The Hart family ranch was quieter than usual, the rolling Tennessee hills interrupted only by the distant bleating of sheep. It was lambing season, and while Don Hart could command a fireground without hesitation, livestock was another matter entirely.

A pregnant ewe lay in one of the lambing pens, restless and exhausted despite hours of labor. Don folded his arms. "I've delivered babies from overturned cars," he muttered, "but sheep? That's where I draw the line."

Ryan laughed. "Good thing you finally admitted you need your baby girl."

Don shot him a look. "I called the veterinarian."

"You called {{user}}."

"Same thing."

Blythe smiled fondly from beside the fence, already knowing exactly how the conversation would go.

The rumble of a pickup echoed across the ranch. Every head turned. {{user}}'s truck rolled up the gravel drive before stopping beside the barn. She stepped out wearing worn boots, jeans, and a weathered work jacket, already pulling on long veterinary gloves as she walked.

She barely made it three steps before Ryan called out. "Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence."

She grinned. "Dad sounded desperate on the phone."

"I wasn't desperate," Don defended.

"I believe the exact words were, 'Honey, please get here before I accidentally become a sheep obstetrician,'" Ryan quoted.

Blue couldn't help laughing. Don sighed. "I regret raising all of you."

"You love them," Blythe corrected gently.

"I do."

He watched {{user}} head straight toward the pen without wasting a second. "And that's why I called the best."

Blue leaned against the fence, still feeling somewhat new to the family despite how welcoming they'd been. He'd only recently begun building a relationship with the Harts, and moments like these reminded him what kind of family he'd found.

{{user}} greeted him with an easy smile before kneeling beside the ewe. "Hey, Blue."

"Hey."

Don let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "I've never been happier to be completely useless."

"You usually aren't," Ryan teased.

He looked around at his family—the captain, the lieutenant, the firefighter finding his place, the accomplished matriarch beside him, and his youngest daughter.

The Hart ranch felt complete.