by Liz Isaacson
She shook her head, her eyes glittering at him. “No way. You go take the notes.”
“I have to call my brother.” Skyler was the master at finding excuses, and he tapped Liam’s name in the family text string, which was still going strong, and then the phone icon to call him.
“Skyler,” Liam said, his voice full of warmth.
“Hey, bro,” he said. “Congratulations on the new baby.”
Mal dissolved into giggles again, and Skyler couldn’t help grinning. “I know Callie said no visitors, but it would just be me, and I’m not loud.” Not like the other brothers, he wanted to say. But honestly, when the seven of them got together in the same room, Skyler could be just as loud and just as obnoxious. It was almost like a different version of himself emerged around the men he’d grown up with, and he had no control over that side.
“Sure,” he said. “How do you feel about bringing us lunch? What’s your class schedule like?”
“I can do that,” Skyler said, because he didn’t need to go to his auditing class. If there was anything more boring than business finance, it was auditing. “Tell me what you want, and when to bring it, and I’ll be there.”
He looked at Mal and caught her watching him. He smiled, and she returned the gesture. Nothing romantic had ever sparked between them before, and he’d seen her wearing super-tight clothing as she contorted her body during yoga classes. So what had changed?
“I want that roast beef sandwich from that place you took me to last time I was here,” Liam said. “And all the salt and vinegar chips I can get.”
Skyler chuckled. “Papa Henry’s,” he said. “Hot or cold?”
“Hot, of course,” Liam said as if eating a cold sandwich was ridiculous. And actually, in Skyler’s opinion—and Liam’s too, apparently—it was.
“And for Callie?”
“She wants the BLT,” Liam said. “With a side salad. Ranch dressing.”
“I’ll get it and bring it over around noon?”
“Thank you, Skyler,” Liam said, and he truly sounded grateful. Skyler knew it wasn’t an act, and his heart shriveled a little more when he remembered how annoyed he’d been at the family texts.
“See you then,” he said, hanging up quickly, before his emotions could overwhelm him too much. Plus, he had an audience.
He looked back at Mal, wondering if maybe he’d just had a moment of weakness with her. “I’m taking them lunch. You wanna play hooky with me and go see my brother, his wife, and their new baby?”
“Oh, playing hooky is what I do best,” she said, lifting her backpack to her shoulder. “But I have to get rid of some of this stuff if we’re going to the hospital. Drive me home?”
He’d taken her home several times after her evening yoga classes, as she had an unreliable car. “Let’s go, Miss Mallery.” He grinned, because he knew she hated her full name. He’d teased her in a heavy Texan accent, because he knew it would cover up anything else that had happened between them.
And Skyler needed there to be nothing between them, because he absolutely wasn’t going to get seriously involved with anyone while in Amarillo.
Ever, he told himself, glad when everything went back to light-hearted and easy between him and Mal as they walked out to the parking lot.
Chapter Ten
Rhett held his son on his lap as he waited for the rest of the family to arrive at Seven Sons. Jeremiah was already here, of course, as he’d been laboring in the kitchen for a couple of hours now. He whistled while he kneaded dough, and out-right sang as he formed meatballs and slid them into the oven.
His wife, Whitney, appeared from the hallway that led down to the bedrooms, and she smiled at Rhett as she joined him in the living room. “Can I hold him?”
“Sure thing.” Rhett passed Conrad to Whitney, who gave the baby a kiss on his cheek before settling him onto her lap. Conrad was used to being passed around, and he continued to babble as he clutched the teething ring Evelyn had bought for him.
Rhett had taken it out of the freezer just before bringing the boy to the ranch, and Conrad loved the thing.
“Where’s Evelyn?” Whitney asked.
“She’s next door,” Rhett said. “Helping Callie get the kids ready.”
Callie and Liam had returned from the hospital that day, but Rhett hadn’t seen them yet. Simone and Evelyn had been at their family ranch for an hour or two, and everyone was gathering at Seven Sons for dinner.
