Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

and she started into a slow walk. Jensen closed the gate behind us and leaned on it near his son.

Jace’s giggles filled the open air as I urged Siri into a slow trot. His squeals of delight filled my heart with joy as I held him securely to me. I hoped one day that my own child would be in the very place he was sitting; on Siri’s saddle in front of me as I took him or her on their first horseback ride. Chase and Teagan, and Missy and Jensen, had exactly what I wanted. A family of my own that fit right in with the bigger picture of theirs.

I wished Ben had been around to share this moment, but we both had work to do to make sure the celebration tonight was absolutely perfect.

BEN

The inside of the barn was like a magical place.

Marin had not delegated the decorating or the planning of the party, other than a little help from Remi and Teagan, and the result was outstanding. I stood in the center of the huge event space we’d created, looking around and just taking it all in.

There were votives scattered around; on the tables, the bar, and on several little recessed shelves that had been built into the walls near the stairs on the way up to the lofts. I had to admit that the twinkling lights that I’d complained about stringing through the log beams that crossed the building every four feet were the best part. The live band was playing soft instrumentals during dinner, but later the dance party would begin.

I had plans for the evening, and I couldn’t have picked a better place. My mother had flown in with Chase’s parents, his brother and sister and their kids. They’d all rented cars and shown up right after Missy’s group. We’d invited our caterer, Arlene, her husband and her kids. Gina had a sister, and her family would be here, too. They would all be staying in the cabins until Sunday, but tonight, we were open to the public.

Remi and Dylan had been stuck to me like glue, and I loved it. They were both dressed up, though Dylan complained when he had to change out of his play clothes. Remi was wearing a pretty white sundress and Dylan had on nice jeans and short sleeved button down in soft shade of blue. They both had on new cowboy boots, which I knew would be off their feet and shoved under a table in short order. I planned to show them how to break them in but even then, it would take more than a week of wear before they didn’t hurt their feet. “This is a ranch, Uncle Ben. How come we had to dress up?”

I laid a hand on his shoulder. “Because we want the people of Jackson to see that while it’s a dude ranch, it’s still a classy place to hold weddings and other parties. Besides, you might meet a pretty girl to dance with,” I teased.

“Uncle Ben!” Remi admonished. “I’m his damsel, so he has to dance with me!”

My nephew rolled his eyes and I chuckled.

“I don’t wanna dance right now, Remi. I wanna eat.” Dylan walked over to where the food was set up with several uniformed people to assist with the serving. Remi crossed her arms and stood firm. “Aren’t you coming?” Dylan asked, pausing to look over his shoulder when he realized she hadn’t come with him.

“Not until you admit I’m your damsel,” she was adamant, her face resolute.

Dylan’s head lolled back; his hands dropped to his side in defeat. “Ugh,” he groaned. “Fine. You’re my damsel. But only because I’m starving.”

“Give it time, Remi. Boys don’t start looking at girls until they’re at least twelve. Even then, it’s iffy.” I patted her between her shoulder blades. “You’ll see.”

“Well, I might find a new prince before then.”

“I bet you could, too. You look like Rapunzel.” Her dark hair was flowing down her back in a cascade of curls. “But wait a few years. You’ve got a lot of time. Let’s just concentrate on tonight, then having a great summer, okay?”

At the end of the week when their families left for home, Remi and Dylan were staying behind until just a week before they had to be back at school. Jace was too young, but I hoped that this would become a tradition, even when Marin and I started our own family.

“Okay. Will you dance with us later, Uncle Ben? Auntie Marin said she’d teach us some of those country line dances. I mean more of them,” She giggled a little.

“I remember. Thank you for helping Auntie Marin, Remi. She told me these beautiful lights were your idea.”

“Yep, cuz you told me what you told me.”

“Well, thank you for keeping my secret.”

“I told the band when I do this, they have’ta start playing that song you told me about.” She pointed her finger.

“Okay but wait until I do the thing we talked about.”

“I will, Uncle Ben. After the watermelon song. I got it.”

In secret, I’d taught my entire family The Watermelon Crawl over Skype so we could surprise Marin, sort of like a flash mob. It was the first line dance we’d even danced to and I thought it would be fun for her if everyone knew it. Especially Remi and Dylan. They adored Marin and I knew she already loved them as if they were her own.

“Remi! Are you coming or what?” Dylan called from across the room. He was waiting for her to come take a plate in front of him, holding her place in line.

“See? I am his damsel, right?” she said wryly shaking her head, swishing her long hair across her back. “Boys are dumb.”

I laughed and nodded my agreement as she took off toward where Dylan waited.

Everyone looked perfect. I noticed the crowd were wearing dressy casual, as if they were going to a club or summer wedding as my eyes scanned for