by Jaclyn Hardy
“Ah. I had to miss that yesterday. I wasn’t feeling well.” Mandy sighed. “I need to get back to work. I hope to see you again, sometime.”
Chloe waved and left the store and climbed into the car. “She’s super sweet. You should have come in.”
Austin pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward the highway. “I was going to, but Dad called. He said Grandma was about to go down for a nap so if we wanted to see them before we fly out, now was the time to do it.”
“Right.” Chloe pushed down the spike of fear. She’d already met them, they liked her. It was just a few minutes, and then they could be on their way.
“Okay, so we met up in France while I was there on a business trip, fell in love, got married and have had a long-distance relationship until now.” Austin went to take her hand, but pulled away.
Chloe frowned. “I know that’s what we came up with, but what accounting firm actually takes business trips to France?”
“The . . . kind of accounting firm that . . . takes on a famous author as a client?” Austin smiled over at her
“Fair enough.” Chloe opened the window to feel the breeze as they drove.
Austin pushed a button to open the sunroof. “Better?”
“Much.” Chloe had to admit that she would be sad when they turned this car in at the airport.
They got to the hotel where Austin’s dad was staying fifteen minutes later. Chloe brushed through her hair with her fingers to try to get some of the knots out.
“You look beautiful.” Austin took her hand as they walked to the elevator. He pushed the button to the top floor and stepped out into a hallway with only a few door. Of course his dad would have a suite for just the two of them.
Chloe checked her hair one more time and waited for someone to open the door. Austin put an arm around her waist and forced a smile when his dad answered the door.
“You’re just in time. She’s ready to fall asleep at any moment.” He moved out of the way so they could walk inside.
Chloe stood nervously as Austin’s grandma studied both of them for several minutes. Any longer and they were going to miss their flight.
“What are your plans after this? Are you going back to France?” Mrs. Quinn asked.
“Yes, we have a few things to settle there.” Chloe made sure to keep her eyes on his grandma instead of looking at Austin for answers. They’d gone over where they met, how they got married, and so on, but nothing about the future.
Mrs. Quinn nodded. “Very good. You treat my grandson right. He took good care of his grandpa, and I expect him to take care of you as well.”
Austin shifted. “I will, Grandma.”
Chloe was surprised to hear the emotion in his voice. But then he’d said he was the only one to visit his grandpa at the hospital. Which made her wonder why his dad had never gone. “I have no doubt he’ll take care of me. And I’ll talk care of him too.”
“I know you will. Now, go to that suitcase there.” She gestured to an old leather suitcase that had seen better days. “The paperwork we need is in there.”
Austin’s dad pulled it out and set it on the table. “Both of you need to sign and date it. Mom will send it in to her lawyer, and you should have the money in a few days. That’ll give you time to get settled.”
Chloe’s heart dropped. They didn’t have a few days. Her flight continued on to Paris tomorrow. If they found out that she was leaving him behind, this could really mess things up. She signed first, making sure to use Quinn instead of Parker, then dated it. Austin took his turn and handed the pen to his grandma.
She gave them another stern looking before signing with a flourish. “Use it wisely.”
“I will, Grandma. Thank you.” He kissed her cheek and then hugged his dad. “We’d love to stay and talk for a while, but we’d miss our flight. I’ll see you when you get back home.”
Mrs. Quinn nodded. “I hope so.”
Chloe left the hotel room and breathed a sigh of relief. That part was done. Now she could go back home and forget this ever happened.
Except that she knew she wouldn’t.
Austin opened the car door for Chloe and then climbed in on the other side. He pulled out of the parking lot and finally spoke. “Did that feel a little like you’d been caught with your hand in the cookie jar? Or was that just me?”
“Not just you. But you did fulfill her request. You’re married, and will remain that way until we figure out what happens next. It just didn’t quite begin the way you’d usually start a marriage.” Chloe leaned her head against the seat. “And I think I’ll be convincing myself of that until the day your grandma’s stare leaves my brain.”
Austin chuckled. “Yeah, she’s good at that. Would you like the ring back?”
“Nope. It’s yours. Keep it. I’m sure all of your partners and your accounting firm will just love it.” She laughed.
Austin pulled onto the freeway. “I think I’m going to sell the firm.”
“You’re sure?” Chloe asked.
“One of my partners has been wanting to buy it out for a while now, but I held onto it since it’s Grandpa’s. But it’s good enough money, I could put a good-sized down payment on land if I decide that’s what I want to do.” Austin looked over at her. “What do you think?”
Chloe raised an eyebrow. “You really want to know?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Do it.” Chloe took his hand and ran her thumb along his ring. “But don’t buy the land yet. Because if we can’t figure out that we need to run when the water turns on, we’re—you’re—not ready to start a ranch on your own.”
“That was quite an eye-opener for sure.” Austin laughed. “But I think you’re right. Which is why I talked to Carl about working for him for a while. I’ll be a lowly ranch hand until I get the gist of what’s going on. He’s worked with enough city boys to know how to train me.”
Chloe wanted to hug him. “I think that’s the most brilliant idea you’ve come up with yet.”
