welcome. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with this cutie.” Emma’s mouth softened as her gaze rested on Hudson.
God had worked today out, that was for sure. Gage would give Him all of the credit for the woman in the back seat currently making everything better for every passenger in the car.
When they arrived at his house, vehicles belonging to Luc and his twin sister, Mackenzie, were parked out front beside Emma’s car. Gage twisted, meeting Emma’s not-so-innocent look. “Any chance you had something to do with this?”
“What? Me? Never.” The suppressed chuckle that followed contradicted her words. She couldn’t lie to save her life. A good quality in Gage’s book.
The front door of the house opened and the group exited as he parked and cut the Jeep’s engine—so much for giving Luc a key in case of emergency.
Luc stayed to help unload the car while his wife, Cate, their four-year-old daughter Ruby, Emma and Mackenzie focused on getting the car seat with a still-sleeping Hudson inside. Gage doubted it took four females to transport the boy, but he didn’t mind the reprieve.
In true Colorado nature, the weather had changed yesterday, swinging from freezing to a pleasant fifty degrees. With the heat from the sun, the day felt balmy.
“So,” Luc slapped him on the back, “how you holding up?”
Gage opened the back hatch, amazed everything didn’t tumble out. “Okay. I guess. Think I’m in shock. I only found out about being named Hudson’s guardian a week ago. Still haven’t wrapped my mind around it.”
“Understandable.” Luc snagged a saucer that had various stations of activity around the top. “I can’t say I totally get what you’re feeling, but then again...”
True. Luc hadn’t found out Ruby existed until last summer. So his friend got the surprise part in all of this. And probably the feeling-inept portion, too.
Gage scooped up a box labeled Toys. “How am I supposed to do this?”
“Not sure. Wish I had answers for you.”
“Emma seems to think if I close my eyes and make a wish, unicorns and rainbows will appear and all will be well.”
Luc laughed. “She’s probably expecting this to turn out like one of those romantic books or movies she’s hooked on. We have cable just so she can stream the Hallmark Channel.”
“I would make a good leading man.”
A snort from Luc followed his quip.
The next few minutes unloading with Luc felt like a sliver of normal. The smell of the ranch—a mixture of hay and dirt since the cattle were over the hill—brought Gage’s shoulders down about ten notches.
When he’d quit the law firm and moved out here with Nicole hoping to save their marriage, he hadn’t expected to fall for ranching. But it suited him. He liked the physical labor. Being outdoors. Managing staff and cattle. The business side of things.
It was a surprisingly good fit. Not that he didn’t enjoy practicing law. He still helped people out when the opportunity arose and picked up some contract work from his old firm when it fit his schedule. But the switch in lifestyle had been a godsend at a time when he’d needed it, and now he couldn’t imagine going back to that fast-paced, cutthroat world.
Once they grabbed the last load, including a diaper bag that was thankfully a manly black backpack, the two of them tromped inside.
The kitchen had been taken over by women, a sight that had never happened in this house. In the short time Nicole had actually lived here before taking off, she’d only prepared a handful of meals. Cooking hadn’t really been her thing. Having an affair a second time had been more up her alley.
The kitchen opened to the living room, a butcher-block island separating the spaces. It was covered with lunch items—a tray of meat and cheese and other sandwich toppings. Hudson had awakened and was now sitting in the high chair that someone had assembled. Ruby stood in front of him, entertaining. She wore a blue dress and red cowboy boots, her hair secured in two buns. Luc’s daughter definitely had the inside demeanor to match her outside cuteness.
“We’re going to be friends, okay? I thought we were going to be cousins, but Mommy said we weren’t.” Ruby leaned toward Hudson, voice dropping to a whisper that could be heard for miles. “But we can pretend.”
Hudson chortled in response, filled with nothing less than adoration for the delightful girl in front of him.
“And we’re going to ride horses, and we’re going to get lots of treats from Mr. Joe.” Apparently Joe—the Wilder Ranch head chef who was known for whipping up mouthwatering desserts—had gained a super fan in Ruby. The girl continued her initiation for the baby, listing all of the fun things she planned for them to do.
When Gage had attempted to picture this day, he hadn’t imagined that it would turn out like this. These people filling the space. Hudson happy and not in tears at being torn first from his dad and then his nanny.
At least today—so far—had gone okay. If only Gage could confidently say the same thing about tomorrow.
* * *
Emma held Hudson with his head tucked against her shoulder as she paced the living room in Gage’s house. The baby didn’t like to be cradled sideways. She’d tried that already and had been informed by squirming and tears that Hudson did not appreciate the position. So upright it was.
It had been a long day. They’d left to get Hudson at eight this morning, and now it was thirteen hours later. The full house from earlier had dispersed, leaving only her, Gage and the baby. The man reminded Emma of a caged animal tonight. Trapped. Unable to sit still. He kept popping up to do things. He’d been out to the barn twice already even though his ranch hands knew what he was up against and had things covered.
Gage might not know what to do with himself, but he was going to have to figure that out—and quickly—because Emma was about to go home for the night. And the man who hadn’t so much as held Hudson all day was about to be on his own.
No time like the present. She crossed to the kitchen where Gage was unloading the dishwasher. She hated to interrupt his task—because how attractive was a guy cleaning?—but she forced herself to. “Here you go.” She deposited a drowsy Hudson in his arms despite his startled grunt of protest. “He should be ready to sleep. I think the late nap this afternoon messed up his schedule, but I’ve got him settled down.”
Gage looked at the baby, then her, panic evident. “Maybe you should put him to bed before you go? He’s already so comfortable with you.”
Nice try, Counselor.
“I think it’s better if you do it.”
“Right now? But what do I...do?”
“Hold him.” She pressed down on a grin. “I have to use the restroom. Be right back.” She took her time inside the hallway bathroom, lollygagging, giving Gage time to adjust. When she returned, Hudson had started to fuss a bit. A drowsy, agitated complaint here and there.
Her fingers itched to take him
