Chapter 30
THIRTY
IZZY
Before I can think any more about my fake date, I spot two familiar figures cutting through the trees.
I leap from my chair to greet them. “Mom, Dad, you made it.” I smile, glad to see them, and yet my stomach is already knotting, wondering what they want to talk to me about. There’s always something.
Mom is dressed in her usual pressed slacks and silk blouse. Dad is trying to brush the dust from his white shirt and chinos. Both of them look out of place and uncomfortable amid the rugged beauty of the ranch.
“Isobel, you look well,” Mom says, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “Are you wearing makeup? Very pretty.”
“Thank you,” I reply, trying and failing not to hear the words she doesn’t say. For a change.
I lead them over to the tables and make the introductions. The Sullivans are welcoming and friendly, and even though my parents are polite and thank Mama for the invitation to her ranch, I can tell they’d rather not be here.
“David got head of plastic surgery! Did you hear?” Mom announces when it’s just the three of us. “We’re all so thrilled for your brother. Now, how are things here?”
“Great,” I say, launching into telling them about Moonlight’s foaling and the success of the last auction. They nod along for a minute before Mom nudges an elbow to Dad’s side and my words trail off.
“Show her the brochure,” she says.
“What brochure?” I ask.
Dad pulls a glossy booklet from the inside pocket of his jacket. “We’ve found the most amazing school for Madison,” he says, the words bouncing like he’s found the solution to a problem I didn’t know existed.
I swallow. Remind myself that my parents love me.
They love Madison. They only want what they see is best for us both.
My voice is light as I reply. “She goes to a school she likes already.” Although even as I say it, I realize she’ll need to move schools now anyway.
Her old school is out near Bill’s ranch.
“But this one is really something.” Mom beams, cutting through my thoughts as she flips the brochure open and hands it to me, tapping the page before I’ve even looked.
“It has an incredible academic program, the best extracurriculars, and it has a full equestrian center. Weekly riding lessons, show-jumping facilities. She’ll still be around horses, which we know she loves.
” The last part is added like they’re making a concession.
They fall silent as I stare at the pictures of happy children in immaculate uniforms and beaming smiles. “It does look amazing,” I admit. “And expensive. I can speak to Hooper about the tuition, but he’s always liked the idea of Madison having a normal childhood.”
“Don’t bother asking that boy for anything,” Dad says as Mom jumps in.
“We want to pay,” she says, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.
“That’s what we wanted to tell you,” Dad continues. “We want Madison to have the very best chance at an amazing future. And we think this school would be perfect for her.”
I force down the resentment trying to rise to the surface. “It feels like what you’re saying is that you don’t think Madison will have an amazing future if she continues as she is.” With me. Here.
Dad shakes his head, offering me a smile.
“That’s not it, Isobel. But you have to remember, I grew up on a ranch.
You didn’t. I know how challenging ranch life can be.
It’s commendable, Izzy, and we know you love it.
Growing up with two parents working every hour of the day is hard enough.
But only having one parent makes everything so much harder.
This school offers Madison so many fantastic opportunities she can’t have living on a ranch. ”
“We only want what’s best for Madison,” Mom adds.
Then I realize what they’re really saying. They want me to stop ranching, and this school is what they’re offering in exchange. “I’m assuming there are conditions?” I ask, because of course there are. Of course this kindness is really about them getting what they want.
Mom’s lips purse for a fraction of a second before Dad answers. “We don’t think of them as conditions, but…”
“We will pay for Madison to attend this wonderful school, and you take up our offer to move back home,” Mom says simply, knowing I could never afford to send her to a school like this on my own.
“Both of you come to live with us. Madison will have the best education money can buy and you’ll continue your studies.
It doesn’t have to be medical school—though that door is always open for you—but you’re a bright woman, Izzy. ”
“Just so we’re clear,” I say. “You’re saying you won’t pay for Madison to attend this school if we continue living and working on a ranch?”
Their faces say it all. This isn’t about what’s best for Madison.
