I guided my mother out of her sewing room and headed to the front door. “I can’t wait to meet this family. I’ve heard so much about them.”
“It’s two families, remember, Mom.”
Giving me a friendly swat on the arm, my mother said, “I know it’s two families. I may be getting older, Ryder, but I’m not that old.”
With a toss of my head back, I shook my head. “No ma’am, you are far from it.”
As we stepped outside, the first thing I saw was Nate helping Ava with her bag.
That bastard. The way he was smiling at her boiled my blood. Neither one of us brought up Ava after we left Layton’s house two weeks ago.
“Welcome! Oh, welcome to the ranch,” my mother called out as she headed down the stairs. “There is a baby! Oh, how exciting!”
I couldn’t help but smile as my mother took Nickolas out of Liza’s arms.
“How did he do on the plane?”
Liza grinned from ear to ear as I walked down the stairs and headed to the back of the second car.
“He did amazing. The perfect baby!” Liza gushed.
“Come, darling, let’s you and I make our way into the living room while they get the luggage all situated.”
Liza smiled as she glanced over her shoulder toward Ava, who stood there with a stunned expression.
“Ryder, how are you doing?” Reed asked as he reached his hand out for mine.
“I’m doing well, Mr. Moore. I take it your trip up here was good?”
Reed slapped me on the side of my arm and gave me a smile. “Call me Reed. Yes, the trip was great.” Taking a look around, Reed shook his head. “Good Lord, this place is breathtaking. I mean to tell you I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as this place.”
With a smile, I took in the surroundings. “It is beautiful.”
“Why in the world did you want to leave this place?” Walker asked as he walked up next to us and gazed out to the mountains.
“It’s only temporary. I’m actually planning on moving back and slowly starting to take over the ranch.”
Reed turned and looked at me. “Really? You’re not making Texas your home?”
Pursing my lips, I shook my head. “Nah. I love Texas, don’t get me wrong, but my heart belongs here in Montana.”
I glanced over to see Ava standing there staring at me with a stunned look on her face. She quickly snapped out of it when Nate told Courtney, her mother, to follow him.
Layton walked up with his wife, Whitley. “I think I need a horse and some fresh air,” Layton said with a whistle.
I let out a chuckle and motioned for them to follow me. “Let’s show y’all to your rooms.”
Jase walked next to me as he looked up at the giant house and said, “Damn … the cattle business must be good up here.”
“Jase Morris,” Whitley said from behind me as I laughed.
“It’s not bad, but my father earned most of his money in real estate.”
Jase raised an eyebrow. “Really? I can’t wait to meet him.”
As we headed into the house, Nate, Janet, MaryLou, and myself all showed the Moore and Morris families to their respective rooms.
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