Wilder Ranch

new people and watching their reaction to our home. It was ev

a lot of pain and had barely gone from the trailer to the stall in the stable. S

amily lived in pleased me. Seeing her joy at my house with

he full tour. But for now, all she’d get to see was my house,

n we pulled up. As we got close, it automatically opened

son who is authorized by you or your foreman will have a sensor in

n app we put on the monitoring computer and we can put one on your smartphone as we

rfe

ed a version of Blackguard’s personal security AI on the control system for you. It’s programmable if you want to change its name or voice. Spidey used the same one we use at the office. We call her ‘

m, but I told him he cheated. He has an x-ray a

r grid around the external fence all the way around the ranch boundaries. Your brother Gray told him that buffalo can leap as high as five feet, so Spidey set it to only pick up if a fence bre

very imp

our house undetected. Friday lit up the night when he tried. I think it ticked him off. He kept saying something about getting rusty. We tried to explain that

oduce dad and Gray to Jaelyn, but I figured the ride from town had worn on her, so I wanted her to rest

bent down and scooped her up into my arms newlywed-style and her good arm wrapped around my neck. Her head settl

vehicle, and I knew they were coming in with us. What I really wanted was to be alone with my girl, but I knew they wanted to get to know her better. Now that we were home, I was going to have to share

. She’s

nd I really want to get to know you, but I have a client coming about training his newest cutt

hat sounds good. I want

“Welcome home Commander Wilder.” Came a voice from a speaker beside the front

at how you want me to ad

is fine. T

upants, Ace. Greetings, Miss Bench. I’m Friday,

need to be forma

eeting with those living in the house, i

d you change it, or

This is the default voice and name programed by my creator Peter Parker for

the voice speaking changed to a perfect rendition of Paul Bettany, the actor who voi

that voice and change your desi

will inform my creator of the ch

id you open th

and Jaelyn are the only people I may allow unrestricted access. I have a list of your family and their images, but I am only author

Not at this time. Please announce any visitors and receive permission before granting them access. B

our smart TV, allowing you to make changes by voice command without the remote. He also installed an electronically controlled lock and a remote opening and close arm at the top of the door. This was so that I

ood. He had no way to ask me if he could make said ch

ourse

. Do you want the house tour, or should I just take you to

that time at the hospital with me. Why don’t I take a pill and your sister

ing her head. “Second question. Do you want your own ro

t sleep alone, Ace. You saw what happened.

o give you the option of your own space. I know Edward controlled you for fou

d to her; she thrust hers inside my mouth and stroked every surface she could. It was like she was trying to devour the statement I just made. When she pulled away, we both were breathless, and

st me

thing you do is to protect me, to help me heal. Everything he did was to tear me down and destroy me. From the moment I woke in that hospital bed and even before, you have b

ard my sister Skylar pret

should ge

ine and rest, and I need to check in with the rest of my crew and see how

r a few days and I’ve completed everything he asked me to do.

er bedroom. I’m sure mom’s already p

you wrapped around her like her own personal human blanket, we knew you’d give her the best room and sle

t I promised Linda yesterday. “Look, are

“I have no plan

and Vince can Facetime in too. I need to say some things and don’t wan

I know his rodeo is tomorrow and Sund

o tell her later. I hate having to talk about this at all

n her face. “You’re worrying me,

t it is serious. Not end of life