"It looks like the last quarter we have increased our revenue by 3%. We are staying steady on our income/debt ration. How are the new hires working out?"

Nat lifted her head from her paperwork to her brother who was also flipping through his own folder. They were currently sitting in their office going through their daily check up on how everything is going for the ranch. It has been a few days since Jackson and Cassie had to return to California. 

Jackson informed Nat that he wanted to move here permanently. It was a morning after they took a shower together. She was coming out of the bathroom after drying her hair to find him still covered only in a towel sitting on their bed. His eyes were already looking at her as she made her way to him. She cupped his jaw making him tilt his head up as she stood between his legs. With the straightest face she had ever seen, he just told her that he wanted this every morning. She froze for a moment searching his eyes but then smiled as she nodded. Another shower was needed that morning. 

"Both are fitting in just fine and Miguel has been teaching them the ropes. I don't know if they both will last through the winter but will see."

Natalia leaned back in her chair taking a good look at her brother. His permanent frown has relaxed into a somewhat smile. She knew Cassie had everything to do with that. They had been quite the match much to her disgruntlement. Keith was living in the house they built for Cass the day after they showed her. Apparently he was already planning that but wanted to make sure Cassie asked before just presuming. It was still a bit odd to watch them but only because it was her long time best friend and her brother. She shivers still thinking about it but is coming to terms with it. 

"Good... Now on a different matter." She says putting down her papers making Keith's eyes snap to meet hers. "Jackson is going to be moving in permanently."

Keith sat down his folder focusing solely on his baby sister. Her eyes daring him to object. He stayed quiet as he studied her. "What of his home?"

"He only was there for a short time and was renting. He didn't own anything. He is going to be sending for the movers in the next few weeks to get everything transitioned down here."

She held her breath waiting for his reaction. Her eyes went wide watching as the corner of his lips lifted up. That was definitely not the reaction she was expecting. 

"Good"

"Good?" She blinks wondering if her mind is playing tricks on her. "Just good?"

"I told city slick if he wanted to make this work that he would have to make the move."

"He has a name Keith," she grumbled sitting up straight tugging on her shirt. All she got in return was a chuckle from him. "When did you tell him this?"

"Shortly after the snake bite. He told me how serious he was and I told him the truth."

"Which is?"

"That this is your home-" he gestures around the office they were in before dropping his hands. "This is what you love and living in a city isn't you."

Her lip tilted up knowing her brother was right. She loved Jackson but the idea of moving to a city was a terrifying thought. It warmed her heart that Jax could see that and decided to take the leap. 

"I didn't know he felt like that back then."

Keith just snorted making her eyes snap to him. "The first time he came to visit I knew and that says something cause I can't stand any ninito around you."

Natalia rolled her eyes standing up from the chair, "he isn't a little boy Keith."

He smirked standing up with his folder in hand. "Did Cassie tell you she was selling her home in California?"

She smirked at him crossing her arms. "She told me before you."

He rolled his eyes making her laugh as she rounded her desk. He shoved her playfully before taking off out the door leaving her there with an agape mouth. "What are you... 5?!"

She could here her brother's laughter bouncing off the walls as he left the stables. She walked out of the office and looked around the stalls where only a few horses remained. A huff of air blew her hair to the front. Her arm came up hugging the underside of her black stallion's neck. 

"That's my boy"

He snickered dropping his long face over her shoulder. Some of the ranch hands stopping to watch how the wild stallion so easily bends to the mistress of the ranch. Not a single sole dares to go near that horse other than the two owners. He is to wild and untamed but to Ms. Thornton, he is as domestic as a kitten under her care. Natalia turns around grabbing onto his back and effortlessly straddles him bare back. He begins walking at a steady pace with his mistress safely in his care. 

With the clicking of her tongue, he shoots off like a bullet leaving others to move out of his way. She lets her head fall back to the sun that is high in the sky allowing it to soak in her skin. She couldn't understand how anyone wouldn't want this kind of life. It was freedom, pure unacquainted freedom that nothing could match. Shadow was still galloping when they got to the top of a hill over looking the mountains around the ranch. She smiled at the sight below her. This was her world and she loved it. 