As if on cue, the back door opened, and Wyatt and Micah came inside, talking. They washed their hands while Micah laughed at something, and they stayed in the kitchen, giving some kind of report to Jeremiah.
Rhett was content to sit in the background and watch. He hadn’t known when he’d first bought the ranch that it would become a beacon of light for their family. He’d known it was the right thing to do, but he could not have predicted the events of the past four years.
The front door opened, and eight-year-old Oliver called, “Jeremiah?” He came running down the hall from the door, and Jeremiah went to greet him. Rhett marveled in the change in his younger brother, because when Jeremiah had come to Three Rivers, he’d been filled with resentment and anger.
Rhett knew most of that had been directed inwardly, but at least some of it had projected onto God.
He’d prayed for his brother for a solid year, and he was so happy Jeremiah had found happiness with Whitney.
Jeremiah scooped Oliver into his arms with a smile and a laugh. Before Rhett could eavesdrop further on them, Liam said, “We’re here,” and chaos broke out.
Rhett was on his feet faster than lightning, and he paused next to Whitney. “You okay with him?”
“Yes, go,” she said, and Rhett did. He hugged Tripp and Ivory first, welcoming them to the ranch. Then he took Denise from Liam and hugged him with the little girl balanced on his hip.
Callie carried the baby, and her sisters had rallied behind her. They all seemed to be glowing, and Rhett hardly recognized the Foster sisters. They’d come so far since that first time he’d met them in the cellar beneath the house, a tornado raging around them.
He’d always known of their strength, and wow, they all possessed an iron will. Evelyn hadn’t been an easy one to convince that she needed Rhett in her life, and Callie had resisted Liam just as much.
Rhett gazed down at the beautiful little girl in Callie’s arms, and he couldn’t believe he’d once had a human that tiny to take care of.
He glanced up, his eyes immediately going to Micah, who stood back by the island, his eyes glued to Simone. Rhett knew there was something going on there, but from the storm on his youngest brother’s face, it wasn’t something good.
“We have a quick announcement,” Liam said, and everyone quieted. “First, we want to say thank you to everyone for the prayers, and a special thanks to Jeremiah for cooking for us tonight.”
Everyone clapped, and Jeremiah simply ducked his head.
“Skyler said he wishes he could be here with us,” Liam said, but Rhett wondered if that was true. He hadn’t texted that particular brother in a while, and Rhett could feel him slipping further and further away. But he didn’t know how to reel him back in.
He couldn’t imagine not being at this ranch for this celebration. It was exactly where he should be, and where he wanted to be, and he wanted every one of the brothers, their wives, their parents, everyone, with him.
That was heaven to Rhett, and he hoped he’d get to see all of these people there too.
“And last,” he said, glancing at Callie and their new baby Ginger. “Ginger was born with some addiction, though it is slight. She’s going through a detoxification process, and we have to monitor her heavily for the first several months. She’s a little fussy because of it, and we’re getting the help we need.”
He looked so calm, but Rhett could feel the emotion pouring off of Liam. He grabbed him in a hug, and Liam held him tight. “Love you, brother,” Rhett said. “I can help. I’m not doing anything rig
ht now.”
“I might need you,” Liam said.
He worked as an animator, and he’d taken on a four-year project with one of the biggest superhero franchises in the world. And he’d gotten two children in the span of a few months. Rhett couldn’t even imagine how much Liam and Callie must be reeling.
More hugs were given out, and Evelyn took Conrad from Whitney and put him in a highchair. He’d gotten a headstart on dinner by the time Jeremiah said, “Okay, we’re ready to eat?”
Rhett jostled for a seat close to Conrad, and he watched Micah try to sit next to Simone. She’d actually sat down, and she jumped back to her feet. “Let me help with Denise,” she said to Callie, and she picked up the little girl and put her in another highchair.
Micah clenched his teeth and kept his eyes on Simone. When he finally turned away, he wore a look of disappointment and resignation.
