Chapter 36 #2
“Not yet.” She grins. “There’s one that offers toys in each box. I’ve considered that one a time or two. Your Pa’s not really—”
“Uh-uh.” I lift a hand, cutting her off. “Nope, that’s as far as I need that conversation to go, thank you.”
Ma gives me a sheepish smile before nudging my hand that’s holding the scissors. I take a breath, giving myself a second before I slice through the tape and open the box. There’s a note inside from Karina, my new boss.
Leni,
I hope we did your article justice. Our focus groups loved it. I think this issue is going to be a bestseller. I can’t wait to learn more about your family, and hear what you have to say about...well, anything really. Be in touch soon.
- Karina
P.S. I hope I counted right (there’s a lot of you to keep track of), but I sent an issue for each of your brothers, and one for your parents. They should be really proud of you!
Ma reads over my shoulder, her body tipping back before she looks at me. “Leni, what is this?”
I bite my bottom lip to keep from squealing again.
Tears fill my eyes when I see the cover.
Beneath the title of the magazine is an old photo of the Kane Ridge Ranch sign.
I stole it from Ma’s website, and Karina did the work to get the license from the photographer who took it originally.
The subtitle makes those tears fall like rain.
Kane Ridge Ranch: How One Family Turned an Empire Into A Legacy of Love and Abundance.
I flip to the middle of the magazine, staring at the article with my name in bold underneath it. A note from the editor at the top, before my words begin.
“Enter the world of Kane Ridge Ranch, an honest-to-God cowboy dynasty full of back-breaking work and the kind of love we all dream about. Immerse yourself in the story of how one of America’s largest cattle ranches came to be, and how it’s continued on its legacy to the next generation, and the one after that.
All through the lens of one of the Kane’s very own.
Eleanor Kane’s take on her family’s ranching business is a breath of fresh air.
Raw in a way that makes you want to find your way to their spot in the world to enjoy some of the magic she’s infused into this article. ”
Ma digs out her own copy of the magazine, eyes darting over the pages as she devours my article. Our article. The one about us. Us ten years ago. The us that I’ve been missing.
Her eyes fill with tears, some slipping down her cheeks. She lifts the magazine, avoiding letting the tears drip onto the pages.
“Leni,” she breathes, the same green in my eyes reflecting back at me. “This is incredible.”
I can’t help the pride that swells in my chest. “They hired me to write more.” My voice sounds small. My inner child is desperately needing this validation from my mother.
“How could they not, Leni?” She stares down at the pages, one hand smoothing over the words, like they’re something tangible. “I’m so fucking proud of you, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Ma.” I lean onto her shoulder, taking in a deep breath of her scent. It’s warm and sweet, and she smells like every happy childhood memory. “They want to do an article on you next. If you’re willing.”
“You’ll be the one writing it?”
“Yes,” I say. She gives my hand a gentle squeeze.
“Then yes, I’d love to do an article with you.”
“They want to bring cameras in. Pa will hate it.”
Ma chuckles, shaking her head. “Pa will get over it.”
“And maybe, I could help with your retreats too? If you’ll have me?”
Her face lights up, a smile beaming at me. “Of course I will!” She wraps me in a side hug, pressing a kiss to my hair.
We sit in silence for a minute, Ma reading the article again while I flip through the rest of the magazine, taking note of the tone and voice of other pieces. My article doesn’t sound like a competition piece, but one that was meant to be there all along.
I snap a photo of the cover to send it to Clay, when I think better of it and start a new chat.
Kane Siblings Group Chat
You sent a photo to the Kane Siblings Group Chat
Tobias Russell
Holy shit
Adler James
Is that about us??
Mercer Duane
I thought I was the only one allowed to create new group chats
Ethan Todd
Shut up Mercer
Who wrote an expose on us this time?
Brooks Elliott
Bet if you looked at the picture you’d know
You at the house Leni? I need to read it
Now
Adler James
wait for us man
I want to read it too
Cowboy
It’s good
Really good
Mercer
Any other secret publications we should know about…
Eleanor?
Nope.
But I’ll sign these for free if you want
Ethan Todd
These?
My editor sent me enough for each of you
Tobias Russell
Hell yea
There’s a five-minute pause before three of my five brothers burst through the door. Adler grins at the sight of Ma, and I snuggle up together. He’s always been a mama’s boy. Squishing into her other side, he picks up a magazine, a low whistle coming out when he takes in the cover.
Toby sits beside me, grabbing for his own copy.
“Can I?” Brooks looks at the end of the bed, almost like he’s not sure I’d want him here. Guess that’s my fault. It’s going to take some time, but eventually, we will get back to how we all used to be. I hope.
“Of course.” I offer him a copy. He smiles, the soft one that, until Tessa arrived, hadn’t made much of an appearance after Kate.
We sit in silence as the boys all read the article.
Adler finishes first, setting the magazine down on his lap, his eyes staring at the cover.
There’s so much written on his face that I want him to share.
Toby is wiping quiet tears out of the corner of his eyes.
Brooks glances at me, one sharp exhale before he stands up and walks for the door.
“It’s really good, Leni. Really good. I…” He stops, his voice choking on emotion, and I know he won’t say more. That’s not really his style. Instead, he tips his hat at me and walks out.
There’s a pause between the four of us still here, holding our breaths before Brooks marches back in and snags his copy off the foot of the bed.
“It’s allergies,” he grumbles, swiping a thumb under both eyes.
“Sure.” Adler shrugs, no cocky smile on his face.
“Asshole,” Brooks mutters, turning on his boot heel, leaving the room again.
Toby looks at Ma and me, making eye contact with Adler before they burst into laughter. Ma and I join in, my whole body aching by the time we manage to pull ourselves together.
“Fuck, that hurts.” I clutch my side. Toby’s smile drops instantly.
“You okay?” He swipes my bangs off my forehead, eyes full of concern.
“Just laughing with a couple broken ribs, I’m fine.” I bat his hand away.
He grimaces. “I forgot about those. That sucks.”
“You guys are whiny babies,” Adler shakes his head, popping off the bed. His copy of the magazine is tucked under his arm.
“Not everyone gets to avoid pain,” I pout.
He grins. “True. When was your last pill?”
“Yesterday,” I grumble.
Toby sighs, shaking his head. “We’ll go get you one. Need anything else, Leni?”
I bat my eyelashes. “A sandwich? Please?”
“Oh my God! She’s back for less than a week, and we’re already catering to her!” Adler shuffles out the door, carrying on about how much of a nuisance I am, while Toby presses a kiss to my head.
“It’s really, really good.” Toby grins. “I’m glad you’re back for good, Leni.”
“We all are.” Ma presses a kiss to my cheek. “I’m going to go make sure they don’t destroy my kitchen, making you a sandwich. I’ll be right back, sweetheart.”
“Sounds good.” I smile, wincing at the pain. “I’m not going anywhere.”