Chapter Sixty-Two Wade

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

Wade

Everyone needs to come to the big house tonight for dinner, I have an announcement.

NASH

It really never occurs to you that we might be busy?

It's important and you're only ever four places, the ranch, the bar, Olympia or trailing behind my sister like a lost puppy.

COLE

I'll be there, but I won't have Mabes with me, Gemma actually showed up today, second week in a row. It's a fucking miracle.

NASH

I trail your sister maybe but I'm more like a German Shepherd, a big one, strong, there's nothing puppy-like about me.

Whatever gets you through the day, bud

COLE

Are we supposed to act surprised when you tell us this sneaking around with your horse trainer is serious?

That's not why I want to see you all. Just wait for fuck sakes

I grin. They think they're so smart, I will be surprising them.

NASH

Did he just openly admit it's serious?

COLE

Finally, fuck

NASH

About damn time

We're allowed to have privacy in this family, you both should try it some time. Who I get into bed with at the end of the day doesn't need to be scribed on the fucking ranch wall.

CECE

Ooh I love announcements. We'll be there. I'm leaving the office soon.

CECE

@Nash I love you baby, but you definitely do follow me around like a puppy. Sorry not sorry.

As I said.

NASH

A German Shepherd puppy. A mean one

CECE

Yes, of course baby

NASH

And wild, can't be trained.

CECE

The wildest.

This conversation has gone off the rails as usual.

NASH

Wade?

I'm going to regret this but what?

NASH

Remember the time you told me if a woman ties you up in knots to shoot you where you stand?

Fuck off.

NASH

No need to be hostile. Just wanted to say welcome to the club

I put my phone in my pocket and make my way to my bedroom, where Ivy is finishing up on the phone with her mom, who two and a half weeks into rehab is doing excellent. Thriving with the treatment, in the coordinator's words. I gather by the way she's crying that Ivy has just told her the news about little bean. We just attended our twelve-week ultrasound and everything looks perfect, in the words of Ivy's new doctor.

We've been making space in my cabin for all of her things, which aren't many, just what she brought with her to Silver Pines

She hangs up the phone and sniffs,

"I'm never not crying these days … especially when, Wade … I know ."

I look down at her, and swipe a tear from her cheek, genuinely not knowing what she is talking about, but that happens a lot when she's in a rambling kind of mood.

"Know?" I ask as I grab my keys off the dresser and put them in my pocket.

"I know. I asked my mom to get the name of the donor program that helped with her treatment, so I could send them a thank you," she says as I move in front of her and kiss the top of her head.

Shit. I never really intended for her to find that out.

I push her hair off her shoulder and use my thumb to rub her cheek as she looks up into my eyes.

"You're totally busted, Mr. Ashby," she says with a knowing look. "Angel's Wings Foundation?" she adds.

I nod. "Yes, it was technically created by the ranch and we didn't do it alone. Nash helped too. When I told him I was going to do it, he wanted to go in together. As far as the name … not only did it seem fitting, we had to think of it on very short notice."

"Why didn't you tell me?" she asks, not that she seems upset.

"Would you have accepted it? Or would you have told me you could take care of yourself?"

Her eyes narrow just a little and then a smile breaks out over her pretty lips.

"You just think you know me so well."

I chuckle and use one finger to tip her chin up to me and kiss her lips, feeling the tiny swell of her pressing into me as I hug her. I've never seen anything more beautiful than Ivy, her cheeks rosy, her belly beginning to grow with my child. I look at her with the other secret I'm harboring, and graze my knuckles down her cheekbone.

"News for you, Trouble, I do. And now it is a legitimate foundation that will help more people for years to come in your mother's situation."

"Thank you so much," she says as she hugs me. "Thank you for caring for my family, Wade."

"Your mother is my family now too." I kiss her lips again just because I can't get enough of her as my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and check it, blowing out a breath.

"Ready for this? They're all on their way," I say to her.

She kisses me back, and takes a deep breath.

"Well then, let's go. Game face, Chief."