It’s about taking control of her life and mine.
Again. Doing what they think is best. “You have more than proven you’re capable of doing things on your own,” Dad says.
“It’s time to let us help you. To give Madison more stable influences in her life. ”
Mom looks past me to the lake, where Madison is shrieking with laughter. Dylan is scooping her into his arms, throwing her into the air, and letting her land with a splash. Both of them have water rolling down their faces, shoulders shaking with laughter.
“It’s getting a bit late for swimming, don’t you think?” Mom says.
I feel suddenly uncertain. Mad is safe with Dylan. Maybe it is late, but it’s not dark yet. “I’ll call her in soon. Why don’t you get some food?”
A pained expression crosses Dad’s face. “Sorry, darling, didn’t we say? We already ate. Barbeque really isn’t great for your gut health.”
“But we’d love to spend some time with Madison,” Mom adds, shooting another pointed looked at the lake. “And you’ll think about the school? You’ll let us know? The new school year starts soon.”
The crushing sense of failure isn’t new but it’s no less sharp as I nod and stride to the shore to call Madison in.
The feeling lingers through the rest of the evening—through watching Mom and Dad dote on Madison, urging me again to consider their offer before they leave, driving back to their dust-free suburbia.
It stays through helping to clean up and through tucking Madison into bed.
I watch her fall asleep in seconds but find myself too restless to do the same.
I step quietly from my trailer, the door clicking softly behind me. There’s a soft glow from the ranch house, but it’s the light from the barn’s open door that draws me forward.
I find Dylan organizing some tools by the workbench. He turns when I step inside, offering me a smile that makes me feel lighter.
“You OK?” he asks, reaching for my hand. He brushes his thumb lightly over my fingers, just like he did earlier. Gentle and reassuring.
“Just my parents again,” I say. “They think I’m failing Madison.”
“That’s bullshit, Iz.”
“Is it?” I ask. “They’re offering her everything I can’t—structure, a good school, financial security, an actual bedroom. All I have is a trailer with a broken washing machine I can’t afford to fix.”
He draws me into his arms. “You offer her unwavering love. You give happiness, safety, and the space to be exactly who she is. I’ve never seen a kid more secure and confident in who she is than Madison. That’s you. That’s what you’ve given her. And no amount of money can buy that.”
The words settle into the cracks where the doubt and anxiety have taken root. I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Thank you,” I whisper.
I let myself think about everything Dylan’s done for Mad… for me. The way he listens. The way he sees me. The way he put tonight together just to make Mad happy.
“Dylan?”
“Yeah?”
“Your offer—for me to keep running the ranch with you. Is it still on the table?”
There’s a fraction of a second where Dylan seems to hesitate, but I must imagine it because in the next moment he nods. “Of course.”
“Then I’d like to say yes.” And even though I mean it, it doesn’t make it any less terrifying.
Because as much as I love these horses, as much as I know ranching is carved into my bones, a part of me wonders if I’m staying because of the way this place makes me feel… or because of the way Dylan does.
“But the other offers…” he starts to say.
I make a face. “There aren’t any other offers. I lied.” I shrug. “I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me or think I wasn’t serious.”
“Neither of those things could ever happen,” he says as he smiles broadly. “Guess I’d better start hiding the pitchforks, then.”
I laugh, feeling the tightness in my chest ease.
And then his hands reach to cradle my face.
Slowly, like he wants me to feel every second of this moment, he leans in and presses his lips to mine.
His tongue slides into my mouth and mine into his.
A jolt of pure desire shoots down my body.
His hands move to my waist, anchoring me to him as our mouths move together.
When he finally pulls back, his eyes are dark and full of need. “Where’s Mad?” he asks, his voice a low rasp.
“Fast asleep,” I whisper.
And this time, there’s no hesitation. No teasing slowness. Dylan’s lips press hard against mine, deepening our kiss and the want in my core.
“Fuck,” he groans into my mouth, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers skating down my spine. “You have no idea how fucking beautiful you are.”