Chapter 7
Chapter seven
Dakota
“She’s asleep,” I whisper as I come down the hallway.
Poor thing obviously hasn’t been sleeping since she crashed not long after her shower.
Cooper is at the kitchen table, his fingers sliding across the keyboard.
My nerves where finally starting to settle. After the phone call that confirmed my mother was in fact, deceased, Cooper and I spent two hours looking up Texas law for gaining custody of a minor.
“She’s probably exhausted from the travel alone.” Cooper closes his laptop. “I emailed Norman. He’s agreed to meet with us tomorrow for legal advice.”
Norman was the lawyer for the ranch, but he dabbled in all sorts of law.
“Thanks, Coop.” I squeeze his forearm that’s propped up on the table. “I owe you big.”
“I’ll be creative in your repayment.” His cheeky grin has me slapping his arm. “I’m not one of your buckle bunnies, Mayson.”
His eyebrows raise. “When’s the last time you saw me with a buckle bunny?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” I wave my hand. “Last night.”
He narrows his eyes. “Name one.”
“Alison.”
I try not to let my jealously flare, because it’s absurd. But watching her flirt with him has always unnerved me. She’s blonde. Pretty. And perfect for him. No scandalous family. No baggage.
Ugh.
“She spoke to me for all of five seconds,” he scoffs. “Besides, how would you have known? You were pretty occupied with that scum bag, Vickerson.”
I lean my head back on a laugh. “Seriously? We work together. I train his horses.”
“He wanted you to train more than that,” he mutters.
“You don’t like him?” I press, trying not to laugh.
“Fuck no.” He pushes up from the table. “He’s an arrogant prick.”
I watch as he paces the kitchen, before he snatches up a toothpick from the container on the counter and drops it in his mouth.
“Ok.” I lift my hands. “No need to get twitchy.”
Before he can fire back a remark, Ivy is bursting through the front door with Laiken trailing behind her.
“We came for an update.” Ivy smiles, a casserole in hand. “And we have supper.”
Cooper takes it from her hands, helping himself as Ivy and Laiken climb onto the sofa with me.
These two are the definition of ride or die.
I met Ivy through Cooper, and Laiken through Ivy.
We've been thick as thieves ever since, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Ivy grips my hand, her bright smile always a comfort. Laiken’s kind spirit is one of those that makes you feel like you are wrapped up in your favorite blanket by a fire on a cold winter day. My friends are everything I’m not.
Ivy can talk to anyone. Smart as a whip and loyal to a fault.
Laiken has always been the center. The gravity.
The sound mind. The nurturer. And I was well… .me.
“How is she?” Ivy asks.
“Good. Fed, showered, and resting.” I tuck my bare feet beneath me.
“Does she need anything?” Laiken asks.
“I will probably need to get her a few sets of clothes. Some toiletries.” I glance back at Cooper. “I really won’t know what’s next until we see the attorney tomorrow and he tells us the process.”
“If you need me to, I can take her to town to get those things while you and Coop meet with him.”
“Thanks, Ives.” I smile.
“Will she go to foster care?” Laiken’s gaze drifts over to Ivy.
I shake my head. “No. I can’t let her go back.”
“Go back?” Ivy’s eyes soften. “She’s been before?”
“Yeah.” I swallow. “Not a good experience.” I finally have the courage to say it. “I want her to stay with me.”
I’m not sure what I expected, but Ivy launching herself at me was not it.
“I’m so proud of you,” she sobs.
Laiken joins next, her arms wrapping around us both. “Me too. We’re right here. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” I let my gaze track over to Cooper and then I mouth the words to him across the room. Thank you. Who knew that meeting him at a gas station at ten years old would lead me here. To this family.