construction and remodeling that needs to be done on the Bull House.”
Bear gritted his teeth, his jaw suddenly tight. “We’re not using those things here.”
“We can store them here without using them,” Ranger said. “Oakley is going to sell her house, because it’s ridiculous to keep a mansion in town when we live up here.”
“Bishop has that measuring app,” Cactus said. “I see why we don’t want to transition from horses to ATVs, Bear. I do. But there’s no reason not to use the advancements the Good Lord has provided for us.”
“Bishop has a measuring app?” Bear asked.
“Oh, boy,” Ward said. “And we have electricity in the houses too, Bear.” He leaned forward, his frustration plain on his face. “I don’t want to use ATVs here either. I voted against it, and I would again. But I agree with Ranger—he can store them here. He and Oakley enjoy taking them up on the trails. Heck, I think I would too. There’s no reason we can’t use them for recreation while still holding true to our roots of using dogs and horses for our herds.”
Cactus was nodding, and Bear could see their reasoning.
“Ace and I would like to talk about using apps and programs for our agriculture,” Ward said, clearing his throat. “Add that to the list, Ranger. Whole family discussion.”
“What kind of apps?” Bear asked.
“They have things to help us rotate fields,” Ward said. “To maintain soil pH. To harvest at the most optimal time.”
“You have systems for that.”
“Yes,” Ward said. “But computers and apps think faster than a man can.”
Bear couldn’t argue with that, especially as Ranger had two computers sitting in front of him and developed apps in his spare time. “Okay,” he said, the word grinding through his throat. Bishop had spoken more true than Bear had thought—things were changing around Shiloh Ridge.
I trust you beyond measure to take Shiloh Ridge into the future and pass it along to your son or daughter.
He couldn’t take Shiloh Ridge into the future by stifling himself—or anyone else—in the past. “I just want the original culture at Shiloh Ridge—I want what Daddy and Uncle Bull built—to be maintained.”
“We can do that,” Ranger said. “With careful and thoughtful and progressive discussion, among all of us.” He looked around at the others. “Maybe we should be scheduling a quarterly family meeting, with everyone.”
“I can second that,” Cactus said.
“Third,” Ward said, and Ranger looked at Bear.
He nodded, and Ranger wrote it down. He looked up and smiled around at everyone. “That’s it, men. Good talks today. Real good.”
Bear stayed in his seat as the others left, and when it was just him and Ranger, they finally looked at one another. “Who are you thinking for foremen?”
“Ward,” Ranger said. “He wants it; I can see it in his face. He’ll keep Bull House, because it’s our father’s. Ace will need somewhere else to live. Cactus too. He can’t raise a family in that Edge Cabin.”
“He won’t leave that cabin,” Bear said. “His son is buried there.”
“Then it’ll need a complete remodel and reconstruction,” Ranger said. “Enlargement, expansion.”
“We’ll all sign off on that.” Bear placed his palms flat against the table and stood, his all-night mowing session catching up to him. “I’ll consult with Bishop on places we have now that need work—Bull House, Edge Cabin, the house down on that adjacent piece we own. We’ll go through everyone and start working now to make sure everyone has the accommodations they need for a family.”
“It’s time,” Ranger said, and Bear could only agree. He hugged his cousin, which took Ranger by surprise.
“I didn’t mean to take over with Two Cents,” he said. “I just know sometimes you can overthink things and not actually take the first step forward.”
“I can,” Ranger conceded, stepping back. “It’s okay. We’ll talk later. You look about five seconds away from passing out.” He smiled at Bear. “Go to bed. Oh, and congratulations on your baby.”
Bear’s grin once again exploded onto his face. “Thanks.”
Ranger turned away, but not before Bear distinctly caught a river of pain moving through his eyes. He opened his mouth to ask Ranger what was wrong, but a voice inside his head said, Give it time. Now’s not the time to ask.
He walked toward the door, his thoughts racing now. What did he need to give more time to? Asking Ranger…what, exactly?
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Oh, no,” Penny Walker said with a moan.
Gideon looked up from his oatmeal, his eyebrows up. “What is it?” he asked.
She loved her husband so