AllFreeNovel
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For the past three weeks, I’ve felt like a new man.
A new reason to get up in the morning.
A new reason to smile.
And it’s due to two ladies who have my heart in a chokehold.
I didn’t want to wait to officially meet Serena in person, so I asked Laney if we could FaceTime and to help ease the nerves for when we are face-to-face. I wanted to get to know her a little before invading their home for a week. Then, in the evenings, I’d text Laney and thank her over and over for giving me this chance to be in their lives.
Talking Garrett into letting me have time off was easy, considering I’d never taken a vacation in the decade I’ve worked at the ranch, but getting people to cover my job was another story. This is our busy season, and with it being hot as fuck already, no one wants to put in the extra hours.
It’s safe to say I owe a few ranch hands a kidney and liver if they ever need one.
Wilder demanded Laney’s phone number in exchange for cleaning stalls, and a punch to his gut was my answer.
For the next seven days, my only concern is meeting my daughter and hopefully repairing some of the damage my disappearance has done. Although the three of us have spoken nearly every night, I’m still nervous as hell being in Texas. I’ve no idea what people will think about me being back or why they think I left in the first place. My dad will no doubt hear about my return and find a way to invade, or best-case scenario, he’ll have disappeared too.
My nerves spiked the entire two-and-a-half-hour flight, and when we finally land, I inhale a deep breath and prepare for my entire life to change.
Ayden
Walking off the plane now. Where should I meet you?
Laney
Don’t worry, you’ll see us ;-)
Furrowing my brow, I walk toward baggage claim and wonder what she means. There’s no need to be concerned, though, because as soon as I go down the escalators, I see two beautiful ladies waiting for me.
Laney’s gaze meets mine as she smiles wide, and next to her stands Serena with half a dozen balloons with a variety ofHappy Birthday DadandHappy Father’s Daywritten on them. Laney holds up a large piece of white plasterboard that reads:Picking up the hottest cowboy in Texas. And it’s decorated with pictures of Laney and Serena.
“I can’t believe y’all did this.” I shake my head with the biggest smile on my face as I walk toward them.
Laney shrugs modestly. “Serena demanded a welcomin’ party.”
Kneeling in front of Serena, I take her free hand. “Thank you. It’s so nice to meet ya in person finally.”
“May I hug you?”
“Are you kiddin’? Of course.”
My arms open as she falls into them. The balloons smack us in the face, and she giggles as I laugh.
“Since we missed birthdays and Father’s Day, Mom said we could get them for you,” she says, pulling back.
“I love them. Thank you.” I kiss the top of her hand. “I’ll treasure them forever.”
Standing, I pull Laney into a hug next and sigh at how good it feels to have her back in my arms. “Thank you.” Then I cup her cheek and mold my mouth to hers.
I warned her I wouldn’t be so polite next time, and although I couldn’t wait to kiss her, I don’t get too carried away since Serena is next to us and we’re in a public place. But the thought is definitely there.
Sliding my tongue between her lips, I stroke hers with mine briefly before pulling away.
She blinks up at me, stunned into silence, her chest rapidly moving up and down.
“You taste like strawberry,” I murmur with a grin and loving the way her face flushes.
“Um...so how’s it feel being back in Texas?” she asks after a beat of silence and noticing Serena staring at us.
