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

“Nice to meet you,” I said.

“You, also,” she agreed with a smile. “Thank you for having us. The kids have been looking forward to it for weeks.”

“Mom! Don’t forget us!” Dylan spouted off; coming forward and offering his little hand to me. “I’m Dylan, and this is Remi.” He nodded to the beautiful green-eyed little girl standing next to him. “Thank you for inviting us on a real cowboy weekend!”

I shook his proffered hand, smiling from ear to ear.

Quite the little gentleman, I thought.

“Well, aren’t you quite charming? It’s nice to meet you, both!”

“Yeah! He’s charming,” Remi said with a grin, “and I’m his damsel.”

“Oh, really?” I laughed, cocking one eyebrow. Ben told me the kids were being raised together, and it was cute the way Remi made the distinction. “And who is this little one?” I asked nodding to the shy little boy in Teagan’s arms.

“That’s just Jace. He’s two!” Dylan piped up. Ben was smiling from ear to ear, happiness in every inch of his face. He must miss them very much.

“He’s my little brother. May I hold your puppy, please?” Remi asked quietly, her eyes trained on Gem who was sniffing everyone’s feet. She was growing rapidly and would soon be too large to carry and I wondered if Remi would be able to hold her, but her little arms were already reaching out for her. “This is Gem,” I answered with a nod. “I’m sure she’d love playing with you, Remi.”

“Gem? Wow! This is the kind of doggy I want! My dad promised, but then we got Jace and now the new baby, so I have to wait. When I get one it’s gonna be a girl and I’m gonna name her Jewel!”

“That’s sorta the same as Gem! Isn’t that cool?” Dylan observed.

“Yeah!” Remi answered.

I laughed out loud at their youthful exuberance. “It certainly is. Amazing coincidence.” Gemmy started licking Remi’s face profusely the minute the little girl picked her up in her arms. “She’s getting heavy so you can set her down if you’d like. She’ll stay with us.”

“Is it okay to hold her for a while?” Remi asked. “I just love her so much, already!”

“Of course.” I nodded.

“Remi don’t sit down in the dirt until you get into your play clothes,” Teagan reminded, gently.

“Aw, Mom!” she complained.

“Are you hungry? I happen to have some brownies and milk in the house.” I tried to distract them. They would undoubtedly get filthy on the ranch if they were allowed to have any fun, but I could wash the Wyoming dirt out of their clothes, even manure if needed.

“Can we go to the barn instead?” Dylan asked boldly. “Can we, Uncle Ben? I want to see Dark! Can we?” he asked cheekily.

My eyes connected with Ben’s and I nodded almost imperceptibly, silently telling him I didn’t mind. We all chuckled at Dylan’s precociousness.

“Sorry,” Missy apologized for her son.

“Oh, no worries. We can get some tea and if little Jace needs a nap, you can put him down in one of the spare rooms.”

“Thank you so much,” Teagan said. “I think I’m as tired as he is. This pregnancy thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

“Unclllleeee Beeeennnnn,” Dylan insisted, yanking on the hem of Ben’s light blue T-shirt. “Pleeeaasssee.”

“Sure, sport. Remi, do you want to come with us? Gem can tag along if we make sure to keep her out of the stalls.”

“Can I mom? I won’t sit on anything!” she almost begged, her excitement making her bounce up and down. “Please.”

“Okay.” Teagan nodded with a smile.

“Yay!” Remi burst out. “Let’s go!” She set Gemmy on the ground and patted her leg. “Come on, baby! Come on!” Clearly, she didn’t want to be separated from the puppy. Gem yapped enthusiastically and started following her new friends.

“I got them,” Ben assured the two women. “No worries.” He strode off after the two children. “Hey kids, no screaming! You’ll spook the horses!”

The trio hurried off toward the barn. “Be careful,” Teagan called after them. “Mind Uncle Ben!”

“We will!” the kids said, once again in unison.

“We can get your bags later.” I said with a huffed out laugh. “Come on in. You’ve got some beautiful kids.”

“They’re so excited,” Missy put in as we climbed the few stairs of the porch to the front door. “They couldn’t wait to get here.”

“This is a great place. I love all of the fresh air,” Teagan said. “And the views!”

“Yeah. I really love the mountains.” I opened the door and ushered them inside. “The kitchen is to the right. It’s not much, but it was my Uncle’s house, and I haven’t had time to remodel.”

“I think it’s perfect,” Missy said. “Ben said you board horses and that you had an auto shop. I’m sorry that burned down. So sad.”

I wondered if Ben had shared about Carter or just mentioned the fire. “Yes. But if that hadn’t happened, I guess I wouldn’t have met your brother, or now, any of you.” When no mention was made of Carter, I guessed Ben had kept that part to himself.

“Are you planning on rebuilding?” Teagan asked, genuinely interested. “Because if not, this place would make a great bed and breakfast or how about a dude ranch? We’ve been looking at dude ranches to visit in the area for about a year, and they are in such high demand they’re all fully booked.”

“Hmm, that’s a good idea, actually.” I mused at the idea as I brought the plate of brownies to the table. “I’m not sure yet. A few mechanics were working for us and I thought I’d rebuild to bring back their jobs, but most of them had already moved on before the fire. So now, I’m not sure. If they want to come back, then I think I should rebuild.”

“Maybe they could work for you on the dude ranch?” Missy asked.

I mulled it over for a minute. Some of them might. I’d definitely think it over and discuss it with Ben. “Maybe some might. Help