Page 32 of Together Is Where We Belong

“I’m glad, Leo. He deserves the world and to have you in his life. It’s what I always wanted,” she said.

If it was what she genuinely wanted, she would’ve come home before now, I thought to myself, but refrained voicing it. I didn’t need to cause any issues since she was agreeing to let me see our son. I’d deal with my disdain for this situation in private.

“How many days a week can I see him? I’m off on the weekends at the ranch,” I asked. I wanted to see him every day but knew that wasn’t likely, so I left it up to Carolina to decide.

“Why don’t we play that by ear? I know ranch emergencies happen, so you won’t always be able to be here. Just message me and I’ll let you see him any day you want during the week. It helps that you live right next door. And you can have him on Saturdays, and I’ll have him on Sundays. Does that work for you?”

She was more than generous, and it took me a minute to respond as I processed the shock.

“Can we switch the weekend days around, and I have Sundays and you have Saturdays? It’s just that my parents and all my siblings always do family dinner on Sundays, and I’d love it if Luke could join us. Crap, I didn’t take any pictures tonight to send to my mom,” I said.

“Yeah, that’ll work. Your parents know?” she asked with a gasp.

“They do. I told them the day after I found out. My brothers know too. I haven’t told Ainsleigh or Gentry yet, but that’s only because I haven’t seen Ainsleigh to tell her since she’s home with Livvy most days,” I told her.

“They’re still together? Who’s Livvy? I saw Ainsleigh at the coffee shop pushing a stroller, but I didn’t know the baby was hers,” Carolina asked.

“It’s a long story, but yes they're together. Livvy is their baby girl who was born last month,” I told her, pulling out a phone to show her a picture.

“Luke has a cousin. He’s going to love that. She’s adorable,” she said as she looked at the phone and then back up at me.

“I can send you some photos of Luke from tonight. I took several when y’all weren’t looking,” she said.

“That would be great. Thank you for dinner tonight and for lettin’ me meet Luke,” I said as I stood, knowing that I should leave but not wanting to leave Luke behind.

“You’re welcome, Leo. Let me know when you want to see Luke next, and I’ll make it work,” Carolina said as she stood as well.

I wanted to ask if tomorrow was too soon, but refrained. I’d message her tomorrow after she had time to process everything.

“Have a good night,” I told her as I walked toward the porch steps, pausing as I reached the top and put my arm on the railing, turning back to face her.

“You too, Leo,” she said with a smile.

I walked down the creaky porch steps feeling lighter but also like I’d left a piece of my soul behind at the house next door.

ten

Leo

Iwalked into my house to find my brothers sitting on the couch waiting for me to return.

Both of them stopped mid-conversation at the sight of me, and I knew they were waiting to find out how my visit with Luke had gone.

“How’d everythin’ go tonight?” Holden asked and took a sip of his drink as he waited for me to respond.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Luke’s reaction to the gifts I’d given him.

“He’s such a great kid,” I told them as I took off my shoes and walked around the love seat and sat down.

“How’d he take meetin’ you?” Brooks asked.

“He jumped into my arms like he’s known me forever,” I told them, still unsure of how I’d gotten so lucky to have that type of response from him. While Carolina had told me he knew about me, I didn’t expect him to react the way he did.

“Wow. How’d that make you feel?” Holden asked as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees.

“Like I don’t deserve him,” I whispered, withholding tears. I wasn’t an emotional man by any means. Well, I didn’t show emotion when I was around others, but I couldn’t hold this in no matter how hard I tried. A few tears fell, and I turned my head to hide them and brushed them away quickly, hoping neither of them noticed. Only I wasn’t so lucky.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Brooks said, and I eyed him curiously, so he’d elaborate.