“I noticed that he couldn’t take his eyes off of her during dinner,” Taylor admitted.
Summer nodded. “It’s that way every time we get together.”
“Maybe one day they’ll work it out,” Taylor offered.
“Maybe,” Summer said, smiling.
As talk turned to babies, breast-feeding schedules and the lack of sleep both new mothers were experiencing, Taylor smiled. Even the wives of the men were close, making the blended family all the more special.
Several hours later as they drove away from Ryder and Summer’s ranch, Taylor glanced over at Lane. “I love your family,” she said, sincerely. “Everyone is so friendly and nice. I really enjoyed getting to know them.”
“I’m lucky to have them.” Lane shrugged. “Even though there are times I’d like to muzzle them to shut them up, there isn’t one of them that wouldn’t be there for me in a heartbeat if I needed them, the same as I will always be there for them.”
“I think it’s wonderful that you all have stayed so close over the years.” She had friends, but the bond between the men she’d met tonight went beyond friendship. They had chosen to become a family and were closer than some people she knew who were related by blood. “I would have loved to have a family that got along that well.”
Reaching across the truck’s console, he covered her hand with his. “We’re just like any other family. Most of the time we get along. But other times it can be a zoo,” he said, smiling. “Just because you see us getting along, don’t think that we don’t have our arguments sometimes.”
“But you always get over it and you’re right back to getting along?” she guessed.
“Always,” he admitted.
“That’s something my parents never do,” she said, sighing. “They just continue to shout at each other.”
“But they love you,” Lane said gently.
She nodded. “I guess everyone has a different family dynamic,” she admitted. “Some are just more harmonious than others.”
Staring out the windshield at the star-studded night sky, Taylor still couldn’t help but be envious of Lane’s family. Besides the fact that they all got along so well, listening to Bria and Summer talk about their husbands almost made Taylor wish she could have a relationship like that.
She had never entertained the idea of getting married and starting a family because of her parents and their hostilities toward each other. But seeing Lane’s brothers and their wives and the loving way they treated each other was eye-opening for her. It had shown her what a relationship based on love and respect could be like.
“I’ll be setting up the poker game over in Shreveport for the end of this coming week,” Lane said, breaking into her musings.
“Do you think I’m ready to match my skills against yours?” She wasn’t overly thrilled by the news. For one thing, she wasn’t entirely certain she would be a worthy opponent. And for another, no matter who won, the other would be leaving the ranch. So why did that make her sad?
Over two weeks ago, all she’d wanted—all she could think about—was winning back his half of the ranch and ordering Lane off the property. But now?
“You still have to watch your tells,” he answered. “But yes, you’re ready to play me for the ranch.”
They were both quiet for the rest of the drive and by the time Lane parked his truck next to the Lucky Ace ranch house, Taylor decided not to think about what would happen when they played poker for the ranch. She was determined to enjoy whatever time they had left together.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m damned glad to be home,” he said, giving her a look that caused her insides to feel as if they had turned to warm pudding. “I think turning in early would be a good idea.”
“Really? I thought you told your brothers you were going to come home and watch the baseball game,” she said, feigning innocence. She knew exactly what he meant and her heart sped up at the thought of once again being loved by him.
“What I tell my brothers and what I do are sometimes two different things,” he said, getting out of the truck to come around and help her from the passenger side. Putting his arm around her shoulders, he leaned down to whisper close to her ear as they walked to the porch. “I would much rather take you upstairs and hit a home run than watch some overpaid athlete only make it to second or third base.”
“Don’t you think the Rangers will score at least once or twice tonight?” she teased.
Laughing, he shook his head. “Not the kind of scoring I intend to do when we go upstairs, babe.”