Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78576 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“Does that mean we can go?” Dale asks.
“Yes, son. You all can go.”
As we all rise, one by one, we give Uncle Joe hugs and wish him well. It makes him uncomfortable, I can tell, but he puts up with it because we’re family.
He’s been our patriarch since we all came into this world.
And all recent things considered, I’m not sure we can survive without him.
Chapter Sixteen
Maddie
I spend the morning helping my mother around the house.
“It is nice to have you home, Madeline,” she says. “I missed you.”
“I would’ve been in college anyway,” I say.
“I know that.” She draws me in to squeeze me. “You’re my baby. My last little one. We’re truly empty nesters now.”
“I suppose you’ll have grandchildren soon,” I say.
She furrows her brow a bit.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your brother and Brianna Steel,” she says. “I didn’t see that coming, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.”
I blink. That’s strange. She was ecstatic when Callie and Rory snagged Steels. “Then how would you feel about me with Dave Simpson?”
She widens her eyes, and I recognize the look—the ecstatic one.
“There’s nothing,” I say quickly. I don’t want to get her hopes up. “I mean, we’re kind of seeing each other. It happened while we were overseas.”
Mom frowns. “I didn’t even know Dave was there.”
“Yeah, he showed up a couple of days into the tour.” I bite my lip. “But now something’s happening that they all had to come home for, so my vacation got cut short.”
“I suppose you could have stayed.”
“I could have, and I thought about it, but Jesse and Rory are so busy with the band, and there wouldn’t be anyone for me to see the sights with.”
“See, that’s just it.” Mom opens a drawer, takes out a rag, and starts wiping the counter somewhat aggressively. “Brianna Steel made a promise to you, and she reneged.”
Ah…so it’s Brianna specifically she has a problem with. I place my hand on her arm. “Mom, this is a big family deal for the Steels.”
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Dave didn’t know. No one knew. They were just told it was a big deal that they couldn’t talk about on the phone and they had to come home.”
Mom returns her focus to the counter. “Tell me more about Brianna Steel.”
“You know all about her.”
She looks up, her eyes pained. “Madeline, I only know I’ve seen you cry your eyes out over her and the other three.”
I cross my arms. “Yes, I always felt kind of left out, but they’re family, Mom. And I suppose now Brianna will be part of our family.”
She drops the rag, her eyes wide. “What?”
“Oh crap, Jesse didn’t tell you?”
“Apparently not.”
“He and Brianna are engaged.”
She bends down and grabs the rag, returning to the counter. “So I’m losing three of my children to that family.”
I shake my head. “Wait. You were thrilled about Callie and Rory.”
“Donny and Brock seem to truly love your sisters. But Brianna…”
“She loves Jesse, Mom. Believe me, I had my doubts at first too, but they’re the real thing.”
“She’s so young.”
“She’s my age. And it’s really no different from Callie and Rory marrying into the Steel family. It’s a great opportunity for Jesse as well. Three of your children are going to be rich beyond your wildest dreams.”
“Yes, I suppose so.” She sighs. “You know your father doesn’t like taking Steel money.”
“He’s not taking Steel money. Your children are marrying into it, and all three of them are head-over-heels in love. True love, Mom. This isn’t a business deal. When you see Jesse and Bree together, you’ll understand.”
“I won’t get that chance until Jesse and Rory return from the tour.”
“No, you won’t, but trust me on this.” I force Mom’s arm from the counter and give her a hug. “Like I said, I had doubts too, but they’re so in love. I’ve never seen Jesse like this.”
“Well,” she says, “at least I still have my Maddie.” She squeezes me in our embrace.
And again, I’m the odd one out.
I love my mother, but what I wouldn’t give to be marrying a Steel as well.
A few hours later, after Mom and I have a quick lunch, and Dad has assured me he doesn’t need my help with anything on the ranch, I retire to my room, grab my laptop, and check my email.
My phone rings. My heart flips when I see Dave’s name on the screen.
I force my voice a little lower than natural. I don’t want to sound like a giddy college girl.
“Hi, Dave.”
“Hey.” His voice is oddly steady.
“You okay?”
He pauses. “Not even close. Can you come over to my place?”
I check the time on my phone. It’s not too late. “I suppose I can. Do you still live in the guesthouse behind your parents’ house?”
“Yeah. How far away are you?”
“It’ll take me about half an hour, but…” I slap my palm to my forehead. “Shit. I don’t have a car, Dave.”