“I don’t know about that.”
“Did you have fun? You hit a lot of targets.” His face was flushed.
I didn’t hit nearly as many as he did. I thought I saw him miss one. Must be that natural athletic ability, and the fact that he had a private skeet range.
“Surprisingly, I did like it.”
At first, I was scared when he placed the shotgun in my hands. But he had been patient and guided me through how to line up my shot and pull on the trigger, making sure the timing was perfect. The kickback wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it’d be. I expected to fall on my ass the first time I released the trigger, but it only dug into my shoulder and I was able to keep my balance.
I removed the eye shield from my face and gave it to the man who had been helping us all morning.
Ben must have every kind of guy toy on the planet. The skeet range was set up like a professional course. We had taken the four-wheeler to get there. He also mentioned he had a cabin he used for hunting, and there was the stock pond and fire pit. I couldn’t think of a single thing that was missing.
He looked at his watch. “We better head back and get cleaned up before the girls get here.”
I shot him a look of panic. I had actually forgotten. The focus and concentration it took to hit the clay discs had been enough to distract me.
“Right. We need to do that.”
He laced his fingers through mine. “You’re going to do great. They’ll love you. I promise. Now hop on.” He patted the back of the ATV.
I climbed behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. We sped off through the fields.
***
I looked at my reflection again. Maybe I shouldn’t have cut my hair. Mothers liked long hair. I pulled on the ends as if I could force an extra inch or two out of them. Ben acted as if this was the most natural thing in the world, but he wasn’t the one meeting the family. He had already met mine, and in a more unconventional way than this. He didn’t need to impress them. He was already an employee at the family business.
“Darlin’, you ready?” He waited for me at the bedroom door. “They’re at the gate. Valerie just texted.”
I checked my teeth once more for lip gloss and made sure my shirt was wrinkle-free. It was a pale blue. Ben said it made my blue eyes brighter. “I think so.”
I turned off the bathroom light and met him at the door.
He grinned. “Just remember, if I love you, they’ll love you. It’s part of the deal.” He took my hand in his. “I’ve got you.”
Looking in his eyes, I knew that was true. He wouldn’t let me stumble. He would be there loving me through every awkward moment of the night.
I locked my fingers over his, soaking in the warmth and strength from his grasp. “You know I love you too, right?”
“Darlin’, I know.” He paused before the banister post and slid his free hand to my neck. He bowed toward me, brushing his lips against mine. He pulled back and smiled.
I giggled.
“What’s funny?”
“What does your mother think about you wearing lip gloss?”
He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. “See, you’re already causing trouble.” He winked. “Come on.” He turned and we descended the stairs.
Nan met us at the bottom of the steps.
“Sir, your mother and sister are here. They are waiting in the living room. Lenny and I have prepared some hors d ‘oeuvres, and he’s bringing cocktails out now.”
“Great, thanks, Nan. Sounds good.”
I thought Nan glanced over my outfit with a disapproving eye. These were my best dark jeans and Ben loved this top on me. I ignored her and focused on the energy I felt from Ben’s grip. Nan could keep her cranky mood to herself.
“Mama.” He crossed the room and hugged his mother.
“Hey, darlin’.” She smiled. She pecked him on the cheek when he leaned down.
“Hey, Val.” He pulled his sister in a tight squeeze. He towered over both of them. “Y’all, this is Chelsea.” He stretched an open arm in my direction, and I walked toward the most important women in Ben’s life.
I extended my hand.
“Oh no, we don’t shake hands in this family.” Ben’s mother laughed. She wrapped her arms around my back. “We’re huggers all around.”
“That’s right.” Valerie squeezed me next.
I noticed the family resemblance right away. Valerie had dark blond hair, grayish eyes, and white teeth. She and her brother could probably pull off a twins story.
“Mrs. Baldwin, Valerie, I’m so excited to meet you.” I stood, hoping for some sort of sign that I had passed the first test. The hugs were a good start.
“Chelsea, just call me Patty, or even Pat. Ok? Mrs. Baldwin sounds too stuffy.”
I nodded. “Ok, I can do that.”
Lenny walked into the room with a tray of food. He had pulled out all the stops for the Baldwin women. He was probably just happy to cook for someone else other than me. That had to get old after a while.
“Look here.” Ben made room on the table for the spread. “This looks great, man.” He slapped Lenny on the back after he released the tray.
“Thank you. I’m bringing a few pitchers in next.” He walked out of the room toward the kitchen.
Valerie was the first one to dive in. “I love coming here. You have the best food.” She smiled. “It would be more impressive if you cooked it yourself.” She laughed.
“Very funny.” He stood next to her to scoop up a plate of gooey nachos. Lenny had a secret recipe he guarded closely that made them taste out of this world. “At least there’s food.”
Patty tapped the couch. “All right, Chelsea, come sit down. We want to hear all about you.”
I darted my eyes to Ben. Was this going to be a painful inquisition? I didn’t have anything rehearsed.
Lenny returned with a pitcher of margaritas and one full of red sangria. “Let me know if you need anything else. I’ll be in the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Lenny,” Patty called after him. “Good to see you again.”
