Chapter 29 #2
Part of me wants to protest—to say we might not be here, that nothing about the future is certain.
But the words don’t come and I just find myself mouthing a “thank you” to Harper.
Because maybe for the first time in a long time I don’t want to protest. Maybe there’s something terrifying but beautiful about being pulled in by the gravity of this family, like I’m already part of it, even if I never meant to be.
“Seeing as we’re making wishes,” Mama says, her voice gentle but steady, “I’m going to tell you mine. I wish you’ll always feel that Oakwood Ranch is your home. That you’ll always have somewhere to come back to.”
I don’t miss the way she says it—not just to her sons, but to Harper. To me. To Madison. The words settle in my chest like an ache I didn’t know was there. A hope I haven’t dared to name.
“And,” she continues, “I’ve decided I’m going to build three houses on the opposite side of the lake.”
All three Sullivan boys splutter a, “What?”
“Who for?” Jake asks.
“For you. For all of us. Seeing Dylan working the ranch these past weeks, it’s made me realize the house is part of that life.
Which is how it should be. But I don’t want to be woken at the crack of dawn by the sound of Dylan in the kitchen, and you”—she nods to Jake and Harper—“want your own space when you’re here.
I love it when all three of you are home, but you’re grown men now and we’re all living on top of each other.
This way, we’ll all get our own space but still have our homes on the ranch. ”
“You’re still planning to cook dinner for all of us, though, right?” Chase asks, shooting a look at Dylan. “No offense, Dyl, but Mama’s cooking is way better than yours.”
“Says the boy who buys vegetable-flavored ice cream,” Dylan retorts before turning to Mama. “The ranch house is your home, Mama. I don’t want you to feel you have to—”
“I don’t have to do anything. This is what I want. A gorgeous, newly built house overlooking the lake. My own space, too. You realize I’ve never lived alone? My first home was here with your dad. Then you boys came along. I like the idea of some peace finally.”
“Anything to get away from the smell of Dylan after a day with the horses,” Jake says with a chuckle.
“That too,” Mama agrees, joining in the laughter before turning to Madison. “Seems like there’s a lot of wishing going on tonight, Madison. What are you wishing for, honey?”
Madison tilts her head to one side, licking ketchup from her fingers. All eyes are on her, and I’m already preparing myself for whatever dessert-related answer is coming. Probably an entire factory of ice cream.
Except I’m wrong.
Madison lifts her chin, her eyes bright with certainty. “I wish Dylan and my mom would get married so I could stay on Oakwood Ranch forever.”
“Mad!” I gasp, wishing the earth would swallow me up.
“What?” She shrugs, completely oblivious to the fact that she’s just thrown a grenade onto the table. “That’s what I wish for.”
I rake over my thoughts for a reply, a way to make this less embarrassing without hurting her feelings, to squash her wish without destroying her.
Then Chase bursts out laughing. “Mad, come on. Dylan’s way too grumpy to marry anyone but an old boot.”
“Hey.” Dylan shoots him a dark look that has the rest of the table doubling over.
Madison giggles, but there’s a wobble to her bottom lip, like maybe she’s thinking of her dad and what she was supposed to be doing tonight. Like maybe she’s been let down enough times. Is it any wonder she’s looking for a way to keep hold of the fun she’s having tonight? My heart clenches.
I reach for her hand beneath the table and squeeze. “We don’t need anyone else when we’ve got each other,” I say quietly.
“People don’t just get married, Mad,” Dylan says. “Even if it’s to old boots.”
“Yeah,” Harper says, shooting him a pointed look everyone but Mad sees. “They go on dates first and get to know each other.”
Mad’s lips twitch as she turns back to Dylan. “OK, then I wish you and my mom would go on a date.”
Dylan raises his brows at me before focusing back on Mad. “If I ask your mom on a date, that would make your wish come true?”
Mad nods, her grin wide now.
“She might say no,” he warns gently.
“I’m saying yes for her. When are you going on your date?” she pushes.
Dylan hesitates.
“Next week?” she asks.
“Sure,” he says with a slow nod, sounding suddenly unsure.
“Where will you go?”
He shoots me a look that practically begs for rescue. And even though a part of me wants to let him stew in this, I owe him for cheering Mad up tonight.
“Hey, no one’s asked me about this date,” I say, trying to sound offended. “I can handle my own love life, thanks.”
Madison lifts her chin. “You always say you make bad decisions. So I’m making this one for you.”
My mouth drops open. “I do not always—”
“Will you go?” she interrupts, fixing me with the look that’s won her plenty of extra cookies and late bedtimes over the years.
I hesitate as I look at Dylan. He’s watching me, expression unreadable, like he’s waiting for my answer the same as Mad, and before I can overthink it, I roll my eyes and fight back a smile. “Doesn’t sound like I have much choice. But I’m picking the place.”
“Yes!” Madison grins. “My second wish is for Dylan to come swimming with me before it gets dark.”
And then she’s gone, towel flying behind her like a cape as she races for the lake.
I barely have time to breathe before Dylan pushes back from the table. He glances down at me, eyes lingering on mine a second too long, and it feels strangely like Mad wasn’t the only one to have won that argument.
“Smart kid,” Chase says, shaking his head with a laugh.
Too smart.
I stare after them, the warmth of Dylan’s eyes on me just now clings to my skin the same way every one of his touches does.
Maybe a fake date with Dylan isn’t the worst way to spend an evening.
Only it doesn’t feel fake at all. Not with the way he just looked at me. Not with the way I wanted to look back.