first one who’s come along?”
“Yes, but we still don’t know if she’ll go out with me.”
“What if she does?”
“Then I’ll have to go truck shopping pretty soon.”
“Wait, wait, wait.” Lexi waved her hands in the air. “You two are speaking in tongues. Could you both use your native language, which also happens to be mine? What the hell are you talking about?”
Cade reached over and covered her hand with his. “I called it his courtin’ truck because Junior is looking for a wife.”
Lexi swiveled in her seat to look at Austin. “You are?”
He hadn’t planned to lay out his plan this soon but he also couldn’t beat around the bush with Lexi. She was like a big sister to him. “Yes, ma’am.”
“See?” Cade gestured to him. “I knew he had another reason for coming back to Wyoming besides our wedding.”
“Austin.” Lexi put her hand on his arm. “Please tell me you didn’t get this idea because of our wedding invitation. There’s such a thing as wedding fever. When I was twenty-two I tried to get Cade to propose because of peer pressure. You probably don’t remember that.”
“Oh, I remember, all right. That’s when he took off for Colorado.” At seventeen, Austin had been devastated when his idol had driven away from Thunder Mountain Ranch. Lexi hadn’t been the only one with a broken heart. “It wasn’t just the invitation, although that made me realize all I was missing and I didn’t want to miss this. But I’ve been thinking about moving back and settling down for quite a while now.”
“You’re only twenty-six. You have lots of time.”
“I know. The thing is, I’m sick of getting involved with someone when it’ll never go anywhere. Every woman I dated in New Zealand told me flat out she wasn’t relocating. That made perfect sense. Their families were there and it’s a beautiful country.”
“All right.” Lexi seemed relieved. “Then ultimately you want to get married, but you don’t have a timetable or anything.” She smiled. “It’s not like you’ll ask Drew out now and propose next week.”
“I certainly wouldn’t plan on it.”
“Good, because—”
“But what if she’s perfect? What if we’re perfect for each other? Life’s short. We don’t know what’s going to happen.” He’d learned that early. Both his parents had died in their thirties. “I don’t believe in putting things off if taking action is the right decision.”
Cade glanced up at the ceiling.
Austin knew he didn’t fully agree, but Drew had liked that he was focused. Didn’t mean she’d go out with him but he thought she would. He didn’t get many refusals when he asked a lady out.
He glanced at the phone in Lexi’s free hand. “So can I have the number?”
She looked at him for a moment longer. “Yes. Just—”
“Just what?”
“Nothing.” She squeezed his arm and moved her hand away. “Ready?”
He touched the screen to refresh it. “Yes, ma’am.” He entered Drew’s number. “Do you think she’s had time to get home?”
“Probably not.”
“Then I’ll wait.” He put down his phone and picked up his beer. “It sounded like you were both happy with how the filming went.”
“I think it went great,” Lexi said. “I’ll know for sure once we see the edited version, but I meant what I said about her work. She’s phenomenal.”
“Good to know. Now that I understand how to run a trail ride company, I’ve been thinking about starting one. A good video on a website would be a big help.”
Cade leaned forward. “Gonna go into business for yourself?”
“I’d like to. I’ll have to begin small, work with one of the local stables, maybe get a business loan, but I think that’s all doable.”
“Absolutely,” Lexi said. “I’m sure Rosie and Herb would let you stay here for a while, which would save money on rent.”
Austin had been thinking the same thing until meeting Drew. “They probably would and I’ve considered it, but I’d rather get an apartment in town.”
Cade gave him a knowing look. “That doesn’t surprise me. I—” He paused as the front door opened.
“Anybody home?”
“Hey, Zeke!” Cade pushed back his chair. “We’re in the kitchen having a beer. Come on back and I’ll get you one.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
Austin left his chair to greet his foster brother, one he’d liked okay but had never felt close to when they’d all lived at Thunder Mountain. Zeke Rafferty had kept to himself and all the guys had figured it was because his dad had committed suicide. But Rosie said that Zeke had come out of his shell ever since discovering he was about to be a father.
It seemed that Rosie was right, because the rugged cowboy who’d always looked slightly ticked off came in all smiles. “Hey, Austin!” His handshake was firm and enthusiastic. “I swear you’re a lot taller than I remember.”
“Not much taller, but I filled out a little.”
“I’d say so. How was New Zealand?” He took the beer Cade handed him. “Thanks, bro.”
“I loved New Zealand but I got homesick.”
Zeke nodded. “I can understand that. New Zealand’s a long way from Wyoming. Listen, I came over hoping you’d be around. As you’ve probably heard, I’ve been the caretaker at Matt’s ranch for the past few weeks.”
“I did hear that.” Their foster brother Matt Forrest was starring in his first major film and he’d used the sudden influx of money to buy a ranch adjoining Thunder Mountain. “Matt’s premiere was another reason to come back. I want to go to LA with everybody next month.”
“Yeah, with all the people going, we might end up renting a couple of vans instead of flying. Anyway, my situation is changing and I’m looking for someone to take over for me at Matt’s. I thought you might be interested.”
“That could be a good deal for you, Junior,” Cade said. “Free room and board.”
Austin thought about it for less than two seconds. Good deal or not, it would mean he’d agreed to take care of someone else’s place instead of moving toward buying his own. He might have to start with a tiny apartment, but it would be his. Paying his rent on time would establish his creditworthiness when he applied for a home loan.
He gazed at Zeke. “Much as I’d like to help, staying at Matt’s doesn’t fit in
