Forty-Four

Saturday, February 24, 2024

"Mornin'," Stone said when he walked intothe main office of D S Landscape on Saturday morning.

"Good morning," Tara replied with a smile, her gaze darting to the box he was carrying in one hand, the drill he had in the other, as she reached for the ringing telephone. "Stevie's in her office. Nico's out on a job site."

"Thanks."

Leaving her to her business, Stone headed for Stevie's office. The door was closed, but he'd learned over the past few days that was par for the course. It was the only way to keep J?ger from getting into everything. Stevie wasn't thrilled with it, but she said it was the only option she had.

Hence the reason he was there.

Stone set the box on the floor, leaned it against the wall, and then balanced the drill on top before knocking on the door. He waited until Stevie called out from the other side.

"Careful," she shouted. "Don't let—"

Stone slipped inside, keeping J?ger from sneaking out.

"Oh, hey," she greeted, leaning back in her chair. "I didn't know you were comin' by."

"I brought a gift," he told her as he scooped J?ger up and carried him over to her. He set the puppy in her lap, then leaned in and stole a quick kiss from her utterly kissable lips.

"A gift?"

"Yep." He turned back to the door. "Hold him."

"That's easier said than done," she called from behind him. "He's squirmy and curious and gettin' more so by the day."

"I'm about to solve that problem," he informed her as he stepped out into the short, narrow hall that separated their offices from the rest of the space.

It took less than a minute to open the box and pull out the child gate. With drill in hand, he moved to the outermost point of the hallway before installing it with a few screws.

"What is that?" Tara asked from her desk. "Never mind. I see it now. That's smart. We should put one on the front door."

Stone looked up at her. "I was thinkin' maybe a glass storm door for there. That way, you can see who's comin' in before they get there."

Her eyes widened. "That would be awesome. Then he won't have to be locked up in there all the time."

"And when he has to be, this'll help with that," he told her as he stood up and pulled the retractable gate closed, hooking it so it would keep J?ger in.

Stevie came out of her office, still holding the squirmy puppy in her arms.

"He's good now," Stone assured her. "This way, he can go back and forth between your office and Nico's whenever he wants."

"That's … wow. I didn't even think of that."

"Tell her about the storm door idea," Tara shouted before answering the phone with, "Good morning. D and S Landscaping Solutions. How can I assist you today?"

"A storm door?" Stevie asked.

"Yeah. The glass kind. That way, J?ger can look out."

Stevie laughed. "You told Tara it was so she could see when someone's comin' in."

"Gotta know your audience to get 'em on your side."

She smiled and it triggered the warmth in his chest as it always did.

For the past few days, Stone had been spending quite a bit of time with Stevie and Nico. Ever since their declarations the other night, they'd taken to spending their nights together. He was bouncing back and forth between his house and theirs since it was easier to sleep at their place because Stevie insisted a girl needed her things.

Stevie had mentioned he should simply move in—though she'd said it in a roundabout way, not an actual invitation—but Stone wasn't ready for that yet. Well, he was, but he wasn't. Until he could figure out what his future held in terms of a job, he refused to become a burden on them. He intended to fully contribute to the relationship when he took that leap. And he also intended for that to happen in the very near future. No more procrastinating for him.

"I'll gladly buy the storm door if you can find someone to install it," Stevie told him as they watched J?ger sniff at the gate.

"I'll pick one up in a little while. I can install it for you."

"You don't have to do that."

His phone rang before he could tell her he didn't have anything else to do at the moment.

Stone pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. "It's Zane."

"Answer it," she said urgently.

She was obviously hoping it was good news. The morning after their eventful evening, he'd explained to Nico and Stevie that Zane was refusing to give his approval. They'd taken it in stride and even encouraged him to take some time to figure out what he wanted to do next. But he was through biding time. He'd called the school superintendent that morning and scheduled an appointment to talk about the future of the FFA program and how he could contribute. It might not be his ideal job, but it was something.

"Stone," Stevie hissed as his phone continued to ring. "Answer. It."

He swiped the screen to take the call and put the phone to his ear. "Yeah?"

"Hey. You got some time this mornin' to talk?"

His first instinct was to tell Zane they had nothing to talk about, but he bit back the retort and said, "Yeah. Sure. Where?"

"My parents' house. In half an hour?"

"I'll be there."

"Cool. See you then."

The call disconnected.

"What did he say?"

Stone looked into Stevie's hopeful gaze and relayed the few words they'd exchanged.

"Good thing it'll only take you five minutes to get there."

"Why's that?"

She flashed a grin, and her gaze turned molten. "Because I was thinkin' I needed to pay you for the gate."

"I don't need you to—"

"I wasn't talkin' about money, Stone," she said pointedly, her eyes glittering with mischief.

"Oh." Ohhhh. "What'd you have in mind?"

"Follow me and find out."

Twenty-five minutes later, Stone was parking his truck next to Zane's at his aunt and uncle's house. Despite his reservations, he had a spring in his step. That was all Stevie's fault. She'd blown more than his mind right there in her office with her seductive twist on her repayment—which had been completely unnecessary, but he damn sure wasn't complaining.

