Page 34 of The Brothers at Horseshoe Ranch

“Me too,” Sadie chimed in. “I’m your best friend, so you kind of have to tell me.”

“Best friends don’t have to tell best friends everything.”

“Fine.” Sadie smirked. “I guess I won’t tell you more about my date tomorrow.”

“What do you mean about your date tomorrow? I thought you said someone asked you out. You didn’t say you were actually going on the date.”

“Well, maybe I am. Maybe I’m not.” Sadie looked at her watch. “Oops, is that the time? I’ve got to go. I’ve got a very important phone call later on tonight.” She turned to me and gave me a quick hug. “It was so nice meeting you, Lucy. I hope to see you again.” Then she walked over to Amelia. “A pleasure as always, Amelia.”

“Oh, I love seeing you, Sadie. Give your parents my regards.”

“Will do.” She turned around and stuck her tongue out at Wyatt. “Bye, loser.”

“Whatever, loser. See ya.”

And with that, Sadie left the house.

“I swear, you guys are so immature,” Amelia shook her head. “And that’s no way to be talking to your best friend.”

“What? That’s how we always talk to each other,” Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Anyway, I’m going upstairs. I’ll be in my room.”

“Okay.”

He left the kitchen just as Austin and Beau walked in with Ranger not far behind. “Lovely dinner, Amelia.” Ranger walked over and kissed his wife.

I loved the way that he always found a way to touch her, and she always beamed at him with love and adoration. They were so very much in love. It was very obvious even after being together so long, even after having seven kids.

“So, Beau …” Amelia looked at her eldest son.

“Yes, Mama?”

“I was thinking that maybe you could take Lucy into town to get some ice cream for dessert.”

“Oh.” He looked at me and then he looked at his mom. “I’m not sure that’s going to be possible, actually.”

“That’s fine,” I said quickly, wondering if he just didn’t want to be with me one-on-one.

“Oh no, not anything to do with you, Lucy. Just me and Dad, we had some business to go over tonight that’s important because we’re meeting with the bank tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, yes.” Amelia nodded. “I quite forgot about that. Too bad. It would have been nice for Lucy to taste the local ice cream. It’s freshly made, you know? And they have lots of delicious flavors.”

Austin held his hand up. “I can take her,” he said with a sigh.

“Well, don’t sound so enthusiastic about it,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. And then I changed my tone. “But I mean, if you don’t mind.” I looked over at Amelia who was looking at me with a curious expression on her face. Be cool, Lucy, be cool. You do not want this lovely family to think that you’re a hot mess … which perhaps I was, but they didn’t need to know that about me just yet.

“Oh, well that would be lovely, Austin. Are you sure you don’t mind?” Amelia beamed at her son.

“I don’t mind.” He shrugged. “You ready?” He looked at me.

“Well, I guess. I was going to put some lip gloss—”

“You don’t need to put any lip gloss on,” he cut me off. “Let’s go.”

“Oh, and Lucy?” Ranger said as we were walking out of the kitchen.

“Yes, Mr. Hamilton?”

“Get the lemon chiffon ice cream. It’s absolutely delicious.”

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