But the arrangement she’d suggested, long-distance parenting on his part, was a modern wrinkle. What if she secretly longed for him to be a true partner in the process, a full-time dad and a devoted husband? If so, he could tap into that.
Maybe he was old-fashioned, too. He and Izzy had accidentally created a family and he wanted to keep that family together. And why not? He lusted after the mother of his child. Evidently she had similar feelings for him. They’d created fertile ground for developing deeper feelings, good for them and good for the baby.
But she’d convinced herself that living six-hundred miles apart was the way to go. He had to change her mind. First step, get her back in his arms while a country song helped create some down-home magic.
She was susceptible to that. So was he. If they could fall in love a little bit during her stay, she might begin to question the wisdom of living separate lives.
His phone pinged with her reply. That sounds nice. What time?
It’ll be after dinner. I’ll check with everyone and let you know. See you then.
She sent him a thumbs-up emoji. Not the most romantic of gestures, but he’d take it. Now to rally the troops.
He’d start with Matt, who shared morning barn duty with him. Matt was a good place to begin, since he’d logged in more years at the ranch than any member of the Brotherhood except Seth, who’d moved to Eagles Nest. Matt had taken over Seth’s leadership position.
But the subject was too important to broach during the feeding routine. He wanted Matt’s full attention. He’d make use of the lull between feeding and turnout.
After leaning his wheelbarrow against the back wall of the barn, he waited for Matt to do the same. “Need to discuss something with you, bro.”
Matt pulled off his work gloves. “Bet I can guess what’s on your mind. Lucy gave me some details last night.”
“Good. Saves time.” He tucked his gloves in his back pocket. “Bottom line, I need to change Izzy’s mind about this plan of hers.”
“Are you serious about a move to Seattle?”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our little family together.”
Matt glanced at him. “Have you told Isabel that?”
“Not yet. But I don’t see any other way to make sure I’m a big part of that kid’s life.”
“And Isabel’s?”
“That, too. I think we could make it as a couple.”
“Under different circumstances, I agree you two would have a shot. But like everybody else has said, I can’t see you adapting well to city life.”
“I will if the alternative is watching Izzy marry some dude in Seattle who’ll spend more time with my kid than I will.”
Matt sighed. “Yeah, that would suck.”
“She’ll want to have another kid with him, too.”
“How do you know?”
“Zane was up at the house talking to Henri yesterday when Izzy and I arrived. He mentioned that he and Mandy were trying for kid number two and Izzy agreed that having a sibling is the way to go.”
“Lucy said that Isabel envisions you marrying someone local and having the family you want in the rural atmosphere you love. It’s a generous attitude on her part. And I see her point.”
“Oh, I see it, too. That was the plan when she left. But the baby changed my thinking. Then I saw her walking toward me in the terminal yesterday. I want her as much as I ever did. More.”
Matt nodded. “Lucy thinks Isabel’s still hung up on you. And she wants you to be happy.”
“I want that for her, too. I’m arrogant enough to believe she’ll be happy with me.”
“Okay, then.”
“I just have to convince her we belong together.”
“How are you planning to go about it?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“Sounds like you’re considering a Brotherhood campaign.”
“I am.”
Matt paused and adjusted the fit of his hat. “If we succeed in changing Isabel’s mind, we’ll lose you.”
“Not completely. I won’t live here anymore, but I’ll come back for visits as often as I can.”
“Yeah, well…” Sadness filled his gaze. “The thing is I’m kinda used to your ugly mug, Cornelius.”
He smiled. “Start using that name and I’ll be obliged to rearrange yours.”
“You tried that once. And I won, as I recall.”
“But you’re a married man, now. Everybody knows married men get soft. I could take you, no problem.”
Matt laughed. “In your dreams, cowboy.” He sighed again and scuffed his boot against a piece of straw stuck to the barn’s wooden floor. Then he glanced up. “This is what you really want?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s move these ponies out to the pasture. We can continue this discussion while we’re mucking out stalls. I think better when I’m shoveling.”
“Me, too.”
* * *
“Why can’t Isabel just move here?” Nick climbed into the cramped backseat of CJ’s truck.
“Because of her coffee shop.” CJ waited for Garrett to swing up into the passenger seat before starting the engine.
“Couldn’t she sell it?”
“That would be like cutting off her right arm, bro. She made a go of that business despite fierce competition from the big dogs.”
“Big dogs is right.” Garrett laid his hat on his lap. “Seattle’s home to some famous coffee companies. I’m impressed she carved out a place for herself.”
“So am I,” Nick said. “She’s thriving in that city. I just can’t picture you thriving there, CJ. While I was lifting weights today I watched a video of the place on my phone. It looked nice, just not right for you. It’s all seafood, ferries and jazz festivals. I didn’t see anybody wearing a Stetson. Lots of umbrellas, though.”
“It’s right for me if Izzy and my kid are there.”
“Makes sense.” Garrett glanced at him. “I’d do the same in your shoes. And I’d work hard to adapt.”
“You might be able to at this point, Garrett,” Nick said, “but wait until you’ve lived here for as many years