It didn't matter what Zane had to say because he was pretty sure the smile was firmly rooted to his face. Being back home in Coyote Ridge and having Stevie and Nico in his life was the best of everything as far as he was concerned. The rest would fall into place as it was meant to.

However, he would hear Zane out. It was the least he could do.

He got out of his truck and started toward the front porch but stopped when Zane called out to him.

Spinning around, he watched as Zane hopped out of his truck and made his way over. "Why aren't you inside?"

Zane stuffed his hands in the pocket of his coat. "That conversation doesn't involve me."

Stone was confused. "I don't under—"

"Look, man. I acted like an idiot."

The about-face caught him off guard, but he faced Zane, willing to hear him out.

"I let my personal feelings get in the way. I'm sure Reilly told you, and I'm sorry about that. I fucked up."

"Reilly? What does she have to do with this?"

Zane's eyebrows rose. "You didn't talk to her?"

"Not in a few days, no."

A sheepish grin pulled at his cousin's mouth. "Let's just say that sister of yours is one of a kind."

She was that, though Stone wasn't sure why Zane thought so.

"She dressed me down good. Right in the middle of the diner."

"What?"

Zane laughed. "She missed her calling. That girl could be president one day. Or maybe in charge of the CIA. She's quite the interrogator." He poked the toe of his boot against the ground. "She made me realize I was bein' an idiot. I let my personal bullshit interfere when I shouldn't have."

"What personal bullshit?"

Zane shook his head. "I'll let her give you the lowdown." He cocked his chin toward the house. "Right now, they're waitin' for you, and it's too fuckin' cold to stand out here when the only thing you need to know is that I'm sorry. I know you left because you were chasin' your dream. It's not my place to judge you for that."

"Chasin' my dream, huh?" Stone waited for Zane to look up. "That makes it sound almost noble."

Zane frowned.

"It's true, I wanted to work on a ranch, thought I could make a career out of it, but it wasn't really ever my dream. I lied to myself for a long time, tryin' to make it mine, but it didn't stick."

"Why'd you leave then?"

"Because I was in love with Stevie."

Zane's forehead creased, his confusion evident.

"I was in love with her," Stone clarified, "but confused after … after somethin' happened with Nico. It took one night with the two of them for me to realize what I needed to be complete."

"Two partners?" Zane prompted.

"Yeah. But Stevie was still in high school, and I had nothin' to offer her. When I thought about what I would want from her at that point, what I might ask of her, I knew she deserved more than that. So, no, I wasn't chasin' a dream. I was runnin' from the only thing I've ever loved."

"Wow. That…" Zane inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "That makes so much damn sense."

He wasn't being facetious, so Stone waited for him to say more.

"Love makes you do crazy things, huh?" Zane asked. "Your sister tells me you're with Stevie and Nico now."

"I am. And this time around, I won't take it for granted."

"A hard lesson to learn."

That was an understatement.

"I guess I should've heard you out, huh? Would've saved us both some time." Zane stood taller. "I'm sorry for the part I played in this. Like I said, personal bullshit got in the way."

The last thing Stone expected was an apology. He thought for sure he was being summoned so his aunt and uncle could deliver the bad news in person. He'd even come up with a speech of his own because, as far as he was concerned, it was all behind them. Stone wouldn't hold a grudge. In fact, he understood.

"We good?" Zane asked, his eyes glittering with what looked a hell of a lot like hope as he held out his hand.

Stone clapped his palm against Zane's, then pulled him in for a back-slapping hug. "Of course we are, man."

Zane hugged him back. "Maybe you can swing by the house one of these days. The boys would love to see you. And V's eager to hear more cowboy stories. She was pissed that Beau got to hear 'em before she did."

"Just tell me when, and I'll be there."

Zane nodded as he stepped back. "Go on. They've got somethin' to talk about, and you know how my Pop gets when you keep him waitin'."

Stone waited until Zane pulled out of the driveway before he went to the door.

***

"Come on in, boy!" Curtis called fromhis place at the kitchen table. "You don't need a chaperone."

Lorrie chuckled. The things her husband came up with. His gruff tone would've scared away a lesser man.

She got to her feet as her nephew came inside, shrugging out of his coat and hanging it on the rack near the door. His heavy steps echoed on the hardwood as he made his way to the kitchen.

"Coffee?" she offered.

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you."

"Sit," Curtis grumbled.

Lorrie rolled her eyes and shook her head as she prepared the coffee. She also smiled because she knew her husband was excited about this meeting. You wouldn't know it to hear him talk, but he'd been going on all morning about it. He was probably looking forward to it more than Stone.

Then again, she wasn't sure her nephew was all that excited. He looked like someone had just kicked his dog.

"Thank you," Stone said when she placed the mug in front of him.

"So?" Curtis prompted. "You bring it with you?"

"What's that, sir?"

A lot of sirs and ma'ams being thrown around. That usually didn't bode well.

"Your proposal. I got an earful from my boys. I thought for sure you'd bring it for me to take a look at."

Stone glanced her way, then back to Curtis. "I left my computer at home. I thought… I can go get it."