Everyone was talking and chattering, and finally Jeremiah said, “Rhett. Call on someone to say the prayer, would you?”
“Oh, right.” He’d forgotten that as the oldest brother, he usually did that. “Tripp, would you?”
“Of course.” Hats were swiped off heads, and Tripp closed his eyes. Rhett didn’t though. He looked around at all these people he loved as Tripp said, “Thank you, Lord, for the blessings we enjoy. Thank you for family. For a good reason to get together to celebrate the birth of this precious baby. Bless Ginger that she will heal quickly, and that Callie and Liam will know exactly what to do for her. We pray for Thy hand in our lives, always, guiding us and helping us. Amen.”
“Amen,” filled the homestead, and Rhett lifted up his voice in praise to God too.
“And bless the food,” Jeremiah said. “It’s barbecue meatball pockets. Come get it.”
Rhett made sure he stood next to Micah in line, asking quietly, “What’s with you and Simone?”
“Nothing there,” Micah practically barked.
“No?”
“She’s made that clear,” he said, putting three meatball pockets on his plate and moving down to the salad.
“Maybe—”
“No,” Micah said. “In fact, she’s dating someone else. End of story.”
“Oh, okay,” Rhett said, though he had not heard that Simone was dating someone else. He’d have to ask Evelyn about that. “You want to go riding tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” Micah said. “Jeremiah has his ranch owner’s meeting in the morning, so anytime works.”
Rhett didn’t care if Jeremiah didn’t like what time he showed up to ride his horse. But he just said, “I’ll come over in the morning then,” and left it at that.
“Uh, guys?” someone said, and Rhett looked over to find Wyatt trying to get everyone’s attention. The chaos calmed slightly, and he added, “I should’ve done this before we started getting food, but I have an announcement. A couple of them actually.”
He held up his phone, and Rhett’s curiosity shot through the sky.
“Momma’s on speaker, and I just told her Liam and Callie were home with their kids. Tell ‘em, Momma.”
“Hello, boys,” she said, and Rhett smiled at the sweet sound of his mother’s voice. He missed her with a fierceness only the heat of the sun could rival, and he hoped the announcement she was about to make would be the one they’d been discussing for the past few days.
“And wives, and now new grandbabies.” Her voice choked for a moment. “Daddy and I are moving to Three Rivers,” she finally said.
A roar went up, and smiles exploded onto every face. Rhett knew then just how much his parents were loved, and he couldn’t wait for his father and mother to be more involved in Conrad’s life. And honestly, Evelyn would love to have them close by too, as she’d lost her mother at a very early age.
Once that started dying down, every eye trained on Wyatt again. Finally Micah asked, “What’s the second announcement, Wyatt?”
“Yeah,” Jeremiah said. “Spit it out. We’re starving.”
Wyatt looked at the phone. “You still there, Momma?”
“Right here, sugar.”
He looked out at the mass of people, and Rhett knew what it was like to talk to all of them. He loved them, but there were some strong opinions among the Walkers, that was for certain.
“I’m engaged,” he said. “To Marcy Payne. We’re getting married next month.”
A beat of silence passed, then two. Rhett didn’t know what to say or do. Of course, he knew Wyatt had liked Marcy for a while now. But marriage?
On the third beat of silence, a general roar went up, with questions flying from one side of the kitchen to the other, congratulations being said, and some people laughing.
Wyatt wore his fake, rodeo smile, and Rhett suspected something was off. This was Wyatt, the man who’d ridden the fiercest horses bareback, and calmed the toughest bulls for eight long seconds.
So why was he treating the family like they were reporters?
He picked up another meatball pocket and bit into it, the sweet and tangy barbecue sauce the perfect pairing with the savory and salty meatball, and the perfectly browned bread with garlic butter brushed on the outside.
Wyatt answered all the questions with the smooth demeanor of someone who’d been behind a microphone before. Who’d performed for a crowd, who’d made complete strangers fall in love with him.
Rhett stepped to his side and said, “Congratulations, Wyatt.”