"You owe me twenty bucks." Nash grins at Cole as the room explodes with our news.

Ginger jumps out of her seat and hugs Ivy as she squeals.

"A little grumpy version of Wade, I can't wait. Do you think he'll come out scowling?" she asks.

I look down at her, my brows knotted in annoyance.

"Just like that, look at this picture, Ivy." Ginger frames my face as best she can from her height. "This is what you'll be birthing in exactly six months." She giggles as she nudges me with her elbow.

"Congrats, Daddy Wade." Olivia smiles.

"I can't wait to be an aunt again," CeCe gushes, hugging me.

I hug her back, marveling at the difference a year makes, both of us happy after starting over.

"Love looks good on you, Sarge," she says as Nash comes to her side.

"Ditto," I say back, pulling on her ponytail. "Now, if we could just get captain fuckboy to settle down."

We both look at Cole hugging Ivy as he says congratulations.

"Not a chance," CeCe giggles, shaking her head.

"You'll have a built-in babysitter in Mabel, that's for sure," Cole says as he makes his way over to me, shakes my hand then pulls me in for a little brotherly squeeze.

My mother follows suit.

"One more little voice to call me Nana? It doesn't get any better than that," she says as she takes her hug from me. She puts a hand on my face and looks up at me. "Your pa would be so happy you've found your person." Then she leans in. "Told ya you'd have boys down by the river someday."

"Or girls, but yes you did." I grin.

"I'm always right." She winks, heading into the kitchen to grab champagne and cake for us.

"And you remind us every chance you get, Mama," Cole calls out as she goes.

"You're next." CeCe wags her finger at Cole, and he scoffs.

"I've already got the only girl I need. I've got Mabes."

"And you always have Lexington," Ginger adds and giggles.

Everyone in earshot turns to her.

"What? A whole town is hard to give up, is all I'm saying," Ginger says innocently.

"Jealous?" Cole grins, turning his hat backward, then sits and leans back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.

Ginger stalls for a minute and then retorts with a little more fire than warranted.

"Bite your tongue, Cole Ashby. I'm a lady." She crosses her arms and looks directly at him.

"Probably for the best anyway, he's a little afraid of you, he's told me." Nash grins.

Cole gives him a heated look so I chime in, "True story, he's definitely afraid of you."

"Fuck you both," Cole says at the same time as Ginger says, "He should be."

"I just have one question," Pop speaks up over all of us from the other side of the room.

We all turn to face him.

"Did anyone break the news to Wade that he's no longer the boss? Cause if not, I want to do it."

"I'm still the boss," I say immediately and with confidence, which for some reason makes everyone in my family laugh.

I look down at Ivy, who is giggling with them.

"I mean, are you really?" she asks, biting her bottom lip.

"You can be the boss some of the time," I say as I lean down to whisper to her as if I'm not totally under her spell. Which I am, every minute of every day.

"Whatever gets you through the day, bud," she says, laughing, giving me two thumbs up.

Yep, she's definitely one of them, and I don't mind one fucking bit.

"Come with me, we're leaving early," I say in Ivy's ear when dinner is done and she's thanked Nash for about the tenth time for what he did to help her mother.

"I have to help clean up."

"No, you don't. I played the pregnancy card, you're tired, it's been a long day."

Ivy grins, hand on her hip, defiant. "I have no intention of playing a pregnancy card. I'd be happy to clean up."

"I know you would, but I have a surprise for you and I need to make sure I have time to make you come at least twice before you send me into the kitchen to slave over whatever kind of ice cream sundae you and little bean feel like tonight."

She grins and it lights up my fucking soul.

"You're not lying," she admits as she shrugs, giving in.

I know I've piqued her curiosity—Ivy's eyes gleam with excitement.

"Do I have to change before this surprise?" She looks down at her tights and hoodie and I shake my head.

"No, we're not going far." I chuckle.

"Wade Ashby, what are you up to?" she asks as I set her shoes in front of her.

"Just walk with me, Trouble," I say, then I lead her out the door, hoping she'll always follow.