They headed back to the ranch as the sky darkened, unsaddled the horses, and arrived at Hunter and Phoebe’s house just as dinner came out of the oven—a spaghetti-inspired casserole Ty’s mother called Italian sausage rigatoni that was a favorite of all six kids.
When it was time to take Ant, Iris, and Seth home, Shannon didn’t want to go. Ty offered to help her get her brother’s kids settled in the SUV, and after they were secure in their seatbelts, she lingered outside with him.
“So… Heather was right,” she said quietly, giving voice to the observation that had been nagging her all evening. “You’re serious about wanting to settle down.”
“Yeah, I am. Not that I ever partied it up or felt the need to sow my wild oats, as they say, but I’m almost twenty-seven. It’s time.”
“Well, I can tel
