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“Do you have a plan in your head about how you see all this playing out, Dad?” I know my dad, and if I had to guess, he already knows who he wants to do what. I think if he had it his way, he’d have Mill in his seat, Deck being Tyler’s right-hand man here, and me off to Texas. He’s told me as much over scotch on his porch, but I also know that’s not how my dad operates. He wants us to figure things out.
“That’s not what this is about right now, Ranger. I want you boys and Milly to talk about this with each other. Figure out what works best for you. My time in this business is coming to an end, and I want—need—you three to be able to make these decisions on your own, to formulate and execute without worrying about what you think I want. You guys are the future of the Slade empire.”
I nod my head, glancing over at Decker. Even though we’re twins, I’ve always felt like the older brother. He does often look to me for guidance, and I don’t mind. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all. Staying here would be best for me right now because of the possibility of what could happen with Dolly, but I need to consider what’s best for the family—what’s best for Decker and Milly and this business. I know Decker would love the opportunity to rise to the occasion and take over the ranch here with Tyler, but I don’t think he’s ready to start up a whole new branch down in Texas from the ground up. As much as I want to take the easy route and keep the status quo in my life, maybe this is my chance to step up and show my dad and my family that I’m the right man for the job—that I’m the new face of Slade Ranch. This whole operation was my idea, after all.
“Trent and I have talked about things with our dad. We’re going to have a bigger meeting in a few months with all of us, including Uncle Wyatt, Uncle Hudson, and Uncle Clay. The Slades have done so much in the last two decades: expanding the brewery with the whiskey distillery, the seltzer lines, and more recently, the acquisition and partnership with Blanc Wines. This next step of expanding our cattle ranch is going to take things to unforeseen heights for us, but it also means it’s going to require us to dig deep, put in some serious work, and sacrifice for future generations.” Tyler leans forward, his hands resting on the massive boardroom table as he speaks to us.
Seeing him speak passionately like this does light a fire in me. Just a few years ago, he was me—feeling jaded and directionless—but his dad, my Uncle Drake, challenged him to get out of his comfort zone of the ranch and take things more seriously at the brewery. After meeting his wife, Brooklyn, it’s like he finally realized that life was worth more than the grumpy bubble he’d grown comfortable existing in. Now he’s thriving with a happy family and a passion for the family business.
We wrap up the meeting and Decker, Milly, and I agree to meet later this week to talk about things. I glance at my phone, and it’s just after 1 p.m. Instead of heading straight back to the ranch, I stop over at our local bakery and grab a vanilla oat milk latte and a croissant for Dolly, her favorite “little treat” as she always calls it.
“Good afternoon, welcome in!” I hear her sing-song voice come from somewhere as the bell above the door jingles when I enter her store. “If you need anything, just let me know.” I glance around but I don’t see her . . . until I spot her feet behind one of the dressing room doors. A few seconds later, she emerges with a handful of clothes, a huge grin spreading across her glossy lips when she sees me.
“Hey, this is a pleasant surprise! What are yo—ohhh, is that for me?” She tosses the clothes onto a chair behind the counter when she spots the cup and white bag in my hand.
“It is.” I smile as I hold it out to her.
“You’re so sweet. What’s this for?” She stands on her tiptoes, planting a little peck on my cheek as she takes the bag from my hand. “Oh yesss,” she moans as she dips her face toward the bag and inhales deeply.
“No reason. Just came from a meeting at the brewery and thought I’d stop by before heading back to the ranch.” I look around the store. “Just you today?”
“Mm-hmm.” She takes a bite of the croissant. “Mondays are usually pretty slow, so I tend to do inventory. That way I can fully take Thursdays off.”
“Got any plans this Thursday?” I slide my hands into my pockets to keep from reaching out to brush the stray crumbs from her lips. I know if I do, I’ll have her back inside one of those changing rooms in seconds.
“No, why?”
“You want to go for a hike?”
“Seriously? You’d take a day off?”
“I just did the other weekend when I interrupted your little mountain getaway.”
“Well, yeah, but that’s because you thought I was going to die up there.”
I take a step closer to her. “Would you please go on a hike with me? Nothing too crazy since there’s a lot of snow in the mountains already.”
She smiles up at me. “I’d love to.”
We’re standing close, tension building between us as I look down into her eyes. I reach out and take the cup from her hand, placing it behind her as I grab her around the waist and lift her so she’s sitting on the counter.
“Oh!” she gasps as I step between her thighs, my hand sliding up her back to her neck as I pull her toward me. She tastes like sugar and vanilla. My tongue sweeps inside her mouth, her hands tangling in my hair.
I’m completely lost in her. I only realize we’re completely on display through the glass storefront when, in my periphery, I catch a car driving down the road. “Shit, sorry.” I try to step back, but she grabs my shirt, yanking me back to her.
“I need more.” Her voice is wanton, her eyes practically begging me.
“How about I come by tonight?” I know I shouldn’t. I know I should tell her there’s a risk I won’t be around in a few months, but I can’t bring myself to say it.
“Okay.”
“Is that okay?” I tip her chin upward.
“Yes.” Her lips curl into a smile. “I’ll be home anytime after 6.”
“Okay then. I’ll see you tonight.” I lean forward, kissing the tip of her nose before helping her down off the counter.
Offering to hang out with Dolly was probably the stupidest thing I could have done . . . not because I don’t want to, but agreeing to come over to her house is just setting myself up for failure. I told myself to stick to things in public: hiking, dinner, drinks with friends, but then I go and head straight into the lion’s den.