"No need." Curtis pulled a laptop from the empty chair and set it in front of Stone. "Use mine."

"I can't access it from your computer," Stone explained. "It's on my hard drive."

"It's on mine, too." Curtis lifted the lid on the computer. "Go on."

Stone frowned. "I'm confused."

"You shouldn't be."

Lorrie watched as Curtis took a sip of coffee, acting as though it was no big deal. It was a big deal—a huge one, considering the email that had been sent with the proposal.

"My email's open. Pull it up," Curtis instructed.

Stone's finger swiped across the trackpad on the computer, his gaze still lingering on them.

"It's in the email," Curtis said, his tone gruffer than before.

"Yes, sir."

"Now don't go gettin' nosy, boy," Curtis said, and it was clear he was trying to hide his smile. "Just look for the email from Nico Daugherty."

Stone's head snapped up, his eyes wide.

"You look surprised, boy."

"I am."

"Surprised that Nico sent it to me? Or surprised that he sent a novel along with it?"

Lorrie smiled when Curtis looked at her and winked.

Last night, she'd read the email that Nico had sent to Curtis, explaining all the reasons why Stone deserved the opportunity despite Zane's reason. Evidently, they hadn't been aware of their youngest's change of heart.

"Go on and read the email first," Lorrie told Stone because she could see on his face that he was curious.

"Read it out loud," Curtis tacked on.

Stone's gaze swung between them once more before his attention returned to the screen. "Mr. Walker, I'll warn you that I have an extra set of eyes on me as I type this. Those beautiful eyes belong to Stevie Shepherd. As for why I'm writing this and not her, I can't explain. It's simply the way she wants it, and as you probably know, when you love someone, you do their bidding without question."

Lorrie's heart filled with warmth the same way it had the first time she read it.

"I'll also tell you, the only bidding I'm doing is hers because Stone doesn't know about this email. He doesn't know that Stevie and I have spent the better part of two days attempting to figure out how to make his dreams come true because that's what you do when you love someone. You go to bat for them."

Stone inhaled sharply, his eyes looking questionably glassy, but Lorrie didn't mention it.

"Keep readin'," Curtis instructed.

"That's what we're doing. I'm writing this because we want you to know that Zane may have valid reasons for judging Stone based on his history, but Stone is so much more than the mistakes he's made. We've all made our share, and we'll continue to do so because that is the way of life. Stone deserves to be judged on who he is now, and I'll tell you firsthand that he's not the same man he was fifteen years ago. And yes, I'm biased. I love him. Stevie loves him. We only want to give him what he's given us, and that's far more than I can explain in a brief letter."

Curtis snorted, again winking at her. "Brief, he said."

Lorrie smiled. "Hush now. Go on, Stone."

He cleared his throat. "I've attached the business proposal that Stone has worked diligently to prepare. I hope you'll take a few minutes to review it because, sir, it's impressive. I honestly think Stone missed his calling. He's got a head for business, and I think success is inevitable when you allow a man as determined as him the opportunity to pursue his dream. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we couldn't let you make it without ensuring you had all the facts. Stone is a good man, and you can't go wrong investing in him. I know this for fact … sorry, make that we. Can't leave Stevie out. Thank you for your time."

Lorrie didn't attempt to hide the tears that welled in her eyes. The first time she'd read the email, she'd sobbed like a lovesick schoolgirl because that was one of the sweetest things she'd ever read.

"We looked over the proposal," Curtis said when Stone took a gulp of his coffee, clearly biding time before he spoke. "Nico's right. It's rather impressive."

"Thank you, sir."

"Don't thank me, just promise me somethin'."

Stone's eyes locked on his uncle.

"Promise me that you'll keep followin' those dreams. I'm not here to dictate what you can and can't do with that land. It's never been about that. I wanted to see that you were serious and"—he nodded toward the computer—"even without that novel, I knew you were."

"Yes, sir."

Curtis looked at her, and Lorrie's chest warmed from the love she felt for him. It was always like that. Curtis Walker had stolen her heart sixty years ago, and he still held it in the palm of his hand because that's what you do when you find your soulmate. You give it to them because you know they'll take care of it no matter what.

She suspected that Stone had found his soulmates, too.

"This is for you," Curtis told him, producing the envelope he'd hidden in the chair. "I had the papers drawn up and that's a deed to the land. It's yours, free and clear. We only ask that you hold to our original stipulations. If it ever gets too much for you, pass it along to someone in the family who'll do right by it."

Stone's throat worked on a swallow. "Yes, sir."

"Now, if you're done with your coffee, I think you've got work to do, boy."

Stone huffed a laugh, and Lorrie could tell he was holding back the emotion churning inside him.

"Or you could stay for another cup of coffee, and we can talk about your plans to build a garden for the school," she told him. "I love the idea."

Stone smiled. "I'd like that."

"Good," Curtis grumbled. "Go put on another pot, boy, and you can tell us all about it."

Lorrie laughed, shaking her head. That wasn't what she meant, but who was she to intervene?

Curtis somehow knew exactly how to keep the kids from shattering into pieces, even when it was clear they were on the verge.

He was a good man, her husband.