Chapter 32
Quittin’ Time
Duke
The week Wheeler’s parents are due to visit, I take Thursday and Friday off to prepare.
Even though they’re staying at the New House, I still clean the cottage top to bottom.
I pay a small fortune to have three new rocking chairs and a pair of side tables for the family room rush delivered.
I mow the grass, stock the fridge, mop the floors, and practice making a few recipes from one of Mom’s cookbooks.
I refresh the tape we use to hang Ella’s and Junie’s art on our fridge, including the three pieces we won at the auction.
Wheeler and I figured we’d have her family over to the cottage for dinner the night we tell them about the pregnancy, so I planned a simple but hearty meal: skillet pork chops with shallots, cheesy grits, and roasted brussels sprouts.
Wyatt brings over some wine. Ever since Mollie taught him all about Barolo so he’d sound smart on his first date with Sally, he’s become obnoxiously helpful on that front.
Ava and the girls bake us chocolate chunk cookies for dessert. Patsy drops off some homemade vanilla bean ice cream, along with a note. Good luck! Please remember that firearms are to be used for life-and-death situations only. Don’t pull a John B! Much love, P.
John B and Wyatt had a—well, we’ll call it a “charged moment” when John found out Sally wasn’t going to take some big veterinary job in New York.
He mistakenly thought she wanted to stay in Hartsville because Wyatt was holding her back, when in reality, he was planning to leave his whole life behind and move to New York with her.
A shotgun was involved. So were some choice words about Sally’s decision to forgo the job offer.
Luckily, Sally, Wyatt, and John B were able to quickly work through the misunderstanding, and no one was shot.
Still left us all a little shaken. How could I not be, seeing one of my favorite people in the world pull a gun on my brother?
Ryder, being Ryder, doesn’t bring anything except advice I don’t need.
“They may say you and Wheeler are dead to them, but I doubt they’ll actually mean it.”
I set one of the new rocking chairs in front of the hearth on the porch. I cluck my tongue when I see it’s not the exact same shade of black as the other two I already have. “So helpful. Thanks for nothing.”
“Hey. I’m just trying to lighten the mood a little. You’re clearly nervous.”
“What makes you say that?” I pull the rocking chair an inch to the right. Nope, now it’s too close to the fireplace. I pull it two inches to the left and curse when I see that it’s too far.
Ryder nods in my general direction. “You’re obsessing over stupid shit. Her parents don’t care if your rocking chairs are in a perfect fucking circle. They just want to know that you love their daughter and that you’ll be there for her when this baby comes.”
Straightening, I wince at the soreness in my middle.
All this prep is doing a number on my back.
“What if they’re not? Like, if they’re not there when the baby comes, I mean.
Wheeler’s not super close with her parents or her older brother.
But I know she’ll be crushed if they pretend like none of this is happening and don’t participate in our kid’s life. ”
Ryder pulls off his baseball hat, smoothing back his hair before putting the hat on backward. “Fuck them if that’s what they do.”
“No shit. But that won’t bring Wheeler any comfort.”
“Us being there will.” He hops down the steps to grab another rocking chair. “They ain’t the only family she’s got now. And you bet your bottom dollar all eighty-seven of us Riverses and Powells and Bartletts and Lucks are gonna be in that hospital waiting room.”
I chuckle. “How much you wanna bet Wyatt’ll get kicked out for sneaking in a flask?”
“Not if they don’t kick me out first for the same offense.” He carefully sets down the rocking chair beside the others, stepping back to eyeball it before moving the chair a little ways back.
Ryder may talk a big game about not giving a shit, but deep down, he cares. A lot. That thought makes my heart twist.
“Thank you.” My voice is gruff. “For being with me through all this. Wheeler talks a lot about what a good friend I am, and I think…I know I learned it from you.”
“You getting all sappy and shit on me?” Ryder smiles. “Good.”
“I hate you.”
“That’s not very nice. I love you. Very much. And I can’t wait to love up on your sweet baby.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Why you think you want a girl so bad?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m obsessed with Wheeler, and I can imagine just how fun it would be to have a mini version of her running around.” I look up at the cottage. Then I glance at my truck. “Think I’m gonna need something newer.”
Ryder chuckles softly. “Might be good to have a car with a back seat, for both safety and making out purposes.”
“I’ll call Rod at the dealership.” I pull out my phone to make a note of it. “Sawyer said he gave him a good deal on his Silverado.”
My brother squints up at the sky. “You gonna marry her?”
There’s a squeezing sensation inside my chest. Have I already asked Mollie what kind of ring Wheeler would like?
Maybe. Am I already thinking about dream destinations, places like Paris and Jackson Hole and the British Virgin Islands that would be the perfect place to get down on one knee? Definitely.
But I don’t want to overplay my hand. Wheeler and I just said “I love you” to each other. We’ve been together for practically two minutes. It’s not my intention to rush her or rush into something neither of us is ready for.
Thing is I am ready. Would be even if we weren’t having a baby. I remember Garrett saying something along the lines of “when you know, you know.”
I know I wanna make a life with Wheeler. It’s that simple. Being with her is exciting and easy. All my dreams seem within reach when she’s around. I’d like to think neither of us is settling or playing small by being in a relationship and becoming parents.
Instead, the world feels so much bigger. That’s never happened with anyone else before.
“I ain’t lettin’ her go,” I say.
“That ain’t what I’m asking.”
I eye him. “Ever consider my love life isn’t your business?”
