Chapter 33

Chapter Thirty-Three

Rafe

Aunt Lori: You two are coming to dinner tonight.

Me: Do we get a say in it?

Aunt Lori: No. You need to come out of your little love nest at some point. Besides, Zach has news.

Me: Abby and I do have jobs, you know.

Aunt Lori: You’re the boss and can leave on time for one day. Besides, everyone has to eat.

Me: Fine. We’ll come to dinner.

Aunt Lori: Good. You’ll be on my team.

Me: Team for what?

Aunt Lori: Beck is making chicken parmesan, and I want the biggest piece.

Me: Can’t you just ask for it?

Aunt Lori: Where’s the fun in that? Besides, I have the perfect distraction. I’ll tell you my plan once you get here. Just in case someone tries to steal my phone and learn my secrets ahead of time.

Me: Um, no one is going to steal your phone. Are they?

Aunt Lori: Zach can be a sneaky bastard. Don’t let his easygoing nature fool you! Now, I need to work on my branding for my new social media accounts. Dear Aunt Lori is going to be a huge hit. I can feel it. heart emoji

O nce Abby dismounted, I could tell something was different about her. Smiling, she excitedly told me about her first time picking out a horse. Then she went on to recall stories about competing in local competitions as a teenager and winning.

And by the time we’d picked out a pair of animals and agreed to a trial period, the somewhat reluctant, depressed version of Abby from earlier in the day had vanished.

Every time she smiled or looked at me with bright eyes, my heart raced faster. I’d never really thought about how someone’s happiness could affect my own this much. Sure, I’d helped my parents and sister when I’d been younger. But that was different, more like a son and brother helping when he could.

However, with Abby, I wanted a future together where we were stronger and happier together than we were apart. One where we raised our own little family and taught our son or daughter to ride and kick a soccer ball around. One where we could be ourselves, laugh together, and be there for one another whenever things got tough.

I loved her. So much.

And I wished I could tell her. But I didn’t think she was quite ready to hear it and believe me yet. Not while her ex loomed over us and she couldn’t look toward the future, always worrying about how her past might ruin the present.

I would’ve settled for making love to her again, but her aunt had ordered us to dinner. Since it was just family, we decided not to go home and change, but just head over to her family’s house from the stables.

During the drive there, I kept stealing glances at Abby as she would glance at her phone and then stare out the window. I was content not to talk and simply feel comfortable in her presence. Especially as she hummed along to the radio for most of the drive, hopefully a sign she was in a better mood.

As I pulled into her family’s place, it was hard to miss the giant banner over the door that said, “Bon Voyage!”

I asked, “Is someone going somewhere?”

Abby shook her head. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”

As she exited the car, I thought I saw worry cross her face. However, by the time I walked to the other side and took her hand in mine, she smiled at me.

I was tempted to pull her close and kiss her, but the door opened and Emmy rushed out. She glanced at me, then Abby, and asked, “How did it go?”

Abby raised an eyebrow. “You knew about us going to the Sakamoto place?”

“Yes. Rafe told me he was thinking of buying some horses, and I thought maybe you could help him.”

For a second, my sister searched Abby’s gaze. But then Abby released my hand to hug Emmy. “Thanks for suggesting it.” She leaned back and released her. “I spent so many years thinking that if I ever went near a horse again, I’d only remember my parents and be bombarded with grief. But I was wrong. Yes, I was a little sad at first. But then the happy memories flooded back, and once I jumped back into the saddle, I felt as if I’d regained a piece of myself.”

Emmy took Abby’s hand. “It was like that when West fixed up the calving barn.” Her gaze moved to me. “Sometimes, we need to revisit the past to fully be able to move toward the future.”

I knew what my sister was hinting at—I’d avoided visiting most of the property that had been my parents’ and then mine before I’d given it to Emmy.

Maybe it was time to walk through the fields, visit my dad’s office, and maybe even the calving barn. West was even bringing cattle back to the ranch for the first time in a long time.

Abby took my fingers and squeezed. “I’m up for some exploring, whenever you’re ready.”

She smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but do the same.

West’s voice ruined the moment, though. “Do you really have to make doe-eyes at each other?”

Abby stuck her tongue out at her brother. “Considering I’ve had to watch you and Emmy do much worse for months and months, you can’t complain.”

“What? Like this?”

West tugged Emmy to him and kissed her. Not a peck, but a deep kiss that definitely had tongues involved. Instead of being upset like when I’d first learned of their relationship, I tried not to laugh at the outrage on Abby’s face.

