Page 16 of The Wedding Ranch
“Take her out to dinner. Flirt a little. That’ll lift your mood.”
He shook his head. “No. Not happening.”
“It’s been a long time. We’re still young,” Joe said. “You can’t brood forever.”
“Who’s brooding?”
“Even Gladys said you need to—”
Ryder’s mouth dropped open. “Am I suddenly the topic of every conversation around here?”
“Only some of them,” Gladys quipped.
“Nothing sudden about it. It’s been, like, ten years.” Joe leveled his gaze.
Ryder shook his head. “Seven.” The word came out sharper than he’d meant.
Mark put a hand on Ryder’s shoulder. “Take your time, man.”
“It’s time,” Joe barked. “No one is saying you have to remarry, but you need to get out and have some fun.”
“I get out. Look at me.” Ryder lifted his hands. “I’m here. That’s out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. County fair is next weekend,” he said. “I’ll be there bidding on 4-H calves.”
“Good,” said Joe. “I’ll see you there. Don’t run the price up on our calf though. I plan to have him processed for the restaurant.”
“We’ll see about that. I’d consider that fun. You want me to have fun, right?” Ryder laughed. He couldn’t be angry with Joe. He’d known him a long time and he always meant well. “Maybe I’ll buy that calf your kid raised and donate him back to you as payment for the free therapy session, which, by the way, I don’t need.”
“Bring a big checkbook. I’ve been counseling your cranky butt for as long as I’ve known you.”
“I wasn’t always cranky.”
“No. No, you weren’t.” Joe lifted his chin. “You used to be the happiest guy I knew. We all wanted your life. What you and Valerie had together, that’s more than a lot of us will ever have. Be thankful for that.” Joe rested his forearms on the counter. “You’ll never replace that happiness. I get that, but youcanfind joy again. It’ll be different, but it’ll be good. You’ll see. You have to live your life. She’d have wanted that. We all want that for you, man.”
Ryder’s jaw clenched. It never got any easier to hear other people tell him what they thought his wife would’ve wanted for him. What made them think for one second that they knew Valerie better than he did? In this case, Joe was right, but it still irked Ryder. “I hear you. Quit your worrying over me. In fact, I’ve got plans today.”
“Sure you do.”
The chime at the door sounded. From the counter stool Ryder watched his niece and nephew parade in. Twins, even in their twenties they were as in sync as they were as toddlers. “There’s my plans now. See. I’ve got a life.”
“I meant besides family.” Joe looked at Mark and then back to Ryder. “You’re one hardheaded somebody.”
“Sorry we’re late, Uncle Ryder—you’re not going to believe what’s going on.” Reece raced over to him and dropped a kiss on his cheek. She turned to Joe. “Hey, Mr. Joe.”
“The usual for you two?” Joe stood.
Ross grabbed a booth, and Reece followed him. “Perfect.”
“I’ll get that right out.” Joe walked back into the kitchen.
Ryder moved his plate to the table and sat down with the twins. Reece had lightened her hair again. He liked it better when it was its natural color, a soft brown that matched Ross’s.
Ryder braced himself. Whenever these two wanted to meet for a meal they were up to something. Was he really more amicable on a full stomach? It was possible. Not that he’d ever deny them anything. Funny they hadn’t figured that out.
The twins glanced nervously between each other, as if each was hoping for the other to start.