Her thoughts drifted to what Keith said about this being her home. She wondered if it came to it if she would move for Jackson? She knew he had grown accustomed to all of this and loved the tranquility of it. She thought back to her trip to California and thought it wasn't bad but it was just that... a trip. She never thought about making it permanent. The thought of Jackson though leaving and asking her to move with him left her wondering. Her mind recalling so many memories they have created together. The evenings they were curled up together watching something senseless on the couch or the dinners where he would try to help and end up covered in what ever they were making. The laughter, the smiles, the never ending joy he brought her. 

There were also the heavy moments where he discussed his family with her and vice versa. She wished she could take away some of the heart ache that he had went through. That thought made her realize that she would do anything for him including moving if it came to it. She would have missed this place dearly but for him, she would have crossed waters for. 

A snicker made her come back to reality as she rubbed Shadow's neck. "Come on boy"

He turned and began trotting back to the house. She looked around at everything her father, mother and brother had created. She was proud to be able to help it grow and continue it's legacy. This ranch wasn't just a thriving business but also a family. The people they had were loyal and worked hard. Her and Keith had decided years ago to also give benefits including health packages for the employees and their families. It has come to light that it had a few of the staff's and their wives either due to illness or pregnancies. This just enforced why they were one of the top ranches in the south. 

"Ms. Thornton! You have a call!"

She nodded at Miguel as she dismounted Shadow and patted the dark beauty. He neighed as he walked away. The workers backing away making Nat roll her eyes. They were truly terrified of him and he boasted knowing that. She walked into her office grabbing the land line before sitting down in her chair. 

"This is Natalia"

"How's my love?"

Natalia grinned looking out the window outside her office. "She is doing great, she is missing her main man but otherwise she is good."

Hearing a light laugh filled her heart. "He is missing his leading lady as well. How did Keith take the news?"

"He actually smiled. Almost made me have a stroke."

"You're kidding?" She snorted hearing the disbelief in his voice followed by a very low 'wow'. 

"He was expecting it according to him."

It was quiet for a moment but not in an uncomfortable manner. "Any doubts yet?"

"Nope" She said popping the p. "How bout you?"

"Absolutely not" His voice dropped a few notches. She bit her lip from giggling at his sultry voice. "I'm ready to be home again."

Hearing him refer to her home as his made her heart melt. She relaxed in her chair smiling like an idiot. "I'm ready for you to be here too."

"Soon" 

"Soon. And let me inform you Mr. Fillmore, you will be bound to my bed for the considerable future."

He hummed making her clench her thighs together unconsciously. "Is that so Ms. Thornton?"

"Mmhmm" 

"Please don't make me get a hard on while sitting in the studio." He whispered making her laugh out loud. 

"How is the tracks coming along?"

"Cassie is doing incredible. If she keeps this up we may finish the recordings ahead of schedule."

"That's great. When's the next show?"

"Tomorrow she has an appearance on Jimmy Fallon."

"Is she ready for the tour?"

After the three weeks of them doing this, they will have a few months before the tour begins after dropping the new CD. Media is already speculating about it being the album of the year. Natalia is happy and proud for her best friend. She knows how much Cassie always wanted this. There was a time after her first show back where she seemed reserved about continuing her career but something must have happened to change her mind because she was back on track and creating the music she loves. Natalia knew her brother was a huge part on why Cassie was driven and staying on track. They were two sides of a coin and a perfect match. Both fearful but for completely different reasons. 

"Yeah, I don't think she is talking about it yet but she did inform Tate that she was going to be setting her own schedule after this tour."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she seems to want have some down time."

"Wonder if a certain brooding ass hat had anything to do with that.." She heard him laugh at that making her chuckle as well. 

"Probably.." He says still laughing. "Listen to this."

He puts the phone on speaker and the sound of Cassie singing comes through. Natalia closes her eyes listening to her voice. Her songs having a deeper meaning than her previous work. She really put her heart in soul in this album. 

https://youtu.be/e3lCzEOy5xs

Natalia found herself bobbing along to the song enjoy the country twang to it. Cassie had really left most of her pop roots and has taken to country. After the song ended she 'whoo' really low making many laughs resonate through the phone. 

"THAT'S MY GIRL! LOVE YOU CASS!"

A particular laugh was heard followed by a voice she knew well. "Love you more Nat"

The phone went off of speaker and Jackson said he had to let her go but he would call later. She hung up leaning back into her chair closing her eyes realizing how much her life has changed in the last year and how much she loved every minute of it.