Page 181 of Ransom

"Nope," he says, idly brushing at a bit of lint on his jeans. "But Jonas will fill you in I'm sure. Won't you, Jonas? You wouldn't want Blair to feel left out."

Jonas shifts his gaze to me, and he slowly nods. "I have purchased that development just outside town. The one owned by Angela. We will have to finish the houses to our standard, but I think they should be ready to move into by the fall."

I sit forward on the bench, because what the fuck? "Wait. What? You bought that whole property?" The parcel was huge. There was only one small section of it developed so far with the mini mansions, but the plan was for nearly two hundred homes. "It's huge."

Ransom's smiling, not looking that surprised. "How many houses are framed out there?"

"Twelve," Colton chimes in. "We could make one into a clubhouse or something."

"Or save it for other family members."

"Right. That would be good too, I guess."

I hold up my hand, bringing everyone's attention to me. "Are you guys moving here?"

Jonas gives me a duh look, but thankfully lowers himself enough to explain. "Ransom loves you. You live here and do not want to leave. Therefore, we have to come to you."

My stomach drops. "Wait. You're going to all pick up your lives and move here? That's insane."

"That would be insane," Colton agrees. "Not all of us are moving in full time. We're just going to get it set up for weekends and shit. I think a few of us will move more permanently before too long."

My mouth drops open, so I force myself to shut it and look at Ransom. "What’s happening?”

"I don't know for sure, but it seems like my family has figured out a way to keep everyone together."

"Just like that?"

He smiles and tips my chin up, pressing a gentle kiss to my mouth. “Yeah love. Just like that." He leans back, eyes lit with joy. "Family sticks. And my family is stickier than most."

"Yup," Colton says cheerily, "you're stuck with us now." Then he turns serious eyes on Ransom. "I get the house closest to the pond, okay?"

Apparently, that's Jonas's breaking point. With a scowl, hands balled up at his sides, he turns on Colton. "You are a pain in my ass!"

Colton just grins. "You're welcome."

With a low growl, Jonas reaches out, grabs the top of the overalls, and yanks. I am completely unprepared for how easily the two sides come apart. But they do. Within a second, Jonas is holding a large scrap of sparkly pink material, and Colton is standing in front of us in a white t-shirt and Superman briefs.

Ransom's hands cover my eyes as I double over laughing. “Oh God! I did not need to see that!"

"Superman underwear. Really, Colt?" Ransom's chest shakes with laughter against my back.

"They were the only clean ones!" Colton's voice fades as he takes off after Jonas. "Get back here with my overalls!"

I lean into Ransom's solid warmth, unable to stop giggling. "Is it always like this with them?"

"Pretty much." He drops his hands but keeps his arms wrapped around me. "Usually with less public nudity though. Usually."

"I can't believe they're moving here." The laughter fades to a warm glow in my chest as I turn to face him. "Your whole family."

"Our family." His eyes crinkle at the corners. "If you want them."

"Even with the random stripping and property wars?"

"Especially with those." He brushes his thumb across my cheek. "You fit, Blair. You always have."

The morning sun catches his face, highlighting the hope and love I see there. Twenty-five years melts away, and I'm that teenage girl again, falling for the boy who saw past my walls. Only now he's a man who's built a family big enough to include us all.

"I want it," I whisper. "The chaos, the love, all of it."