AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I knew I sounded bossy, but I didn’t care. Arya was a beautiful woman, and I knew the sort of men that went to 12 Point Buck Bar. They were just looking for a good time, and when they had enough drinks in them, they wouldn’t want to take no for an answer. And it wasn’t like I could hang out there every night and look out for her.
“I really appreciate your concern, Chet, but I’ve been looking after myself for a long time now, and I think I’m capable of telling some guys where to get off if they get out of line.”
I could tell by the look on her face that she was annoyed. But I had six brothers who got annoyed at me every day; I didn’t care how many faces she gave me. That wasn’t going to stop me from telling her exactly what I thought. And I wasn’t going to let her move to the bar. It was as simple as that. She could either decide to stay on the ranch of her own volition, or I was going to make her stay. No matter what it took.
Chapter Ninety-Two
Arya
Chet Hamilton was one of the most obstinate, arrogant, annoying men I’d ever met in my life. He was also one of the most handsome.
He was quite possibly the most gorgeous man in Montana. With his big blue eyes and dark brown hair, he had the sort of looks that would have every woman over eighteen swooning. He was probably the best-looking Hamilton brother of all of them, and that was saying something as the entire family was gorgeous.
I still couldn’t believe that I was here at Horseshoe Ranch with Eloise. It had been a risk coming here to find Eloise’s dad, especially given that I wasn’t even sure that he lived at the ranch, but it had been worth a shot, not just for myself, but for Eloise.
I loved Eloise like she was my own, but I worried about what would happen as she grew older. Would she resent that her mother had left and she didn’t know who her father was? Would she hate me? Sometimes, when I was being selfish, I wondered if I’d ever be able to get married and have my own kids. Would any guy want me seeing as I was basically a single mother?
The Hamilton family was unique. They were loving, kind, and sweet, but as much as I didn’t want to leave the ranch, I knew that I had to. I didn’t want them to think I was taking advantage of their kindness, their generosity, and their good hearts.
I knew I could be happy spending the rest of my life here, but the truth was, I wasn’t a Hamilton, and neither was Eloise. I needed to move on with my life. I didn’t want to work at 12 Point Buck Bar forever, but it was a good opportunity for the time being. The fact that it came with the rent-free apartment above the bar was an added bonus. Amelia had said that she’d look after Eloise on days I had to work, and Sadie, Lucy, and Olivia had offered to babysit Eloise during the evenings when I had to work as well. Chip, the bar owner knew that I could only work part-time right until I saved up enough money to get a babysitter. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the only option I had right now. I wanted to be able to provide for myself and Eloise without having to rely on someone else. I didn’t want to accept handouts, even though I knew the Hamilton family didn’t look at their generosity that way.
I began brushing my hair as I looked around the room and took in the old wooden bed I slept in and the gorgeous view from the windows. I could see the mountains in the far distance, and I wondered if the men, Chet in particular, liked skiing and snowboarding. I imagined what it would be like to go out riding on the ranch with him towards the mountains. We’d gallop across the acres as quickly as the horses could carry us and then stop by the river for a bite to eat. How magical would that be?
But I didn’t want to let my imagination get the better of me. That was not a possibility for me right now. And just because Austin, Beau, and Wyatt had fallen for three amazing women didn’t mean that the other Hamilton men were ready. As far as I could tell, the rest of the Hamilton men were even more stubborn.
Chet, Knox, Flint, and Hawk weren’t going to get married anytime soon. That I could tell. And I didn’t care either way. Good for them.
I looked up at the sound of a knock on my door. I placed my brush down on the table and opened it.
“Hey,” I to Sadie, who was holding a glass of milk in her hand.
“Hey, what are you up to, Arya?” She took a sip and I smiled at the milk mustache that was left on her face.
“Just getting ready for dinner. Eloise is in the kitchen with Amelia making cookies. She’s becoming a real Cookie Monster.” I smiled a little sadly. “I feel bad because I don’t cook that much, and I especially don’t bake, and well, she’ll miss these days.”
“Oh, but she’ll be here all the time,” Sadie assured me. “And I don’t bake that much either, so don’t feel bad.”
“I’ll try not to. So, how are you and Wyatt?”
“Amazing. Like two fools in love.” Sadie looked dreamy. “Two sentences I never thought I’d say, but I’m pleased about it. Um… are you sure you’re going to go work at 12 Point Buck Bar?” she suddenly asked.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Because I just came from town, and the bar shut down.” She studied my face for my reaction.
“Shut down? What do you mean?”
“Well, there was a huge sign, and there were a bunch of guys outside the door complaining…” Her voice trailed off and she shrugged. “I figured maybe you knew something about it.”
“No, I have no idea, but I don’t start till next week,” I said hopefully. “Maybe Chip just took a couple of days off.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She sounded like she didn’t really think that was what happened. “I mean the bar never shuts down, so I don’t know what’s happening, but hey, I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”
“So, what do you want to do tonight?” I changed the subject quickly, not wanting to dwell on what this might mean.
“I was thinking that perhaps we could play a board game or something. I was telling Wyatt that I just got this new board game, and it arrived, but we need at least six people.”
“I guess there’s you, Olivia, Lucy, Austin, Beau, and Wyatt, right?” I wasn’t sure I was in the mood to play a board game.
