always been there for her. Not just financially to help her through college, but whenever she needed emotional support. He might have been a little heavy-handed when it came to prospective boyfriends, but when it came to important choices, like her deciding on a film career, he’d stood by her. And now she could use his reassurance. She was filling her mug when he walked in.
“Mornin’, Em,” he grumbled. Although he was showered and dressed for ranch work, his eyes were still heavy from sleep.
“Hi, Nate.” She handed him her mug and poured another for herself.
“Thanks,” he said and took a sip. “Tell me again why I want to be a rancher. These hours are worse than those of a sheriff.”
She knew he wasn’t serious. Her brother had spent the past dozen years working and saving to get the Double H back in the Hunter family. “You love the smell of horse manure in the morning?”
He tugged on her ponytail. “You’ve got a smart mouth.” He took another sip and leaned against the counter. “It’s going to get pretty busy around here in a few days. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
No! But she wanted it more than anything. “Are you kidding? You know I’ve been dreaming about all of this forever.”
“Sometimes reality isn’t as perfect as the dream.”
Her pulse raced in panic. Nate and Shane had been working closely with Jason, from building the set to working out housing for the crew and corralling the animals. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m only saying the next few months are going to be hectic.”
Emily knew she’d be working with a demanding director, Trent Justice, and didn’t doubt she’d be doing rewrites for several scenes. “I can handle it. It’s you and Tori I’m worried about. Are you sure this isn’t too much for you guys? Especially Tori? You’ve shared your home, and now with a baby due in six weeks…”
“Tori is loving it. You know that she loves having people around. But if it gets too crazy, I’ll keep her in the house,” he said and laughed. “Yeah, as if she’d let me boss her around.”
Everyone could see how much Nate and Tori were in love. Her other brother, Shane, had also married recently, and his wife, Mariah was the love of his life. They had sneaked off to Las Vegas and didn’t tell a soul. They were excepting a child in the spring. It was hard not to envy what her brothers and their wives had.
“With all the commotion going on I hope it won’t be a distraction from your work for the gallery?” she said. Nate, who was also a talented wood carver, had a show coming up.
He smiled. “Not if you don’t mind waiting for me to replace the figurine I borrowed from you.”
How sweet. When Nate’s talent had first been recognized he needed several carvings for his initial show. That show’s money had been what helped buy back the ranch. Friends and family donated their carvings to help the cause. She’d never regretted giving him the horse figurine he’d carved for her. “How about you give it to me for a wedding gift?”
Nate cocked an eyebrow. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
She laughed. “I’m telling you that you’ll have plenty of time to replace my carving.”
He studied her for a moment. “Be careful, someone just might walk through that door and you’ll fall like a ton of bricks.”
“Is that how it happened for you?” Tori asked from the doorway. She was wearing her gown and robe.
“Sure was.” Smiling, Nate went to his wife. “I thought you were going to sleep in?”
“I was until junior decided to play a game of kick ball. I’ll nap later.” She looked at her sister-in-law.
“How did you sleep in your old room?”
This was the house Emily had grown up in until their father died. When they couldn’t pay the mortgage, the bank repossessed the property. “Great, but I can’t impose on you guys anymore. You’ve done so much already.”
Tori glanced from her husband to Emily. “I grew up in a big lonely house so I love having people around. You’ll never be intruding.” She wrapped her arm around her husband’s waist. “We want the whole family to feel like this is their home, too.”
Emily swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced at her brother. “I’m sure glad you were wise enough to marry her.”
“So am I.”
Emily watched as the two exchanged a look that showed the depth of their love. Lately, when both her brothers were with their wives, she’d felt like the fifth wheel, an intruder. But someday she hoped she’d find their happily-ever-after kind of love with a special guy.
There had been someone in college, but he wasn’t willing to allow her time for her career. She’d spent too many years in school not to get a chance to prove herself. She preferred to think that the real reason she hadn’t settled down was that she hadn’t found the man of her dreams yet.
Suddenly the picture of a big, strong cowboy who’d been so tender with his niece popped into her mind. Not many men would single-handedly take on the responsibility of a child. But she doubted Reece McKellen was like most men.
There was a soft knock on the door. She watched as Nate went to answer it and found the man who’d plagued her thoughts most of the night standing there along with his niece. And he looked pretty dreamy in faded jeans and a black T-shirt.
“I know it’s early, but I saw the light on.”
“Not a problem. Come in,” Nate said.
The child followed him inside. She was dressed in a pair of jean shorts and a blue cotton top with ruffles around the neck and sleeves. Her hair was pulled back in a slightly crooked ponytail. The little girl beamed when she saw her. Emily held out her hand and Sophie came to her.
“Good morning, Sophie. Are you hungry?”
The child nodded.
Nate handed Reece a cup of coffee. “Why don’t you stay for breakfast,” he said. “There’s plenty.”
“Thanks, but we were going to eat in town.”
Reece watched as Emily escorted his niece to the table. He stiffened. He knew the invitation was a friendly gesture, but he needed to stay away from the warm family scene. To keep this strictly business. He also needed to stay clear of the attractive leggy brunette with the smile that got him stirred up. She had him aching, and not only with physical need. But the truth was he had all the commitment he could handle right now with Sophie.
Reece forced himself to make eye contact with Emily. “I stopped by to see if you talked to your mother?”
“Oh, right,” she said. “Nate, do you think Mom would consider renting Reece the garage apartment?”
Her brother blinked. “I don’t see why not, it’s been empty since Shane and Mariah moved out.” He looked back at Reece. “It’s only a one-bedroom, but