I took the glass of sangria Ben handed me, watching the orange slices float on top. I nestled into the pillows next to Patty. Ben poured more drinks and passed them around.
“Well, I don’t know what to say. What has Ben said?”
Patty laughed. “Not a whole lot. He’s kind of private this one.” She eyed her son across the room.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Valerie sipped her margarita. “How long do you think you’ll be in Austin?”
I turned toward her. “As long as they keep wanting me to write songs. I’m working on an album right now.”
Ben piped in. “She’s being kind of modest. She’s working with Quinn Jansen on a new album and wait ‘til you hear what it sounds like.” He beamed at me across the room.
Valerie’s eyes widened. “Quinn Jansen? I love her.” She turned toward her brother. “Aren’t you two friends?”
“Yeah, we used to hang out.”
I felt a prickly sensation crawl across the back of my neck. I still hadn’t untangled the extent of Ben’s relationship with Quinn. It was a question I kept postponing.
“Thought so. Maybe someday you’ll introduce us to all your famous friends.” Valerie smiled and turned toward me. “We never get to meet anybody. What’s the point of having a famous brother if you don’t meet any celebs?”
I shrugged. I took it as a good sign the family hadn’t met Quinn.
Valerie continued. “I think that’s so cool you’re a songwriter. I used to want to be a writer, but I’m doing something completely different now.”
“Ben told me you run the Baldwin Foundation. That must be a lot of work.”
“More than I planned on, but it’s taken on a life of its own.” She licked the salt rim on her glass. “I have to head to Austin before dinner and meet with one of our donors.”
Ben sat up across from us. “Something wrong? Anything I need to know ab
out?”
Valerie rolled her eyes. “No, I have it handled. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it.”
I had to stop herself from giggling. Valerie was definitely the older sibling. Watching the two of them interact made me a little sad I didn’t have anyone like that in my life. Right now would be the perfect time to share the burden and pain of what was happening back home. A sister would have been nice, but watching them, I realized how much fun a brother could be too.
Patty interrupted the sibling squabble. “And what about your parents, Chelsea? What do they do?”
I dropped my eyes to my lap. This was the first time anyone had asked about my parents since the separation. I wasn’t sure how to address them anymore. “They— Um, my dad owns a store in the village.” I thought about how to describe my mother.
Ben leaned closer. “Actually, Mama, that’s how we met.”
“Oh, really?” Patty looked interested. She was getting first-time details.
“Sure is.” Ben smiled. “I took a job at her father’s store, and Chelsea was working there this summer before she got the writing contract.”
I exhaled. He said he would be there for me. He had me. I knew he did.
“That’s a sweet story.” Patty nodded. “Remember when you used to bag groceries in high school?” She laughed.
“Sure do. I think it was the part of my resume that got me the job.’” He winked at me.
“Wait, you bagged groceries again?” Valerie’s eyes widened.
I giggled. “He did a lot more than that. He ran the kayak stand, stocked beer, and swept the floors.”
“Swept? You are not talking about my brother. I didn’t know movie stars could operate brooms.”
“Funny. Funny. Val, what time’s your meeting? Want me to have Bud drive you?” Ben offered.
She looked at her phone. “I guess I do need to get going. Sure, if Bud wants to take me, that would be great. Then I don’t have to try and park. Mama, you ready?”
Patty took an extra sip of her drink and placed it on a coaster. She turned to me. “I’m going to do a little shopping while Valerie does her foundation work. You want to go with us? Make it a full girls’ afternoon?”
“Yes!” Valerie shrieked. “Come with us. It will be fun. My meeting won’t be that long. There are the best boutiques downtown!”
“Hold on now.” Ben stood up. “If the three of you go out, you’ll be gone all night.” His face twisted in a scowl.
I stood and wrapped my arms around his waist, trying to send a message with my eyes. This was important. If they were inviting me to do girl stuff, I had to go. “We won’t be that late. What time is dinner?”
He huffed. “Seven o’clock.”
“Then we promise to be back by seven, right?” I swiveled toward my new coconspirators.
“Of course, darlin’,” Patty reassured him. “I’m not about to miss Lenny’s cooking.”
Ben looked at the three of us. “All right. But don’t leave me here eating alone.”
I giggled. “Never.” I reached on my tiptoes and pecked his cheek. “I’m sure you’ve got work or something you can do until we get back.”
Valerie picked up her purse. “He’s got a house full of toys. He’ll be just fine.”
Patty tapped her son on the back as we walked out of the room. “Don’t worry. We’ll be on time.”
“All right. All right. You girls have fun.”
I waved over my shoulder. It wasn’t the Friday we had planned, but I couldn’t turn away from this chance. I still had tonight and two full days with Ben. We could make up for lost time when I returned.
***
It was exactly 6:50 when we returned to the ranch. I carried my new purchases over my shoulder, along with some of Patty’s.
She jokingly offered to check in with Ben and let him know we all made it back before his curfew.
