26. Everly

Chapter 26

Everly

W e pull up to the ranch, and I’ve barely got the truck in park before Willow scurries to unbuckle and bounds out of the truck, slamming the door without even looking back.

“Willow!” I shout but can’t help but laugh, shaking my head. She’s already disappeared into the barn, where she’ll likely spend the rest of the evening. I’ll have to drag her out to eat and to sleep.

A truck pulls up behind me and stops. A man gets out. He reaches into the bed of the truck and hefts up two large bags. He sets them on the side of the driveway and lifts a hand and waves as the truck backs out and leaves.

I stuff my hands in my pocket and wait as he turns to me. “Everly, what are you doing here? ”

“Kincaid?” I say, surprised, as I take in the tall, handsome cowboy in front of me. He wears Wranglers, or more like the Wranglers are wearing him. Kincaid has always been the golden retriever version of Nash. Nash is more of a German shepherd, but both are very good looking. That McCreedy blood flows strong in these men.

I cross the distance and hug him as he pats me on the back with a wide grin. “I haven’t seen you in a spell.”

“It’s been a while. I heard you were on the pro rodeo circuit showing bulls who the boss is,” I tease. I haven’t seen Kincaid since that night we moved back. But honestly, other than thanking everyone, that night isn’t one that I remember a lot. I remember being so tired.

“Something like that,” he says as his mouth quirks up on one side. “Where’s Willow?”

“She’s in the barn. Where she lives now,” I joke. “That kid loves horses. This place is a dream for her,” I say as we both head toward the big door of the barn.

“Momma, come see Waffles,” Willow calls from one of the back stalls.

Willow stands in front of the baby donkey, stroking his head as she speaks to him softly.

Kincaid whistles through his teeth and says, “It’s like looking back in time at you, Ev.”

“You’re not the first person to tell me that today,” I say as I reach for the jar of apple cookies on the shelf and take a handful to give to Willow .

“Keep your hand flat like this.” I show her.

She giggles as Waffles tickles her fingers with his mouth and nose.

“Want to help me with chores?” Kincaid asks as he leans against the stall, stroking Waffles and giving him a good scratch on his neck.

“Yes!” she says excitedly.

I smile. “Honey, listen to Kincaid and do what he says. I’m going to go start dinner.”

I return to the truck, take out our overnight bags and my purse, and hurry up the front porch steps.

I stop and look back over the horizon at the sun starting to turn to the golden hour and the shadows it casts on the barn and porch. I sigh and breathe out. It feels like coming home when I come out here to the ranch.

I get to the kitchen, and the casseroles for dinner have been prepared. About a dozen hands work on the ranch, and they have their own dining area here at the main house with a door off to the side. They have a refrigerator stocked with snacks and various foods ready to eat. But there’s always a hot breakfast and dinner for them. They have lunch boxes that they stock from the refrigerator for their lunches.

I read the note left by one of the other rancher wives sharing the work rotation. I have two dinners to prep and prepare for the next one for tomorrow, and there was a grocery delivery coming that I need to restock the refrigerators with. I check the breezeway and find the items stacked in boxes and grocery bags. I begin to haul everything in while the ovens preheat for the casserole. I set out plates and silverware and get everything stocked and set up. While it cooks, I prep the roast, potatoes, and carrots for tomorrow to keep the schedule flowing. It’s been cool to see how many people show up for the McCreedys and help them when needed.

I look up and see Nash’s truck pull up and park beside the farm truck I’ve borrowed. I smile and grab a towel to dry my hands. I see him start to head this way, and he stops to pick up Kincaid’s bags that he’d left out there and bring them inside.

“Hey, Kincaid’s here. Those are his.” I point at the bags he set on the floor.

He looks relieved. “Good, I thought maybe a ranch hand threw in the towel. We can’t afford to lose anyone, especially not now.”

“I’ll have you know my cooking hasn’t scared anyone off yet,” I say as I refill the butter container and slice the bread.

“Beautiful, the way you cook, the ranch hands would be doubling if other ranches got wind of your cooking,” he says as he washes his hands.

“Aw, thank you. I try.” I lean over and kiss his cheek.

“What do you need help with?” he asks, drying his hands on a towel.

“I’m all set in here if you want to go check on Willow and Kincaid. She’s supposed to be helping with chores. He jumped right in, didn’t even bring his bags in.” I laugh, gesturing to the bags.

“Sounds like Kincaid. I know he’s missed home. Glad to have him back. ”

“How long is he home for?” I ask as I pull hot casseroles from the oven and set them on the counter.

“Not sure, but I’ll go get them for dinner,” he says as he slides on his hat and steps in his boots.

I lean up and kiss him. He pulls me into him and pushes me up against the doorframe, my body melting into his.

The door to the side dining room opens, and a bunch of loud ranch hands come barreling in, interrupting us. One whistles and cheers us on as they see us break apart from kissing.

“I better get to them.” I laugh as I straighten my hair and shirt.

“I’ll go get our girl,” he says as he ducks out.

Our girl.

That sends a warm zing through my body. And I can barely focus as I get everyone fed and clean the kitchen up as I go. It feels like home, and I don’t want to leave. The only thing missing is Anna and Mack.

Nash heads back to close the pub, and Hayley comes in as I finish the loaves of banana bread for tomorrow morning. As an extra treat for the hungry staff, I threw in a few dozen pumpkin muffins, too.

I love being out at the ranch, baking and cooking, I realize as I finish cleaning the kitchen.

“Hey, hope you saved me something.” Hayley looks exhausted as she kicks off her shoes and throws her hair up in a messy bun.

“Of course I did,” I call as I turn off the oven, removing her plate. “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Just finishing up some inventory and our order at the pub.”

“Where’s the farm truck? I didn’t realize you guys were here,” she says as she heads to the oven.

Her eyes are tired with dark circles under them. I know she’s close to her grandma, and hearing that she’s not well is taking its toll on her. But I sense it’s more than that. Something is going on with Hayles.

“I think Kincaid has it. He’s back,” I tell her as I slide her plate over and grab her a fork.

“He probably went to the pub, and I just missed him. Darn it,” she says, taking the plate.

“Where’s Willow?” Hayley asks as she sits at the counter and takes a bite.

“She’s upstairs in the shower. I practically had to drag her in here since she insisted on saying good night to every single horse and donkey. Twice.”

“That probably took a while.” Hayley chuckles.

“She loves it here. Are you sure you won’t miss this place when you leave?” I ask, gently bumping her shoulder with mine.

“Of course I will. I just want to travel. I can’t explain it. I just have this urge to go explore and get out there.”

“Then do it. We only get one life. Go find your hot Irish man,” I say. “Hey, it’s the opposite of your parents. Your dad came here and met your mom. You would go there to meet an Irishman. It’s so romantic. I mean, this is like a Hallmark movie.”

Hayley tries not to smile. “I just want to have fun. I think I’m giving up on finding love. I’m not even sure it exists anymore at this point.”

“What exists?”

“Real love. What my parents have is something that usually only exists in books or movies.” She quirks a brow.

“I don’t believe that,” I say because deep down, I’ve always been a romantic. I’ve always believed in love; I just didn’t have it. Until Nash.

“Maybe you’re the walking talking Hallmark movie,” she says as she looks over to see Nash come across my phone.

Nash

I’ll be back late. But wanted to say good night to you.

My heart beats quicker just seeing his text.

I’m in so much trouble. I’m living in a freaking Hallmark movie. And I don’t hate it. I love it. I want that for Hayley, too. Even if it’s not perfect, love is messy sometimes too.