Read Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch for Free Online

to look for coyote.”
    Will rolled his eyes and headed for the main house, saying over his shoulder, “They handle their own predator problems just fine. You can stop bringing this up.”
    Chris caught up to him. “But you’re missing a prime opportunity to—­”
    â€œI don’t have time.”
    â€œDaniel and I can—­”
    â€œStop!” Will’s voice was a little too sharp. With a sigh, he turned to walk backward so he could see his little brother. “Let it go, Chris, okay?”
    â€œFor now. Just so you know, I moved the dams on the Rigel field. Daniel took care of the Orion. We can handle things.”
    â€œPut the helicopter in the hangar, will you?”
    And that was the end of the conversation. Will would be happy when Chris and his fiancée, Heather Armstrong, were married. Maybe then Chris would focus on his wife and his home and leave Will in peace.
    At the house, Will entered through the mudroom, kicking off his cowboy boots and washing his hands and face in the big industrial sink.
    As he was drying off, he spotted his mom, Faith, standing in the doorway, holding a glass of wine. As usual, she wore a flowing, billowy dress, like a flower child from the ’60s, though she’d only been a young girl then. Her dark, frizzy hair, streaked with gray, hung soft and loose down her back. There were faint lines on her fresh-­scrubbed face, but none of that mattered next to the warmth of her smile.
    â€œHow was the ride?” she asked.
    â€œGood. Beautiful conditions,” he said, dropping a kiss on her cheek as he walked past.
    The kitchen lights weren’t on yet, and the golden rays of the setting sun cast the room in warm, mellow tones. Crystals hanging in the windows separated the light into the occasional rainbow of color across the countertop or floor. Candles burned in lotus holders, and a statue of the goddess held the place of honor in the picture window of the breakfast nook. Will shook his head fondly at all the evidence of his mother’s bohemian lifestyle. It wasn’t just his mom, of course. His dad was big into Slow Food, and he was involved with the distribution of organic foods to all the restaurants in the entire Roaring Fork Valley.
    He glanced toward the dining room, hearing lots of raised voices.
    â€œWe’re having a dinner party,” Faith said.
    Will cocked his head. “Any special reason?”
    â€œWe’re celebrating Emily and Nate’s inclusion on the adoption agency website.”
    â€œGood reason. Do I have time for a quick shower?”
    â€œNo, you’re fine.” She swept past him, leaving a perfumed trail in her wake. “I’m just getting the appetizers ready. Can you carry a tray in?”
    He grabbed a ­couple pieces of cheese before doing as his mom asked. The decibel level vastly increased as he entered the dining room, which was separated from the living room by a big stone fireplace open on both sides. Floor-­to-­ceiling windows overlooked the patio and the Elk Mountains beyond, in shadow now that the sun had set beyond them. He was swamped immediately by starving family members, and he set down the tray before returning for another one. Standing momentarily in the doorway, he watched them all, feeling a sense of contentment and love. Chris stood talking to his fiancée, Heather, who owned As You Like It Catering. His baby sister, Steph, had brought along her boyfriend, Tyler Brissette, who ate like he hadn’t seen food in a week. Will’s dad, Joe, stood talking to Grandma Sweet, both of them wearing serious expressions. The two of them always had a lot to talk about, including gossip about everyone in Valentine.
    Even Daniel had brought a date, Will thought with surprise. He wasn’t sure he’d ever met her before. She was dressed all in black, with dark makeup around her eyes, black hair that covered half her face, and a stud beneath