“Why, thank you.”
Austin waved out of the airport window, even though he knew Chloe wouldn’t be able to see him.
He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked down to his gate to catch the last leg of his trip. No need to have Charlie come all the way here again.
The flight was short, but it gave Austin some time to think. He left the plane and went to baggage claim to collect his things. People were everywhere, and Austin couldn’t help but compare it to the wide-open space he had back in Idaho. The city streets were even more packed while he stood there waiting for Charlie to pick him up. His butler was one person he had missed from here.
The limo pulled up and Charlie got out, grinning. “Austin, my boy. You seem different. Happier. It’s good to see you.”
“Thanks, Charlie. It was a great trip. Saw my family, saw Lacey, got married . . .”
Charlie blinked. “What was that last one?”
“Oh, I got married. You remember Mike and Chloe, right? They were at our house all the time? I ran into Chloe, we got married, and now she’s heading back home to France.”
“I believe you left many details out that I’m going to need to digest on our way back home.” Charlie opened the door for Austin and then climbed in the front. The window came down shortly after and Charlie looked back at him. Now, talk.”
Austin filled him in on everything that had happened, not leaving anything out. After all, Charlie had done more to raise him than either of his parents. “But none of it matters. She’s gone, I’m back here, and everything will go back to normal. I just . . . have a wife I’ll never see.”
“Hmm.” Charlie turned left and headed for the freeway to get back home. “So what are you planning to do?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I do. Kind of. Would you think I was crazy if I said I wanted to move to Idaho to buy a ranch?”
Charlie glanced in the rearview mirror. “You’ve mentioned for years that you wanted a ranch. The Idaho part is a little o
ut there for me, but if that’s what you want to do, I say go for it.”
“Would you go with me?” Austin leaned up against the window.
“No. The ranch is no place for me.”
“Well, then—”
“Oh, no you don’t. You will not give up your dream for me. I’ve been looking at retiring for a while now, and today is as good a day as any. I’ve done my job. I’ve raised all of the Quinns that I’m meant to raise.”
Austin wasn’t sure what to say to that. Charlie had been their butler for as long as he could remember. Not having him around was like cutting the last of the ties to Austin’s home here. And it was strange, but Austin was totally okay with that. He’d miss Charlie of course, but it was like a chapter had ended and a new one was ready to be written.
As they pulled into the neighborhood, the comfortable feeling of being home was gone. Even though he avoided his neighbors like the plague, this was still familiar to him. But now all the houses were just . . . houses.
Charlie pulled up to the mansion and opened the door for Austin, then bowed. “You can expect my retirement letter by the end of the day.”
“Where will you go?”
“I’m thinking St. Kitts. I hear the beaches there are fantastic, and I could use a little sand.” Charlie walked with a spring to his step as he carried Austin’s bags into the house.
Austin shook his head. Apparently he wasn’t the only one who felt the change in the air. Whistling came from the kitchen, something Austin hadn’t heard for a while. He took the last couple of bags up to his room and set them down.
He checked the time. Chloe still had several hours before she’d land, so he couldn’t talk it over with her. Mom and Dad would think he was insane, Grandma was already sure he was, which left Charlie. Who had already told him what he thought.
Austin twisted the ring on his finger, thinking. He knew exactly what Chloe would say. She was the spontaneous one. It was time to follow her ways. He pulled out his laptop and went straight to his office. Charlie would call him when dinner was done, but until then he had a lot of work to do.
His first email was to the Poultons to see if there was space for him on the ranch. Someone had to teach him the ropes before he could do it on his own. If there were no jobs available there, Austin would try one of the other ranches.
The next email was to the company who had made an offer to buy the company. While their offer was fair, Austin and to make sure all of his partners got the money they’d need to support their families. He bid high, hoping for some wiggle room to negotiate.
Which, of course, meant that the next few emails had to go out to his partners. They most likely wouldn’t be too surprised. They knew about the offer. But still.
Austin stood to leave the room, pausing at the door. The office was filled with knickknacks that had been around since his parents had lived here. Most of the stuff he didn’t want to take with him. He’d let them fight it out and then sell or store the rest. There wasn’t much space in the bunkhouse where he’d hopefully be staying for the next little while. He smiled and turned off the light to the office, shutting the door behind him.
Austin shut the last of the moving trucks and watched his belongings fade into the distance. A ‘FOR SALE’ sign sat in the front yard with a large ‘Sold’ written across. The new family would move in the next day.
Charlie met him at the driveway wearing shorts and a T-shirt—a vast difference from the uniforms he’d worn for years. “Ready for our last ride together?”
“Yep. Thanks again for helping out with everything before taking off.”
“My pleasure. It’s a shame your parents weren’t able to come by.”
Austin sighed. “I’d kept all of their décor around for years, thinking they’d be thrilled to get it one day. I guess not.”
Charlie opened the door to the taxi for Austin. “Some people say goodbye in different ways. I guess they already said theirs years ago.”
“Guess so.” Austin checked to make sure his tickets were ready to go and that he had his ID close by. He’d check a couple of bags and then the rest of his things would be stored until he needed them. Whenever that was.
