Page 68 of Not Our First Rodeo
He nods in understanding.
“So I was thinking maybe we could all go,” I continue. “To the recital. And then I could have a party at the house after, just something small to celebrate.”
A small grin tilts his lips. “Let’s do it.”
It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. “Thanks, Coop.” I unwrap the sandwich in front of me and take a bite. It’s extraordinarily good, and I wish Cheyenne sticks it out at this place so we can have more of them, but I don’t have high hopes.
“Who do you want to come?”
“Just the family, probably. Can you check with Willow and Jesse? I’ll ask Morgan and the Dawsons.”
“Can do.”
My chest rises and falls with a deep breath. “I’m going to ask Elsie’s parents too.”
He makes a face of distaste, and I can’t help but agree.
“I think it would mean a lot to her if they’re there,” I tell him. “But I think I need to have a frank conversation with them first.”
Cooper’s brows lift. I don’t blame him. Confrontation has never been my strong suit. I’m still trying to figure out when to push and when to stay. But I know this is a time I need to put my foot down, make a few things clear.
“I don’t want them coming if they’re not going to be supportive,” I say, pleased that my voice sounds steady, that none of the anger that’s been bubbling inside me since that disastrous meal with them manages to get out. “They need to know that if they’re not going to be positive about this for her, then they shouldn’t be there at all.”
My brother eyes me, and I think I see respect flit across his features. It settles somewhere deep in my chest. “Good, I agree.”
“Elsie would probably kill me if she found out.”
He flashes me a grin. “Makes it more fun that way.”
My truck never looks more decrepit than when I pull it up in front of the Huntzbergers’ house. I didn’t call before heading over here. Partly because I didn’t want to give them time to speculate about why I was coming, but mostly because I didn’t want them to mention it to Elsie. I wasn’t kidding when I told Cooper she wouldn’t be happy with me for talking to them. She would think it makes her look weak, but I’m tired of themmaking herfeelweak, and I’d drive across town any day to tell them that.
Still, my heart races a little as I make my way up to their front door.
Diana answers after one knock, her Botoxed face pulling into its best attempt at surprise. “Beau, we weren’t expecting you.”
I give her a smile. “I know. I was hoping to talk to you and James about something important.”
Alarm fills her eyes. “Is Elsie okay?”
Her concern pricks at me. Despite never learning how her daughter needed to be loved, Dianadoeslove her daughter. I wish she could figure out a better way to express it, that she could accept Elsie the way she is and not wish for her to be more, that she could learn that her daughter is more than enough as is.
Some of the tension leaves my shoulders, and I soften my voice. “Yeah, she’s great. Better than she has been in a long time.”
Diana’s mouth pinches shut, any tenderness leaving her expression, and she nods, opening the door wider. “Yes, of course. Come in.”
I follow her through the house, glad that I changed out of my work boots and into a pair that aren’t crusted with mud and horseshit as we make our way across the white marble, our steps echoing in the silence.
James is seated at the dining room table, a laptop open in front of him, and he looks up when we enter, a smile cresting his face. “Well, this is unexpected,” he says, pushing up from his chair and coming to shake my hand.
His is soft in mine, and smaller. The hand of a man who works at a desk and not on a ranch. The differences between us have never been more stark, and not for the first time, I wonder what Elsie saw in me when she was raised in a place like this.
“Good to see you, James,” I tell him.
“Likewise. What brings you to this side of town?”
Diana is looking between the two of us, and I meet her gaze. “I wanted to speak to you and Diana about something.”
She nods. “So you’ve said. Can I get you a drink?”