“Thanks, Rhett.” Wyatt beamed at him, but Rhett saw something in the depth of those eyes that couldn’t lie.
“Stop by for breakfast tomorrow?” he asked, expecting Wyatt to decline. He had a job a long drive from the ranch, and he’d literally never stopped at Rhett’s for breakfast before.
But tonight, he said, “Sure thing.”
“Great,” Rhett said. “We need to talk.”
Chapter Eleven
Marcy sat at her father’s dining room table, an assortment of papers spread in front of her. Thankfully, they weren’t anything to do with the will, or the ridiculous stipulations of her inheritance of Payne’s Pest-free.
No, these were checklists and to-do lists for her wedding. Her wedding with Wyatt.
Marcy waited for the familiar nerves and slip of guilt to accompany her at the table, but they didn’t come. She paused, wondering what that meant.
She’d been kissing him hello and good-bye for a week now, and she expected him to show up at the house any minute now.
His parents were coming to Three Rivers in three weeks, and they’d be married in four.
Married in a month.
Marcy’s vision blurred as she looked at the lists in front of her. Wyatt had said he’d book the venue, but he hadn’t confirmed anything quite yet. Marcy had ordered the flowers—check. She’d asked Alyssa to make her a cake—check. She and Wyatt had agreed to forgo announcements, so there were no pictures to take. Whitney, Jeremiah’s wife, had agreed to take the photos on their wedding day—check.
They’d be living in this house until it was cleaned up and ready to put on the market, and Marcy should probably at least try to go through one closet today. That was her deal with herself. Keep up with Payne’s. Get all the fields dusted she’d committed to. Keep up with the paperwork and the emails and the phone calls.
Then, at night, she’d get to see Wyatt, and they’d do at least one task around her father’s house.
She looked up, the house suddenly so empty. A chill ran through her so strongly that she looked around for an open window. There was none. The house where her parents had lived for over fifty years was just empty now that they were gone. Hollow.
She got up and started brewing a pot of coffee in the kitchen. She and Wyatt had gone through the kitchen cupboards, drawers, and pantry. She didn’t keep hardly anything to eat here at all, but there was coffee and cream and sugar. Wyatt brought food with him every night, and Marcy ate breakfast and lunch from her own house.
A few dishes, cups, and utensils remained, but the majority of the items had b
een boxed up and put in the garage. She and Wyatt would take them to the Salvation Army tomorrow morning, though Alyssa and Savannah had mentioned having a massive estate sale.
That sounded like so much work to Marcy, and when neither of them had brought it up again, she’d let it go too. It was easier to donate the items than try to price them and then watch neighbors and friends buy them.
She faced the living room, with all the books and movies and family pictures. She’d just stepped over to the mantel where her father kept dozens of pictures of her and Bryan, as well as their mother.
She saw their family pictures, taken every October, as Marcy’s mom had loved the fall leaves, and there was a very narrow window to them in Texas. She remembered the trip to San Antonio, the vacation to Chicago, one to Washington D.C., and one to Florida. Mom had wanted to go to Hawaii, but she’d never made it there.
Florida was warm and humid, and she’d been like a kid in a candy shop on the white-sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
Tears slipped down her face, but they weren’t uncontrollable or even borne from sadness. They were simply her body’s response to happy times, and she lovingly touched the top of one picture frame that held their last family picture before her mother had died.
“Marce?” Wyatt asked as he came through the front door. He brought the scent of freshly baked bread with him, and she wiped her face quickly, sniffled, and turned to face him.
“Hey, here comes the king,” she said, smiling at him.
He paused, a smile on his face, but not the one that carried its normal wattage. “Okay, never say that again.” He chuckled as he went into the kitchen.
She laughed as she followed him. “I thought you liked being called the rodeo king.”
“Not by you,” he said simply.
Marcy looked at him, but he focused on pulling out breadsticks and then a plastic container that she hoped contained pasta carbonara. And it totally did, because Wyatt knew what she liked. “Not by me? What does that mean?”