have to do this if I hadn’t been so stupid to take Rosie for a ride.”
“Nah, don’t think twice about it. You didn’t know, but better to learn early on.”
I nodded in agreement.
Tanner and Ty got Pogo safely loaded up in the horse trailer as Brock helped me up into his truck. Tanner rode with me and Brock while Ty followed behind. Brock kept plowing the new snow as it came down. It was light, but from the looks of the dark sky in the north, another heavy round was about to move in.
It didn’t take long to get back to the main barn. Brock kept the plow on his truck, said his goodbyes, and headed back to Lincoln and the kids. Tanner helped Ty get the trailer off his truck, and before he took off back home to Kaylee, Stella gave him a casserole.
We watched as Ty drove off, then Stella turned and looked at me. “Your ankle?”
“Is doing much better. Tanner found crutches for me to use, but I really don’t think I’ll need them. I think I just twisted it good when I was thrown from Rosie.”
“Well, let’s get you both into the house, and I’ll start making some lunch.”
“We ate a pretty big breakfast, Mama,” Tanner stated as we followed his mother back down the path toward their house.
“That’s fine, I’ll make some sandwiches and soup. Maybe later we can even make an apple pie, Timberlynn.”
“Oh, I’ve never baked a pie before.”
Stella turned and gave me a look of pure disbelief. “First the cookies, now pie! Lord, we’ve got some catching up to do with baking!”
“I can almost read her mind now,” Tanner whispered. “She’s thinking if you intend on being with me, you need to be able to cook so her precious baby boy doesn’t starve!”
I giggled and hit him on the chest. I’d never in my life felt so happy. Coming to Montana was the best decision I’d ever made, and one I knew I wouldn’t regret.
Now the only hurdle was figuring out how to buy a piece of property without my father attempting to block it.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
TANNER
New Year’s Eve
The last week had been pure bliss. Even if I had to sneak around my folks’ house like a high school boy attempting to get laid for the first time. Each night I found myself in Timberlynn’s bed. We woke up each morning, kissed and fooled around like kids, then I’d leave to head back to my room before things got too hot and heavy. We had even snuck away to the barn a few times with some blankets, a lantern we used for camping, and some wine. Somehow sex in my folks’ barn loft had become my new favorite thing. At least when I could push away the memory of Ty telling me he’d lost his virginity in the same spot.
“Thank goodness the snow has let up enough for folks to make it to the party tonight!” my mother said as she looked up from the little smokie sausage rolls she was wrapping up in crescent rolls. Kaylee and Timberlynn were working alongside my mother, each super focused on the task of rolling them up. My mother had taught Timberlynn how to make an apple pie from scratch, right down to the crust, as well as at least ten different types of casseroles and the homemade ragu her Italian best friend had taught her how to make after my mother married my father. They also made countless amounts of cookies, brownies, fudge, and three cakes. With homemade buttercream frosting and all. I was positive I’d gained at least ten pounds since Christmas.
“How many people are coming?” Kaylee asked.
My mother handed me a bowl, marshmallow fluff, and cream cheese. “You know what to do with this. And do not eat it, Tanner!” my mother demanded.
I gave her a salute and winked at Timberlynn, who blushed. I was quickly falling madly, head over heels in love with Timberlynn, and a part of me wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
“Timberlynn, Kaylee can finish up the wraps. Can you start on cutting up the fruit for the tray?”
“Certainly.” Like a dutiful young apprentice, Timberlynn took the containers of fruit and started to cut and arrange them onto a tray.
“Let’s see, pretty much everyone we invited will be here. This year we kept the list on the smaller side.”
Dirk walked into the kitchen and everyone looked over at him.
“Hey, Dirk. We haven’t seen you in a few days,”