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I laugh and hug him back. “Maybe if Holden is pinning me down,” I tease, but he’s still a big fucker, and other than a little bit of gray at his temples, he looks to be in great shape.
Holden gets to his feet to greet me the same way Wheeler did. “Good to have you back, Stone.”
I nod, accepting his words. Being here at the ranch and in the Reckless Bastards is my legacy. This is where I belong. “Agreed.” Unwilling to get too serious tonight, I turn my attention back to the women, hugging and kissing Aspen and Annabelle in turn.
Next, I find Cruz and Hennessy slamming beers near the bonfire. I plan to stop and greet them both, but a moan sounds that has me turning and nearly crashing right into a familiar and welcome face.
“Stone,” Hazel sighs. “My goodness, you sure grew up.”
I ignore the redness in my cheeks and flash a charming smile. “Hazel, the sweetest woman on Earth.” I hug her tightly. “Don’t tell Ma,” I whisper in her ear, and the familiar sound of her laughter is so fucking welcome I squeeze her a little tighter. “Where’s Saint?”
“Getting me some food, of course. You know I’m only here for the food, right?” She giggle and takes my hand, tugging me to another table where Slayer and Ella Mae are already eating. “Look who I found.”
I’m not sure who gets to me first, but in a hot second, I have two sets of arms around me, squeezing the life out of me. More than anyone else on the ranch, these two are family because I spent so much time at their house hanging out with Gray. “Aunt Ella Mae. You smell just like I remember.”
“Bacon and motor oil?” she asks with a laugh.
“Vanilla and maple syrup,” I reply with a chuckle.
“You’re just buttering me up to get me to make those chocolate chip cookies you love so much.”
“Me?” I ask innocently. “I wouldn’t dream of it, but if you find it in that big heart of yours to make ’em, I’d be happy to test them out for ya.”
She laughs before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “It’s good to have you home.”
“It’s good to be home.”
Slayer smacks my back and laughs. “Stone. Welcome home.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Well, well, well. Look who’s gracing us with his California presence. The movie star himself.”
I turn with a wide smile at that smart-ass voice. “Little Bit ain’t so little anymore.” I tug Oaklee in for a hug, smashing her face against my chest as if she was still a little scrap of a girl. “Nope, still little.”
She smacks at my back until I release her before scowling up at me and punching me in the stomach. “Pretty to look at, no survival instinct.” She moves like she’s going to hit me again and then laughs. “California made you soft. Gotta toughen you back up.”
“Aw, Little Bit, didn’t know you cared.”
She wrinkles her nose at the nickname. “I’m going to get some food.”
I watch Oaklee walk away just as Saint returns with a plate in each hand. “Saint, good to see you.”
“Too fucking right,” he grins, offering up a nod since his hands are full.
Nova and Maggie are leaning against the bar and smiling like they’re undressing each other with their eyes. Even though I want to skip that shit, I stop and clear my throat. “Nova. Maggie.”
Nova shakes my hand. “Welcome home, man. How’s it feel to be back?”
I shrug. “Strange but good. How are you handling the ranch?”
Nova takes a swig of his beer before he says, “It’s definitely different. The Bastards are cool people, though. You come from a great family.”
“That I do. Where’s the little one?”
Maggie nods her head toward the big house. “Freya is inside with the other kids. Hazel’s kids are keeping an eye on everyone.” Her gaze flickers back to Nova.
“Cool. Good to see you two. We’ll catch up later,” I promise and turn my attention to the beautiful bartender.
