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Wren climbs the bleachers, sliding between Gillian and me. Why thank you, Wren.
“Daddy let me come tonight.” She wiggles in her seat, her hand going to my hair. “I like your waves.”
“Thank you,” I say and touch her braid. “Who did your hair?”
“Romy did it in the dugout. She said she doesn’t want to play today.”
“No worries, I made it!” Brooks comes out of nowhere and raises his hands. He’s still wearing his sheriff’s vest over his Plain Daisy Ranch shirt and baseball pants.
He rounds the edge of the dugout and disappears inside.
“Seriously, Brooks, everyone knows you’re the sheriff. You can take the vest off,” I hear Lottie say.
“So, how are things?” Gillian asks, ignoring the commotion in the dugout.
“Good. Just been working.” Thankfully, I haven’t started showing that much, but it’ll be impossible to hide soon, especially because summer is coming, which means I can’t hide my belly with sweaters.
“’Cause you said you didn’t feel good last weekend, and I keep missing you on the phone.”
Which is because I always time my calls so I can leave a voicemail. She must be busy because she hasn’t popped in on a surprise visit.
I shrug. “I’ve tried to reach you a couple times.”
She nods. “And living with Emmett? How’s that going?”
“Great. He’s easy to live with.”
Gillian nods again. “You know he’s not talking to his brothers, right?”
“He said something about that. Have they not resolved it yet?”
“No. He lets Jude tell him what needs to be done on the ranch, but that’s about it from what I hear.”
Wren puts her hand in mine, and I silently thank her for saving me from the interrogation that Gillian’s just ramping up.
“Do you think they’re going to win?” Wren asks.
I look at her small hand in my larger one, and the fact that someday soon, that will be my son or daughter’s hand hits me. I have to take a deep breath before I can answer.
“I’m sure. Don’t they always win?” I didn’t see a lot of last season, but I thought they were doing well.
“No, Wild Bull Ranch won.” Walker Matthews walks up holding what I assume is the league trophy.
“He won.” Wren thumbs in his direction with an annoyed look on her face.
He is annoying. Tried to hit on me last year.
“Why are you here, Walker?” Sadie asks.
“To scout out this year’s competition. It’s the first game of the season after all.” He sits on the bleacher in front of us.
“We’re playing Diamond Spur Ranch, and they’re made up of five brothers plus crew,” Gillian tells me. “They’re pretty good when they all get along, which is rare.”
“I heard they have some new stud this year. That’s why I’m here,” Walker says.
Sadie rolls her eyes and sighs.
He looks up at us, and his eyes fix on me. “Look who’s back this year.”
