Rhett’s brows lift. “Four hundred percent?”
“If I send you the link, would you watch a few videos? This rancher has tons of resources on regenerative agriculture. The best part is the return on investment for sheep is nine months versus, what, thirty-three for cattle?”
“I like that turnaround time.” He whistles. “Look at my wife, the expert. And yes, I’ll watch a few YouTube videos.”
A huge smile tilts my lips. And Cash said Rhett wouldn’t listen to me. “I just want us to shore ourselves up financially so we can weather the storm if the prices on cattle drop again.”
Lifting my hand to his lips, he kisses me. “Sounds good. Thanks for researching that, baby.”
I’m grinning the rest of the drive into town.
The Mixer is being held at the grassy square in front of the courthouse, which has a gazebo, benches, and picnic tables. Tonight, it’s lit up with twinkle lights that stretch across the oak trees that surround the little park. There’s a makeshift dance floor and stage where a country band is playing. Local vendors line the perimeter.
In a few weeks, we’ll have a carnival for Halloween and then all of the Christmas festivities. Maybe living in Wild Heart isn’t so bad. As I glance around at all of the friendly, familiar faces, a warm feeling settles over me.
Baylee runs up and gives me a hug. “Hello, my spicy burrito. I wanted to introduce you to someone.” I give Rhett a look because I’ve been dying to meet Baylee’s new man. She waves forward a handsome guy in a cowboy hat. “This is Sean.”
We chitchat a few minutes, and I covertly snap a photo of them smiling at each other and send it to the Walker brothers’ chat.
Check out Baylee’s new man. Don’t they make a cute couple?
Rhett smirks after he reads it. “I know what you’re doing.”
“What’s that?” I play dumb.
Maverick immediately responds.
Who the fuck is that?
My husband chuckles when he reads the message. “Houston, we have liftoff.”
As I watch Sean twirl Baylee around the dance floor, I whisper, “Mav can shit or get off the pot. I’m just moving things along.”
Beau and Jace join us, and Beau waves his phone at me. “Nice play.”
I laugh. “I do what I can.”
Rhett grabs my hand. “Okay, my little shit-stirrer, we gonna dance or what?”
“I’m all yours.”
He swoops me into his arms and twirls me around the dance floor to an old George Straight song. Between the bittersweet notes of the song and the scent of Rhett’s heavenly cologne, I’m totally swooning. “I had no idea you could two-step this well.”
“I have a few hidden talents.”
Glancing around, I realize how many people are watching us. “People are staring. Do you think it’s because of Amber?”
He shrugs. “They’re just jealous I’m here with the prettiest girl in town.”
For a grumpy guy, he can be such a sweet talker. “Is she still pissed at you?”
“Don’t care if she is.”
Rhett’s been granted temporary sole custody, but to make it permanent, the boys have to do a session with a family psychiatrist, who will submit his findings to the court. Since then, he’s only communicated with his ex via a parenting app, which he prefers.
Since that showdown with Amber, we’ve been learning how mean and downright abusive she was to the kids. It’s heartbreaking. At the end of the day, I guess it was worth being Amber’s punching bag if it means she won’t be allowed to emotionally abuse the children anymore.
Over my shoulder, I spot a familiar face. “Harlan’s here. Over by the stage.” I steel myself for the bomb to drop. Did Marcus tell his uncle we dated or was he too embarrassed to admit I left him and got hitched to someone else a week later?
