawls, that Texas accent wrapping around my nickname like warm honey, "you're lookin' so beautiful." His blue eyes crinkle at the corners, his smile wide and genuine.
I laugh, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks. "Flattery will get you everywhere, cowboy."
On the screen, Ryan's backdrop is all rustic charm with wooden beams, leather tools scattered around. His hands, those strong, capable hands, are idle; a rare moment he isn't lost to his woodworking.
"Everywhere, huh?" He raises an eyebrow, a playful challenge. "Even back to this lonely ranch?"
"Maybe," I tease, biting my lip. It's a dance we've perfected over daily texts and calls. Distance may separate us, but our connection thrives in these shared moments, these digital intimacies.
"Only been a week. Feels longer, don't it?" There's a hint of something more behind his casual tone. A longing, perhaps?
"Feels like forever," I admit, the weight of the miles between us pressing down for just a second before I push it away. "But we're making it work."
"Sure are," he agrees, the warmth in his voice warming my heart. The video call stretches on, each of us reluctant to be the first to end it.
"Tell me about your day," I prompt, eager to hear the familiar stories of ranch life that seem so far removed from my own world.
He starts recounting the antics of a stray calf, gesturing animatedly, and I'm caught up in the rhythm of our easy conversation. This is how we bridge the gap, through stories and smiles, through the unwavering belief that what we have is worth every mile.
The key clicks in the lock, and I shrug off my blazer as I toe out of my heels. Home from another day at the helm, but it's not the quiet of my Houston townhouse that calls to me. It's the anticipation of Ryan's face once again on my screen.
"Hey there, cowboy," I drawl into the phone, hitting the video call button. A smirk plays on my lips. I'm channeling all the sass I've kept under wraps during today's board meetings.
Ryan's face pops up, rugged and grinning under the brim of his hat. "Evenin', darlin'. Thought you'd be all tuckered out after wranglin' them business deals."
I flop onto the couch, phone propped against a cushion. "It takes more than a few contracts to wear me down. But speaking of wearin' down, how's Mr. Lone Star today?"
"Better now that I can see your face." He leans back, the sun setting behind him casting a golden hue over his features. "Though I reckon I could use a good distraction."
"Is that so?" I tease, pulling the tie from my hair, letting the red waves tumble free. "And what kind of distraction did you have in mind, Mr. Mysterious Ranch Hand?"