I turned for the stairs. We had barely enough time to dump everything and make it to the table. Bud had driven faster on the return trip, trying to help we make our dinner date.
Valerie was right on my heels.
“Do you think Ben will be mad?” I asked.
She laughed. “Who cares? We got the cutest clothes. And technically we made it back before seven.”
“True.” I stopped at the top landing. “Thanks again for my birthday scarf. I love it.” I couldn’t believe Valerie had picked something out for me. We had only met this afternoon.
“I had to get you a birthday present for making my brother so happy.”
The comment made me blush. “I’ll put these in your mom’s room, drop my bags off, and I’ll see you downstairs.”
“Ok, see you in ten.” Valerie rushed down the hall.
I smiled. The shopping trip had been an absolute success. The three of us got along as if we had known each for years, not hours. I could see where Ben got his good-natured personality. Patty was laid back and sweet. Valerie was like the older sister I never had.
I raced to the first guest room and laid the dress Patty had purchased on the bed. I tossed my bags in the back of my closet next to Ben’s side. I could unfold and hang them up tonight. I ran my hands through her hair. Talk about cutting it close. I jogged down the stairs, ready for a night with the man I loved and his family.
***
The next morning, Ben placed his hands on my shoulders as we watched Valerie and Patty pull out of the ranch driveway.
“I’m kind of sad they’re leaving so soon,” I murmured.
“I think they are too.” He waved at his mom and sister. “Quick trip.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet your dad.”
“Maybe another time.” He turned for the front door.
He still wasn’t budging on the topic. Joe Baldwin was off limits.
“You think we could go to Shiner sometime?” Patty had said we could visit anytime.
“Of course.” He held the door open for me. “But today is all about the birthday girl.” He grinned. “No more family talk, ok?”
“Yes, sir.” I saluted.
“Wait until you see what I have planned for you.” He took me in his arms and pressed my back against the wall.
“Ben,” I squealed.
He kissed my neck. “What? We’re mostly alone.”
My lips met his and I kissed him in the ranch foyer, not caring who ran into us. After all, it was my birthday.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ben
“Where are we going?” Chelsea tried to peek under the blindfold I had tied against the back of her head.
“Now, if I tell you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?” I laughed. “Just hold on, girl. I don’t want you falling out here.”
“Can I at least get a hint? A tiny hint?” Her chin rested on my shoulder, and I loved how it felt when her arms locked around my waist like this. I could drive us all over the ranch for the night, just to stay like this.
“No way. But we’re almost there.” I slowed the four-wheeler as we sped through the covered brush. I didn’t need one of the sticker bushes scratching her.
I realized she probably had some idea where I was taking her, but she would be completely surprised when we got there. I had been planning this for weeks. Luckily, I was able to pull it off this weekend. As far as I knew, she didn’t have any idea this was going on right under her nose.
I parked the vehicle on the side and climbed off, careful to help Chelsea so she didn’t trip on her dismount.
“Ok, you ready?” I asked.
“I think so. This is crazy, Ben.”
“No, it’s called a birthday surprise.” I reached around her and loosened the satin blindfold. “What do you think?” I pulled it from her eyes and waited for her reaction.
“Oh my God.” Her eyes lit with wonder. “Where? How?” She stepped forward. “This is for me? How did you do all this?”
I nodded. “Yep. It’s my best version of a Brees Island birthday.” I grinned, loving every sliv
er of her response. “But I figured it’s about time you experienced a night under the Texas stars too.” I shoved my hands in my pockets and rocked back on my heels.
She looked at the lights that were strung from a pole to the silver Air Stream camper. “I can’t believe how much it looks like Silver Sand Dollar.”
“Check out the inside.” I walked past her and opened the door. Automatically, I tugged twice on the handle, but this wasn’t the Sand Dollar. She opened easily like a brand-new model.
I walked inside. “Red and white?” She laughed. “Flora would be proud of you.”
It wasn’t easy to find all of the exact accessories that Flora had used, but after a phone call to my summer landlord, I had a better roadmap of where to purchase everything. I hired a designer to put it all together and gave her an unlimited budget. This was worth every expense.
Chelsea walked to the back of the trailer. “There’s even a checked comforter. This couldn’t have been easy to find.”
“It’s completely authentic.” I laughed. I loved the smile that was on her face.
“And let me guess what we’re having for dinner?” She turned toward me, twisting her bottom lip. “Cowboy steak?”
“Baby, am I that transparent?”
“No way. I’d never say that.” Her palms flattened against my chest and inched toward my shoulders.
“Then what are you saying?” I nipped at her bottom lip.
“Just that this is the most incredible birthday I’ve ever had. I love it.”
“We’re just getting started.” I kissed her mouth, pulling her toward me. “But—” I eyed her. “I do think we should get started on these steaks.” I edged past her to retrieve the steaks from the half-fridge. “That fire out there won’t burn all night.”
“Then we better get going.” She followed me to the campfire burning near the pond. The orange glow reflected off the water.
I stoked the fire with a long branch. “Remember how to do this?”
“Of course.” She grabbed one of the steaks off the platter and tossed it in the flames.
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