“Everything you do is my business.” He holds my gaze. “You’re my person. Like, literally. We are literally the same person, genetically speaking at least. And I want you to be happy. Maybe then…” His throat works. “I don’t know. Maybe then I got a chance to be happy too.”
Aw, shit, now my throat’s closing in. I hadn’t considered that me pairing off with Wheeler is a big change for Ryder too, especially now that he’s the only one of us who is still single.
We’ve done everything together. Been through everything together.
I wouldn’t say I’m moving on now, but my life is moving forward, and Ryder’s is staying in the same place.
“Your time’ll come.” I put a hand on his shoulder.
He blinks. “I know. Life is fine, don’t get me wrong. Just seeing you and Wheeler…nice to know that kinda connection is possible.”
“I am gonna marry her.”
“I know you are.”
Next thing I know, I’m pulling him in for a hug. The kind where we quietly cry into each other’s shoulders, holding on so tight I can barely breathe.
It all comes out. The joy and the grief. Last time we hugged it out like this was at Mom and Dad’s funeral.
“Hartsville will always be home base for us,” I manage thickly. “You know that, right? I wanna travel, but I’m also not goin’ anywhere. I’ve learned freedom ain’t necessarily about going places. It’s about having the space to be myself. To live a life that feels right.”
Ryder nods. “I like that idea. And you’d better be sticking around. Could you imagine if you left me with Cash and Wy and Sawyer? They’d eat me alive.”
“Cash would, yeah.”
“They’d be so happy for you.” Ryder pounds my back. “Mom and Dad. And Garrett. I’d like to think they’re rooting for us all from up there in the sky.”
I like that idea too.
Who knows what happens to us when we die? I do know, however, there’s real power in believing your people—past, present, future—have your back and are making shit happen for you behind the scenes.
I feel Mom’s presence as I prepare some chicken salad for lunch before moving to the pork chops we’ll be having for dinner. Know Garrett’s in the room when I turn on my favorite Brooks & Dunn album, singing along while I chop shallots and try not to cry again. And Dad—
Dad is everywhere too. As I cook, I think about how he handled meeting his in-laws—my grandparents—for the first time.
Apparently it took a minute for Mom’s family to warm up to him, a hardscrabble rancher who talked a big game about keeping his family’s legacy alive on the property they’d owned for generations.
I think about him scooping one of us up and putting us in front of him in his saddle every damn day. Rain or shine, he was gonna teach us everything his daddy taught him about working cattle and raising a family.
Can’t wait to teach my baby the same.
I look up from sticking a toothpick in the cornbread and nearly have a heart attack when I see the time on the clock above the stove. Shit, Wheeler’s parents are due to arrive any minute.
I jam my best hat on my head and hop in my truck.
The New House is quiet when I let myself inside and head for Wheeler’s makeshift office, where she’s pretending to work.
I know she’s pretending because she keeps typing the same sentence over and over again on her computer, then hitting the delete button every time.
“Think it’s quittin’ time, Blue.”
She whips around in her chair, her expression relaxing when she sees me. “He—hey, cowboy.” Her eyes rake over my Stetson, white button-up, and Wranglers, stopping when they reach the boots I’m wearing.
Her face lights up with a smile. “Our Country Boots. Nice choice.”
“I know. Can’t wait to show ’em off to your mama and daddy.”
Wheeler’s expression falls. “At least one of us is excited to see them.”
Frowning, I close the distance between us. Lean down to kiss her mouth. “You not feeling great?”
“You smell good.”
“I got important people to meet.”
Her lips twitch. “And one important person, I mean thing, to do.”
“Don’t tempt me, Blue.” I tilt my head and feather my lips over her throat. “Last thing we need is your parents walking in on you yellin’ my name.”
She puts a hand on my chest. “At least then they’d know how much I like you.”
“Or they’d think you’re using me for my body.” Straightening, I adjust my belt.
Closing her laptop, Wheeler stands. She goes up on her toes to tap my hat. “That’s the only thing I’d ever use you for. Well, that and your perfect—”
“Company’s here!”
We both glance toward the door at the sound of Patsy’s voice.
“Look at me, Wheeler.” She does as I tell her. I take her face in my hands. “You and me—we’re gonna be just fine, regardless of how the next forty-eight hours goes, all right?”
Blinking, she nods, curling her hand around my wrist. “I know. I also know I keep apologizing in advance for whatever comes out of my dad’s and brother’s mouths—”
“Good thing I’m not easy to offend.”
“They’ll find a way, trust me.”
Wheeler lets go of my wrist. I grab her hand. “C’mon, we got good news to share. Remember that.”
She brightens a little at that. “Yeah. Yeah, it is good news. I just hope you don’t fall out of love with me after meeting them.” She motions to the door.
“Ain’t gonna happen, Blue.”
She must know I mean that, because she squeezes my hand.
Together we head out to the front hall. My heart pounds, but I keep my footsteps steady in the hopes it keeps Wheeler steady too.
Patsy is at the door. “Y’all excited?”
“Trying to be,” Wheeler replies.
“Aw, honey. It’s going to be a nice visit.” Patsy reaches for Wheeler’s arm. “Not to toot our own horn, but Lucky River Ranch’s hospitality is second to none.”
I nod. “She’s right.”
“I’m not as much of a city girl as Mollie is,” Wheeler replies, “but I wouldn’t say I was a fan of the country. Then I came here, and now—”
“You’re one of us.” I bring her hand to my lips. “We’ll win every last one of ’em over, you’ll see.”
I just wish I felt as confident as I sound.