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Ford walks down the aisle from his position by the cockpit. “The pilot is about to land. There are SUVs on the ground in Austin, but we do have a minor Tequila Sunrise. Somehow, the media got word of your imminent arrival. The airport is swarming with paps.”
“Son of a bitch!”
Sutton and Caden’s voices ring out together in a combined expletive that makes Jesse’s mouth twist upward in a lopsided grin.
The hero worship in his bright blue eyes grows tenfold. “Cool!”
I swat his hand. “Not cool, mister.” Swinging my gaze around, I spear first Sutton and then Caden with a stare. “Sonot cool.”
I’m met with a mumbled “Sorry!” before Ford speaks. “I’ve radioed down, advising the SUVs to be on the tarmac as soon as the plane stops. Your luggage will follow, but it’s best if you guys make for North Star immediately.”
Cade nods slowly before blowing out a heavy breath. “I love the music, but I hate the intrusiveness.” He tilts his head to one side, his eyes roving over my features. “I won’t miss it. I won’t miss any of it.”
I tilt my head, confusion plain on my features. “What do you mean?”
He shoots me that shit-eating grin I know so well. The one I love so much. “I’m quitting the industry.”
My blown eyes and gasp of shock make his smile impossibly broader.
“I’m going to make that life, Bambi. The one I always dreamed of.” He leans closer, taking my head between his hands as love flows freely between us. “The one with me and you, growing old together in a big old house with two dozen grandkids. I’m getting the life we deserve. And I’m not wasting another damn second.”
* * *
CADEN
When we’d entered onto North Star property, both Summer and Jesse fell silent as they took in their new surroundings.
I take a moment to send Noah a quick text. Like I said back on the jet, I’m not wasting any more time.
Starting right now.
Me
I’ll pay whatever it takes. I’m done with the band. I want out.
Locking my screen, satisfied that I’m working towards the life I want, I return my gaze to watch my family’s reaction to one of my favourite spots on the planet.
Their eyes grow wide as our driver takes us on a long, winding road through wide open fields, slowly edging closer to the contemporary-style ranch house Mum had insisted was built here.
When the two-storey sprawling house comes into view, Summer gasps audibly, and Jesse plasters his face to the window of the SUV with his mouth hanging open.
“Holyshit!”
“Jesse Sutton St James, watch that mouth, mister!”
Jesse rolls his eyes, returning to take in the surrounding view as my dad reaches for Summer’s hand from the passenger seat of the SUV. Tears fill his big brown eyes as his hand squeezes hers. “Thank you.”
Summer dips her head in acknowledgement, raising her eyes to meet my dad’s. “I named him for the man who treated me like his own.”
Emotion hangs heavily in the SUV when the vehicle slowly rolls to a stop outside the doors of the ranch house.
Jesse, utterly oblivious to what’s passed between his mother and grandfather, swings open the rear driver’s side door and practically bounces onto the driveway. “Do you guys have horses? Ireallywant to ride a horse.” He spins back to pierce his mother with a pleading look. “Please say you’ll let me ride a horse, Mom. Please?”
He holds his hands together in a begging gesture, making my father bark a laugh as he slips from the passenger seat with an agility that men half his age would love to possess.
“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour, and then we’ll visit Maisie. She’ll like you so long as you bring her an apple for tea.”
Dad and Jesse walk just ahead of us, talking animatedly together. Thick as thieves already, and the sight fills my heart.