Abby turned around and shook her head. “Ugh. I really don’t need to see my brother and best friend pretty much having sex with clothes on.”

I turned in the same direction as Abby and murmured, “If you ever want to surprise them with an even better kiss, then just say the word.”

She laughed. “I’m tempted.”

Just as I was about to suggest it, someone whistled before Zach’s voice reached my ears. “So many free shows these days. Too bad it’s with your ugly ass, West.”

Turning, I saw West flip off his brother. “Better than your face.”

Zach placed a hand over his heart and put on an exaggerated sad face. “You wound me, brother. So much. I may never return home now.”

Abby frowned. “Where are you going, Zach?”

Zach shook his head. “Nowhere yet. Not until we deal with your asshole ex.” He glanced at the sign. “Aunt Lori put that up without my knowledge.”

We all walked closer toward him as Abby asked, “But based on that sign, you have a plan, right? Why didn’t you mention it to me?”

I took her hand in mine and squeezed. Given how many times people had left Abby in her life, I wanted her to know that I was here and would stay here as long as she wanted me to.

Zach replied, “I’ve been keeping it quiet because I wasn’t sure if Beck would agree to it.”

“Agree to what?” Emmy asked.

He gestured us inside, and we followed. “I’ve been putting together a six-month-long business trip, one that will take me to various vendors, fairs, festivals, and trade shows. While the subscription boxes are doing well, I want to expand our reach beyond mostly the west coast. And for that, I need to make the pitches in person. And since summer is the high point for fairs, festivals, and other outdoor events, it’s the perfect time for a big push.”

I’d learned over the last few months about how Zach had been given more responsibility, mostly to do with sales for the winery.

In some ways, it’d help mature him a little. He and his twin had been mischief-makers as kids, and from everything I’d heard around town, Zach still was, even in his late twenties. At least until the last six months or so, when he’d focused on helping to grow the winery’s revenue while Beck handled the day-to-day operations.

Zach opened his mouth, as if to say more, but Abby beat him to it. “That sounds amazing, Zach. Out of all of us, you take after Dad the most when it comes to charming strangers.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe.” He dropped his arm. “But we’ll see if it happens this year or if I have to wait until next year. Because there’s no way I’m leaving when you need me, Abby.”

She hugged her brother and released him. “You’re sweet sometimes, Zach. But you should go, no matter what.”

He frowned. “No. I can’t bolt and abandon you.” He lowered his voice. “You, me, and Zach were always there for each other as kids, and that’s not going to change now.”

She replied, “As the three youngest, we kind of had to band together after dad’s death. But it’s okay for you to go this year, Zach. Because if it came to it, you’d come home in a pinch, wouldn’t you?”

“Of course. Why would you even ask me that?”

“So you’ll promise me that you’ll go this year?”

Zach searched her gaze. “If you want me to.”

Abby nodded. “I do.”

“Well, okay then. But that only motivates me to deal with your ex as soon as possible.”

Nolan’s voice came from behind him. “And I might have some information that can help us on that front.”

I met the middle Wolfe brother’s gaze, and he nodded. Ah. So his contacts had finally found some dirt, then.

Nolan had been quieter when younger, and I hadn’t known him as well as Beck and West. But over the last few days, we’d texted information and devised some strategies.

Behind his quiet self, there was a determined, protective older brother, willing to do whatever it took to help his sister.

Nolan hugged Abby and then said, “Only if you want to hear what I learned, Abby. It may help you in the long run, but it might hurt you a little to hear it.”

Abby straightened. “I can handle it.”

“Then come into the living room. Aunt Lori, Beck, Sabrina, and Katie are busy in the kitchen with the kids. We should have just enough time to talk before dinner.”

They walked down the hall and entered the living room, leaving me alone with Abby. I hugged her close and whispered, “Are you sure you want to deal with this right now?”

“Yes. Because it’s not just me the bastard’s actions are affecting, but my family as well. The sooner we find a way to handle him, the better.”

I cupped her cheek and searched her gaze. I asked softly, “And are you truly okay with Zach leaving?”

“Yes, I think so. It’s different this time—he should be back. And…”

“And, what?”

She glanced off to the side. “You’re here.”

My heart swelled at her words, and I gently made her look at me again. “Yes, I am. Always.”

I half-expected her to question me. But she merely kissed me quickly and tugged me into the living room.