Page 50

He claps me on the back and says it as if it’s that easy. And it’s definitely not. Because a month ago, I wasn’t sure I’d ever want to settle down. Having a family wasn’t part of my plan. She walked into that bar and changed my life.

I’d spent my whole adult life running from the idea of family. I hid behind rodeo life and work and did whatever I could to not face the pain that my family drags me through. The pressure of now just being a paycheck to them. None of them ever came to any of my competitions to support me. It’s just a phone call when they need to be bailed out over and over. And the thought of having a family of my own never appealed to me. I fear letting them down the way my dad let us down. But now that I’m around the Jessops and all of their friends, it seems like a dream and not the nightmare that I’ve experienced.

Jenna brushes a kiss across Ellie’s knit cap, and I watch her rub little circles across her back.

And something shifts inside me. I want this. I want mornings that start with coffee and sleepy kisses. I want babies bundled up for Christmas festivals, a loud house full of laughter and memories. I want joy like the Jessops have.

What I really want is her and whatever she wants. Because ever since that night in Vegas, she’s been all I can think about. All I can think about is how it would feel if I didn’t have her in my life and that thought guts me.

Jenna looks up and finds me staring. Her smile spreads slowly. “There you are.”

“Here I am.”

She walks toward me with Ellie still tucked against her. “I think she likes me.”

Poppy laughs from behind her at something Ollie says. They both turn and watch Owen and Mack as they skate by on the ice rink, giggling at something and pointing.

“You’re a natural.”

Jenna beams. “I’ve always thought babies were sweet.”

She hands Ellie back to Poppy, then slips beside me. Our hands find each other and slide together like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and we’ve been doing it forever.

Christmas lights twinkle across Main Street. A band starts singing carols near the white gazebo that’s decorated in the middle of the square. People are gathered around in chairs, chatting as they laugh and sip coffee.

Jenna leans into my side as we walk down the street.

“You having fun?” I ask, still caught up in my thoughts of watching Jenna and thinking about things I probably have no business dreaming about.

She laughs. “I haven’t stopped smiling all day. You were right. I needed this. We needed this.”

“We did,” I agree, starting to relax.

My phone rings, and I glance at the screen. Unknown number. “I should probably take this.”

She nods. “Sure, go ahead.”

I kiss the top of her head before stepping a few feet away. “This is Ty.”

“Ty! Doug Mercer from CBS Sports. I was hoping you had a minute.”

I recognized the voice immediately. Doug is a broadcaster and producer for one of the biggest rodeo networks.

I clear my throat. “Yeah, I have a minute.”

“We’ve been trying to get hold of you.”

“You’ve probably heard I retired,” I hedge.

He laughs. “So I’ve heard. That’s actually why I’m calling. I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity.”

I stand straighter and stare at Jenna, trying to ground myself.

He gets right to it. “A few broadcasters are retiring. We’re putting together a new team for next season.”

I blink. “You want me?”

He chuckles. “We don’t just want you. We need you. We think you’d be a great fit.”