“No. If it’s our sound, you’ll want to change it. Make it yours. Make it Sweet Hollow Ranch. And I don’t want that. I love the band. I love making music with you. But this is different.”

Ezra nodded, petting a cat while the other one had fallen asleep in the small space between Ezra and the chair arm. “Okay, tell us about it.”

But it was nearly eight and he had to get moving.

“Next time. I’ll be over here next week. Having lunch with Mom. I need to tell her everything. She has misgivings about Kelly that aren’t based in truth. And I’ve let that remain the case for years. Time to pay up. I want you all to understand what Kelly did and didn’t do after the divorce. She doesn’t feel welcome here and I get why.”

Vaughan stood to go.

“Natalie and Mary were talking about this the other day. I think we all misjudged her and that’s not cool. I’d be really upset if you guys did that to Mary,” Damien said.

“All I ask is that you get to know Kelly and give her a chance. And I can’t do that if she doesn’t feel like anyone wants to know her at all.” He had this family. This support. They loved Mary and Natalie and Tuesday, so why the hell not Kelly?

“Fair enough,” Paddy said as they all walked Vaughan over to his car. “I want to hear your stuff. Just because you’re doing it solo doesn’t mean we won’t all be there for you. To help if you want it.”

Hearing that from Paddy—the brother also known as Make-It-Perfect-Paddy—meant a lot. They’d clashed on the making of the last album over Vaughan’s approach to the material. He respected Paddy immensely and it had frustrated him, made him feel as if he’d never measure up. But this was so much better.

And what he’d needed.

He said his goodbyes, grabbed the girls, dropped off the dog and headed back home. Where he wanted to be more than anything else.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“I NEED TO make a trip to New York,” Kelly said as she finished up her last stretch and headed to her water bottle.

The sun had been up awhile, but it was still that pale morning light and it lent their room a pretty glow.

Not at all hurt by the gorgeous man in nothing more than pajama bottoms and a naughty look on his mouth, either. Watching Kelly do yoga was one of Vaughan’s favorite activities, it seemed. He’d lounge in the nearby chair reading, dealing with his own business stuff or writing. He never bothered her or made noise and she’d grown to like having his energy around.

“Can I come?”

“Really?” She was so afraid to hope, afraid he’d make light of it or not take it seriously.

“Yeah. I’d love to go back with you. I can hang with the girls while you’re working and then when you have the time we can do family stuff. Maddie was a baby the last time I was in New York City with her.”

His smile was so wonderful, so full of love and happiness that it made it hard to breathe for a few moments. She loved him so much, so fiercely, it had marked her to the core. There was never not loving him.

Even before Kensey had been born she’d begun to miss him. It wasn’t that he was working and she was home. Kelly had loved being home with Maddie.

It was that he had a whole other life when he left the door. And he liked that.

So his absence in her life had been a low-level ache for a very long time. One she figured would never leave her. Because despite all that, she’d never been able to not love him. She’d tried. God knew she’d tried right up to planning to marry someone else.

Vaughan wanting a family with her had been all she’d ever desired when they’d divorced. And it remained her chief wish. That expression he wore was enough to untie several knots she’d had in her belly for a long time.

And she let herself believe a little more.

“If we left Friday after school and take a red-eye, we can stay through Wednesday. I don’t want to miss the grand opening of Tuesday’s gallery the following week.”

“Friday to Wednesday is totally doable. Let me check in with Ez, just to be sure he won’t need me. Since the girls will be out of school by week’s end, I thought it’d be a good idea to put our idea of having them more involved in the land into practice. Bring them out a few times a week.”

He’d made it a point to insist the girls be home with them over the summer break and she hadn’t argued. They had plenty of fun when they headed over to the ranch. Vaughan had a pool there. There were horses to ride and all that land to run and play on. Plus their uncle Ezra had all sorts of animals he’d let Maddie and Kensey name. Naturally all the goats were named Marshmallow.

“Good. They need it. They’ll have a cousin soon so that’ll be fun for them, too. Just remember to give yourself time for your music. You need that.”

He stood, pulling her into a hug. He was warm and smelled of sleep in their bed.

“What’s that for?” Kelly asked.

“I’m working on the solo project I told you about.”

She took his hands. “You didn’t say much then. Will you tell me about it now? Maybe play something for me?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that. Later? I’ve got something to do first. I’m headed to the ranch this morning. I’m having a late breakfast with my parents.”

“Okay. I can’t wait to hear the details. I’m excited for you. Proud.” And a little concerned he might be separating himself from them. As awkward as it was to be around his family, she never wanted him to cut himself off. She understood how important they all were to one another, and as a unit. As much as she wished she was included in it, she’d never want him or their children to cut that off.