He sent a quick text to Chloe letting her know he was on his way to the airport and got a reply soon after.
Thrilled to death you’re doing what you wanted to do. My show will be starting soon. Wish me luck!
Austin smiled. He still couldn’t believe she was back to doing fashion shows. But having writers block meant that she had to make money somehow.
Good luck! Knock ’em dead!
Chloe sent a kiss emoji. Thanks! Have a safe flight. Tell everyone I said hi.
Will do.
“Everything okay, Austin?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah. I just miss Chloe.”
“Ah.”
Once they got to the airport, Charlie and Austin walked inside together and went through baggage claim and then security. Charlie would leave for St. Kitts about an hour before Austin’s flight, so Austin stopped at his gate.
“Thanks for everything.” Austin pulled Charlie into a hug. You treated my family well. Now go enjoy the beach and enjoy the freedom.”
“I intend to.” Charlie chuckled. “Good luck, Austin. And you know, it’s never too late to fight for her. Don’t let her go.”
Austin smiled. “I don’t plan to, but first, I have to have everything in place before I can bring her home.”
Charlie patted him on the shoulder. “Smart boy.”
Austin threw another bale of hay onto the trailer and stretched his back and shoulders. He’d thought he was in shape after running and doing the rest of his routine, but it was nothing compared to the work they’d put him through since he got here. Now with the harvest in full swing, Austin had no time to think about how homesick he was or what Chloe might be doing.
The lunch bell rang and several of the ranch hands went running. Austin had a few more bales to finish before he could go in. Angela would hold him some food if he didn’t make it in time. She’d done it plenty before this.
Carl leaned against the trailer. “It’s lunchtime.”
“I know. I’m almost done.” Austin hefted the next one and threw it onto the pile.
“You’re bleeding.” Carl nodded at Austin’s arm.
Austin looked down to find a trail of blood that had dried. “Oh, that must have been from when the bale slipped.”
“Go get it cleaned up so it doesn’t get infected. But first.” Carl pulled out a key and held it out.
“What’s this?” It looked like a house key, but it didn’t match the one to the bunkhouse.
Carl pulled out his phone and handed it to Austin. “The Johnson’s are selling their ranch. The youngest just left home, and Phil decided he couldn’t do it without his boys. I got the key so you could go look at it if you want.”
Austin closed his fist around the key. “You think I’m ready?”
“I think you not having your own place has been giving you the excuse not to send for Chloe for too long. Go clean up and eat and I’ll take you there.”
Austin nodded and put the key in his pocket so he could finish the last two bales. Most of the men had already eaten and passed him as they went back out to work.
“Hey, Austin. I ate your sandwich. I hope you don’t mind.” Thomas grinned.
Austin laughed. “It’s okay. I’ll return the favor tomorrow.”
“Sure you will.” Thomas slugged his shoulder and jogged to catch up with his friends.
The bunkhouse was empty when Austin walked inside. He took a quick shower so he wouldn’t cover the house with hay and pulled a bandage from the medicine cabinet. His polo shirts and button up dress shirts had been replaced by flannel, but he’d learned quickly that they survived the ranch a lot better than his other clothing.
He walked into the almost empty dining room and filled his plate with a couple of sandwiches and some chips. Everything up until his shower had become routine,
and he had to admit, he loved it. Working with his hands was so much more rewarding to him than crunching numbers like he’d done his whole life.
“Ready?” Carl stood in the doorway. “I need to grab a couple of parts, so I need to leave in the next few minutes in order to have time to fix the tractor.”
“Oh, sure.” Austin grabbed his plate and went out to climb in the truck. “So where is this land?”
Carl pointed toward the south. “It’s about a mile outside of town. Good amount of land and it’s already been developed, so that saves you a lot of time and energy.”
“I like that idea.” Austin pulled out his phone to text Chloe, but hesitated. He needed to see the house first. Besides, it was probably midnight there by now. Money wasn’t an object, so either he liked it and grabbed it, or he didn’t.
“Text her.” Carl glanced down at the phone. “Angela is worried you’ve waited too long, and while I don’t like getting into other people’s business, I have to agree with her.”
Austin shook his head and put his phone away. “I want to see it first.”
“Fair enough.” Carl chuckled and turned down a different road to get into town.
He pulled up in front of a two-story house with wood paneling on the outside. Flowers lined the sidewalk up to the house, with bushes and more flowers in flower beds along with porch. So far so good. Austin climbed out and turned in a circle. “Which fields go with the house?”
“All of them.” Carl pointed to each of them. “Between all of these you have about three hundred and fifty acres. It would be more farming than ranching, but I suppose you could turn one of these fields into pastures.”
“Maybe.” Austin pulled the key out of his pocket and went up the walk. Chloe would go crazy over the bright colors of the flowers. There were even a few butterfly bushes that she’d love. The door opened into an entryway paved with stone, and the ceilings were wood with beams going across. The large living room opened into a kitchen with granite countertops and a huge sink. There were several bedrooms, and a mudroom in the back.