Page 91 of His Treasured Mate
“I really am the luckiest man alive,” I told them.
“We're officially Collier, party of eight now,” Lily said, beaming up at me.
Always and forever, Slugger.
Thomas
Epilogue
“Thomas, can we talk?”
“Sure Dad. I'll be there in just a minute. Let me finish up what I'm working on real quick.”
Luke was doing a fantastic job overseeing the ranch operations. It wasn't a hands-on daily job, but just at a high-level monitoring production, expenses, and profits. And he had just given me a strong proposal towards creating the greenhouse and expanding back into farming.
Despite my initial hesitations after the storm, the data he ran was very tempting.
“So, who would you recommend overseeing this project?” I asked him.
“I initially thought of Cruz, but he and Emmett are working really well together and running a tight ship over on our cattle and overseeing the cowboys. Ruby and Clay have the dairy running like a well-oiled machine. I'm not sure he'll be interested in the task, but I was kind of leaning toward Brady taking this one.”
I considered that a moment and then nodded, even knowing he couldn't see me through the phone.
“Let me make some calls and inquiries and I'll get back to you on that.”
Brady was Oliver's brother and practically like family. When Peyton had mated Ollie, he came with three younger brothers and a daughter, Eve. Brady was the oldest of the boys and a bit rough around the edges at first, though I hadn't heard of any issues in years. And I made it a point to know everything that happened in my territory.
I hung up with Luke and called Emmett.
“Hey man, what's up?” he answered
“Have some ideas to run by you real quick. Are you free for lunch?”
“No, but is it confidential?”
“Not really.”
“I'm meeting the rest of the Six Pack over at Kate's for lunch. Want to join us? I know everyone would love to see you. We don't often enough these days.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“I'm gonna stop you right there, boss. You do not ever have to apologize to us. We love to have you around, but you’re the Alpha, Thomas. We're proud as hell of you and will always be there for you, no matter what. Don't be sorry that you've been busy. You have two newborns at home. You're working your butt off and juggling a now family of seven. It's crazy, dude. But seriously, we're meeting in fifteen. You in?”
“Yeah, I'll be there.”
I got up and grabbed my keys.
“Dad, can I take a raincheck until this afternoon? I need to meet with Emmett over some things and the boys are having lunch at Kate's.”
“It'll wait. No worries.”
“Thanks. I'll find you when I return.”
I had no idea what he wanted to discuss, but it didn't seem too pressing.
I jumped into my truck and sped over to Kate's Diner. When I walked in, she was standing at the door greeting guests. I leaned down and kissed her cheek.
“Thomas, what brings you in today. Haven't seen you around much lately. How are Lily and the babies doing?”