“Fuck later. We’ve got shit to do,” Nash called.
Emma broke away, laughing. “A day isn’t a day in River Rock without Nash being Nash.”
Shep nodded and sighed, taking her hand then leading her up the porch steps into the house. He found his brothers in the kitchen, and like always, they’d made themselves perfectly at home, taking a couple beers out of the fridge. Emma sat down at the kitchen table while Shep grabbed two beers out for them, cracking them open, handing one to Emma.
“Thanks.” She smiled.
Shep nodded and sat next to her, saying to Chase, “Wow me.”
“All right.” Chase took out the blueprints and spread out the documents along the kitchen table. He handed Shep one, Nash another one, and Emma one too. “Here’s my thinking: Based on what we’ll charge per guest, we’ll start to build the sleeping cabins first. Twelve in total. Along with a comfort station with washroom and shower facilities. That will get us started.” He handed Shep another blueprint. “From there, the plan will be to build an outdoor pavilion.” Then he handed Nash the last blueprint. “After which, we’ll finish up with the dining hall, because it’s the most expensive. For now, we’ll get Mom to host the guests in the house.”
“That will certainly work,” Shep agreed, studying the blueprints. “And I can only imagine Mom will be onboard with this.”
“We’ll need to hire a couple of cooks, though,” Nash interjected, handing the blueprint back to Chase. “Mom can’t handle all those meals.”
Emma added, “I wish I could help her, but honestly, cooking isn’t really my thing.”
Shep placed his hand on her thigh, giving her leg a squeeze. “You’re doing just fine running all the website stuff, and you’ve still got your part-time job at the Spurs. Besides, we need someone on social media, and that’s your thing. That’s where you should stay.” He knew that at some point her position with Blackshaw Cattle would become full-time, and she’d put her marketing experience to good use, but when that happened, and if it did, would always be Emma’s decision.
“Okay, good.” She smiled. “Because I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility that I would give the guests food poisoning.”
Shep pressed a kiss to her forehead, right as Chase asked, “The closing on your house is in a couple days?”
Shep leaned away from Emma and nodded at Chase. The sale of his house had happened in six hours. The buyer, who they learned was a famous
actor looking for a quiet home, came in at seventy thousand over asking price and wanted a fast closing. “Once we’ve got those funds available, I’ll cut you a check, then we can move ahead.”
“Great.” The spark in Chase’s eyes was undeniable. His brother needed this venture, and Shep had given him complete control, only offering to help on the business end of things whenever Chase asked.
With Colin continuing to run the cattle company, keeping the current customers happy, this was all Chase’s show. And they projected that six months after the grand opening, which was set to happen in three months, they would be recouping the finances they’d lost. Of course, Shep was taking a financial hit fronting the money, but they didn’t need to sell or close Blackshaw Cattle, and nothing mattered except that. Besides, his home was at the farm with Emma now.
“So, we’re good, then?” Chase asked, studying the plans, his hands pressed against the table.
Nash nodded. “I’m good.”
Shep examined the blueprints, then grabbed Emma, pulling her onto his lap. None of this would mean what it did without her. She’d given Chase his dreams and Nash a purpose. “What do you think, Emma?”
She smiled at him, then glanced at Chase and Nash before nodding. “I think we’re ready.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Shep said to Chase, sliding his fingers along Emma’s nape, relishing the shiver she gave.
“Jesus Christ, and everyone says I can’t keep my dick in my pants,” Nash quipped, clearly noticing her reaction. He rose from his chair, hurrying out of the room.
“He’s not wrong, you know.” Chase gave an exaggerated sigh, leaving the blueprints on the table and frowning. “Is it really necessary for us to continually watch you two nearly fuck each other constantly?”
Emma laughed.
Shep didn’t. He ignored his brothers as they left, wrapping his arms around Emma. As she turned, straddling him, he cupped her face. “It is necessary.”
“And why is that?” She smiled.
He nipped her lip. “Because I do want to constantly fuck you, and that, Emma, will never change.”
She leaned forward and whispered against his mouth, “Promise?”
“Darlin.” He slid his tongue across her bottom lip, relishing in her deep shiver. “Reach into my pants, and then you can feel my promise.”
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