“I love that,” Carly gushed. “Zevy, do you like it?”
“I’ll love you in anything.” Zev cocked a grin. “Jax, just make sure it’s got a zipper and not those tiny buttons down the back, because I can guarantee you I’ll rip that sucker to shreds to get it off if I have to.”
They all laughed.
Trixie’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her back pocket and said, “It’s my dad. I’ll be right back.” She headed out the patio doors as she answered. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, doll. Are you on the road yet?”
“No, but I will be soon. Nick’s family is here, and I’m just enjoying the last few minutes with them.”
“Tell them I said hello. It’s good of them to come see you off. I wanted to give you a heads-up. Your mother and I ran into Lyle and Millie Rucket this morning. Millie’s mother has taken a fall and broken her hip.”
“Oh no. Didn’t her father just have pneumonia a few weeks ago?”
“That’s right. They’re fixin’ to sell their property and move to North Carolina to be with her family. Lyle’s got only six acres, and a log cabin that could use some work, but the barn’s in good shape.”
“That should sell quickly.”
“Well, it’ll sell today, if you give me the okay.”
She looked out at the pasture. “What do you mean?”
“Your mother and I are real proud of you, Trix. You’ve busted your butt for us your whole life, and you’ve already turned the key on your business. We know you spent more than you planned on those minis, and your mother and I would like to put a down payment on this little farmette so you can start out right. I’ve already spoken to our ranch hands, and they’re fine taking over your hours here on our ranch, or whatever number of hours you’d like them to.”
Trixie’s jaw dropped. “Dad, you don’t have to do that.”
“We want to, sugar. I’ve spoken with Beckett about a loan for the remainder, and your payments would be about fifteen hundred a month, which you should be able to swing.”
“Ohmygod, Dad. I can definitely afford that.” She thought of Nick and wondered if she should hold off on buying a place until she saw where their relationship went. But in the next breath, she realized she would be letting the chance of a lifetime slip through her fingers for something that might take years.
“When I mentioned it to Trace and Shane this morning, they offered to fix up the property for you. I told you things would be different around here, and I meant it.”
Tears brimmed in her eyes. “Really?”
“That’s right. But Lyle’s fixin’ to list his property fast so he can get down to North Carolina. He’s got an appointment tonight at six with Jacob Mason, that fancy Realtor from Meadowside. I told Lyle we’d come by after you got home so you could check out the place. That should give us plenty of time to walk the property and strike a deal.”
Nervous laughter bubbled out. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll be on the road in the next half hour.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you, Dad! I love you!” Her thoughts spun as she pocketed her phone and ran inside, yelling, “Nick!”
He turned with worry in his eyes, and she ran to him in the living room where he was talking with his brothers and his father.
“My dad’s friend is moving and he’s got a place for Rising Hope! Six acres, a barn, and a log cabin. It’s perfect. My parents will help me with the down payment, and my brothers will help me fix up the cabin.” As his family gathered around, she said, “I can’t believe it.”
“Wow!” Jillian exclaimed.
“That’s awesome,” Charlotte said. “Beau, maybe you can make time to help with the renovations.”
Beau and the rest of Nick’s brothers all glanced at Nick. He wore a serious expression, but before Trixie could say anything, everyone spoke at once.
“That’s generous of your parents,” Morgyn said.
“Congratulations, honey,” Lily said.
“You’ve worked hard, and they see that,” Clint added.
“I know. I can’t believe it. My babies will have a real barn!” She looked at Nick’s expression, which hadn’t changed, and said, “I know it’s a lot, and it’s fast. I’m still in shock, too.”
“Babe, are you sure this is what you want?” Nick asked.
“A home for Rising Hope? Are you kidding? You have a ranch. You know how it feels to put your horses in their own stalls, to have your own tack room, your own pasture. Of course I want that. I’d give anything to see Rising Hope in big letters on the front of a barn and go to bed at night knowing that my horses weren’t five miles away.”
“I thought you were okay starting at your parents’ place,” Nick said. “I mean, Trix, are you biting off more than you can chew?”
His words hit her like a punch to the gut. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “What are you saying? All of a sudden you don’t think I can handle it?”
“Aw, hell,” Beau said.
“Let’s go outside,” his father said, ushering everyone out of the room. “Give them some privacy.”
Nick’s eyes never left hers. “Trixie…”
“What?” she snapped, but then a hopeful thought dawned on her. Maybe he wanted more than long distance but didn’t know how to tell her. She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Just tell me what you’re thinking, Nick. Yesterday you asked me if I wanted Rising Hope and a long-distance relationship. Did you change your mind about us?”
“Hell no,” he said vehemently.
She struggled against the rush of disappointment consuming her, reminding herself that despite how deeply she loved him, it only felt like they’d been a couple forever. She should know better than to hope he’d want more than a long-distance relationship so fast.
“I’m sorry, Trix.” He drew her into his arms, speaking soothingly. “You took me by surprise, that’s all. You know how I am. I need time to process things.”
“I know you do.”
“It’s a big change from starting on your family’s ranch. But if it’s what you want, I’m behind you one hundred percent.”
“Are you sure?”
He cradled her face between his hands, his expression softening. “Yes, darlin’. I’m sure and I’m sorry.” He pressed his lips to hers and put his arms around her. “I didn’t mean that I didn’t think you could make a go of your business. There’s nothing you can’t do. You prove that every damn day. What I meant was that buying a place that needs work and taking on a mortgage is a lot to handle when you’re starting a business. But I believe in you, and if I had stopped to think before speaking, I wouldn’t have said that. I would’ve said, let’s check it out when I’m down next weekend, and I’ll help fix up whatever you need if you end up buying it.”
“The Ruckets have an appointment with a real estate agent to list their property tonight, so I’m going to see it with my dad when I get home. I think we might make an offer before he lists it.”