Page 138 of Reins

Dad squints one amber eye. “Refresh my memory. I was busy down in the city.”

That makes me snort. “Sure. Is it gonna be a brother or a sister?” I chuckle, wandering towards the fridge.

It’s becoming a standing joke that Dad’s gonna repopulate the earth.

Now that I have my own kids, I get it.

“Won’t know until the next ultrasound.” He grins, waving his hand. “Anyways, why is Oliver having guys working on the guest house?”

I hand him a beer, then pop the top off my own. “Pretty sure I told you?” I blink with a smirk and take a drink. “You gotta get your head outta your pants, Dad.” It’s a fun as hell twist to be the one finally teasing him.

After another swallow, I gesture towards the window. “I talked to Cade. They’re coming up to visit this fall but they’re having another baby too. So I figured there needed to more rooms to be comfortable.”

A decade of hating my uncle has shifted to wanting to do anything I can to reknit the bonds that were broken against any of our will. The accident wasn’t his fault and I still feel like shit I blamed him for the crap that happened here.

Dad’s eyes melt into warm caramel and he claps me on the shoulder. “I appreciate that, son. I can’t wait to spend a few weeks with him.” He clenches his jaw and his nostrils flare as he gazes out to the unloading trucks. “We had a lot stolen from us. I try to talk to him as much as I can now.”

“The way I figure it, if nothing else, all our kids will grow up not knowing any better and will be a family.” I take another long swallow to try and wash down the lump in my throat. “I know how much Carol and Grace love to play together. It makes me pretty happy that we fixed that part and that they’ve felt comfortable enough to spend the last couple of summers here.”

“Me too,” Dad croaks. The corner of his mouth rises. “Gives me hope.”

His arms cross with a deep breath. “Thank you. There’s a lot I wish I could fix. You’re making it better, son.”

“To tomorrows.” I raise my bottle and tip the neck towards him.

He lifts his. “And living in the todays.”

Ep Elena

“Oh my god, I’ve missed you!” I pull Rosalyn tight for a hug, neither of us budging to let anyone through the door around us.

I pull her back long enough to smile again, then squeeze her to me. “How was your drive with three kids? I can’t even imagine?”

“We flew,” Cade jumps in from behind her. “Mason picked us up and gave me one of the ranch rigs to use while we’re here.” He manages to step in with a toddler dressed as a princess on his hip and a car seat hanging from his hand.

“Sage!” I wiggle my fingers at the little blondie clinging to Cade’s arm. “Where’s Grace?” I glance between Rosalyn and Cade.

Rosalyn sighs with a smile. “She tried so hard to stay awake but she finally lost the battle about ten miles ago.”

Sage lets me pull her in for aunty smooches before wiggling out of my arms. “Bubba!” she yells.

“Boone’s in his bedroom, sweetie. He’s been excited to see everyone.” I point at the open door just off the kitchen. “Cynthia will be here in another hour, she’s hurrying home from work to see you.”

“I’ll go get our sleeping beauty. Want her on the couch?” Cade glances towards the living room.

I nod, gesturing for the baby. “That’s perfect. I would say our bed but little Abe is in there sleeping already.” I can barely stand it as Rosalyn unbuckles their tiny bundle.

She lifts him, still all scrunched, for me to see the newest McCullough.

“Rosalyn,” I gasp. “He’s so adorable.”

“Meet Montana. Cade told me how his parents named Mason and Dixon so they’d always remember where they came from. We thought Montana would always know that this could be his home someday too.” Rosalyn blinks away the tears and passes him to me. “He’s a chunk at only two months.”“He is.” I pull the groggy infant to my chest and bury my nose against his head. “Ah, no new baby smell.” I dance with him into the kitchen. “He makes me want another. Abe is walking already. I miss when they’re this tiny.”

“You should,” she laughs. “We’ve been on the fence about one more.”

“At least,” Cade grunts with a grin as he brings in their other sleeping daughter while Rosalyn closes the door behind him.

I catch the dreamy look on her face as she watches. I only know a tiny bit of her history but she deserves that look.