Finn
“Alright, fellas.” Sheriff Campbell tucks his notepad in his pocket as he strolls over to my dad, Hollis, and I. “As you know, it doesn’t look like any foul play started the fire. We’ve taken notes and pictures of everythin’. You’re good to fix the barn.”
My dad tips his hat at him. “Thanks, Mitch.”
It’s been a few days since the fire, and I know I’m not alone in wanting to get repairs started as quickly as possible so things can get back to normal. Once they were able to put out the fire, they deduced that it was caused by a circuit breaker spark. I’m still not sure why, though, because there wasn’t a storm that day. We irresponsibly had a stack of boxes under the circuit breaker box that, coincidentally enough, I had told Hollis to move several times, yet he never did.
“I’m going to head up the road to check on the horses,” Hollis says once Sheriff Campbell and his guys leave. “Update the Wrights while I’m there.”
“Grandpa!” Tucker’s voice has the three of us turning our heads toward the porch of my dad’s house, where he’s currently standing in only a t-shirt and underwear.
“Grandson,” Dad grunts back.
“Are we goin’ fishin’ soon?”
“You gotta work on your patience, kid.” I chuckle, watching my dad as he drags his gaze my way. He furrows his brows, but there’s a faint smirk tugging on his lips. “The hell you laughin’ at?”
“I’d say he’s been plenty patient,” I murmur, stuffing my hands in my pockets. “We’ve been workin’ all day, and you told him six o’clock, then the sheriff showed up. Cut him some slack.”
“Yeah, Dad,” Hollis chimes in as he digs the keys to his pickup out from his pocket. “Cut him some slack.”
Pointing between the two of us, Dad shakes his head. “Y’all are both gettin’ on my nerves. Get outta here and let me and my grandson enjoy our evenin’.”
Tipping his hat, Hollis chuckles. “That’s my cue. I’ll see y’all later. Have fun fishin’.”
“Why aren’t you goin’?” I ask. My brother and his buddy, Remi, typically always go with my dad.
“Can’t.” He shrugs. “Gotta check on the horses, then Remi and I are takin’ a ride up to Birchfield.”
“The hell is in Birchfield on a Wednesday?”
He waggles his brows suggestively. “Nothin’ that concerns you, Mr. Stick in the Mud.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Fixing my gaze on my dad, I say, “I’m headin’ home. Is he stayin’ with you tonight, or you bringin’ him home?”
“I’ll keep him for the night. Ash can swing by in the mornin’ and grab him once he’s up.”
“Okay. Have fun.” Pointing a finger at my brother, I add, “Don’t get into any trouble tonight. We’ve got a lot of shit to do tomorrow.”
“Yes, father,” he drawls, rolling his eyes, a shit-eating grin on his face.
Hollis may only be a few years younger than me, but you’d never know that by looking at the two of us. I’m sure a lot of people would assume being a single dad is the reason for me being more mature, but the truth is, I’ve always been more responsible. I take after my dad, while Hollis takes after our mom. She was all about having fun and making memories, and he’s the same, but when Hollis and Remi get together, and there’s alcohol involved, there’s no telling what could happen.
After Tucker runs down the steps and gives me a tight hug, I climb into my truck and head back to the house. Ash is there waiting for me, and anticipation unfurls in my stomach. He dropped Tucker off at my dad’s right before the sheriff stopped by, but I wasn’t back at the barn yet so I missed him. I’m looking forward to having a whole night with him to myself.
Since the fire, Ash has been incredibly supportive and helpful. He’s stepped up above and beyond when it comes to Tucker while me, my brother, and my dad figured out a solid plan in regard to the barn and getting it repaired. My stress level has been at an all-time high, and I don’t know what I would’ve done without Ash here to help with Tuck. In the matter of a few days, a ton more has been added to my plate, but because of that, Ash and I haven’t really had any time to talk about everything that’s happened with us.
That’s going to change tonight.
Putting my truck in park in front of the house, I kill the ignition and climb out, jogging up the steps to the front door. As soon as I step inside, the scent of something delicious invadesmy nostrils, causing my stomach to rumble, reminding me I haven’t eaten since this morning.
“Honey, I’m home!” I call out as I kick off my boots and take off my hat, setting it on the entryway bench.
“In the kitchen!”
As I pad through the house, the sound of music playing softly reaches my ears. It’s not coming from the record player, so it must be on his phone. When I walk into the kitchen, my eyes find him immediately, my breath catching as I take in the sight before me. Standing at the island, he’s wearing myDaddio of the Patioapron that Tucker got me for Christmas over myMoore Family Rancht-shirt. It’s huge on him, but seeing him dressed in my things really does it for me. I fold my arms over my chest, resting my shoulder against the wall as I watch him for a moment. My chest tightens as I notice how natural he looks in my kitchen. Rolled-out dough sits on the counter before him as he cuts out little circles, placing them on a baking sheet.
Ash’s lip curls into a grin as he glances up at me. “You going to just stand there and stare at me like a creep?” he teases.
