Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
TANDY
L unch with Dallas turned into lunch with Colt, Dallas, and Rose. Colt didn’t seem the least bit surprised about our announcement, which I suppose isn’t a shocker since he’s seen me with Matthew nearly every day for months.
Dallas and Rose were both happy for us. And watching them together makes me eager for Matchmaker Ranch to be ready for business. They swear they’re only faking their engagement, but the way they look at each other gives me hope that Dallas has finally found love again. Of course, I can’t say that to him, or he’ll let his defenses get in the way.
“I think that went well, don’t you?”
Matthew grazes his thumb over my hand as he drives. “Yep. They all seemed surprised but not shocked. I’m guessing we’ll get a similar reaction tonight.”
“Hopefully.” I’m not very concerned that his grandsons will be upset about our engagement. It’s been a long time since I’ve asked either of them to take off their shirts, an attempt at humor that not everyone finds funny. But I do. Or did. That joke has kind of run its course.
I’m more concerned about this weekend and meeting the two of his children that I haven’t yet met. Do they even know that I’m staying at the house? That will probably give them the wrong impression, but I can’t help that.
As soon as we get to the house after going by the ranch, I start on dinner. Tonight, everything needs to be perfect. Not only is Matthew telling part of his family that he’s getting married again, but he’s also letting them know he’s planning to move away from the ranch.
Time passes quickly as I prepare food.
Matthew whistles a tune as he walks through the house. His clean bill of health has him back to his old self, and I love it.
“Should we eat in the dining room? That table is bigger.” I pull plates out of the cabinet.
He leans on the doorframe. “Sure, but when Eli and Zach see plates on that table, they’ll know something is up.” After a chuckle, he lifts the stack of plates and carries them into the dining room. “Watch their expressions when they notice. You’ll see what I mean.”
Ten minutes later, there is a knock as the door swings open. I love that his family feels at home here. It’s not the way my home was growing up, and I can’t even imagine Dallas walking into my house without being invited in.
Eli is holding Trixie, who is wiggling and trying to get down. “Zach and Haley are pulling up.” He hands his daughter to Delaney, then hugs his granddad. “Thanks for inviting us over.”
“Thanks for coming.” Matthew holds on an extra second.
He might never mention the health scare to his family, but it’s obvious to me that he’s even more thankful for them now.
Eli steps away, sees the plates on the dining room table, then looks at me. “Hi.” He glances at Delaney, then moves closer to me and awkwardly puts an arm around me and gives me a side hug. “It’s good to see you.”
When Zach and Haley walk in. Eli catches Zach’s attention, then tips his head toward the dining room.
After we all exchange hugs and greetings, Zach says, “A dining room meal surprises me a bit. It’s not Easter or Christmas, so I’m hoping that maybe you’re going to give us good news.”
Matthew eases up beside me and tucks an arm around my waist. “Very good news. Tandy made meatloaf.”
My gentle elbow nudge draws a laugh from the adults.
“I asked Tandy to marry me, and she said yes. But we’re asking that you keep this to yourselves until we announce it this weekend. But tonight, there is something I want to talk to you boys about. And we decided not to keep our secret during dinner.”
Haley hugs me again. “But you did make meatloaf, right? Because I love meatloaf.”
“I did.”
Delaney and Haley help me get food on the table while Matthew, Zach, and Eli chase children around.
Dinner feels like a scene out of a Hallmark movie. And it’s a bit surreal that my life has turned out that way.
Matthew waits to discuss the ranch until I set the tray of lemon bars and brownies on the table. “Okay, so the other reason I wanted to chat.”
I shake the can of whipped cream, then ask, “Who wants some of this on their brownies?”
Eli holds out his plate. “Yes, please.”
Once everyone has their mouths full of dessert, Matthew continues. “This place is too big for just me, and Tandy is building a house on Matchmaker Ranch. Soooo…” He exhales. “I planned on leaving it to the both of you. But if you want it sooner than after I die, it’s yours. There are two houses. Y’all can arm wrestle for them.”
Eli shakes his head. “Nope. I will not arm wrestle Zach. I might hurt him.”
Zach shoots his younger cousin a dirty look, which makes everyone laugh.
“I’m not asking for a decision tonight. And if moving out here isn’t in your plans, I understand. I just need you to be honest with me.”
Zach and Haley exchange a look. As do Eli and Delaney.
Then Zach says what I’m guessing they’re all thinking. “It’s weird to think of you not living on the ranch.”
“It is for me too in some ways. But I’ll just be down the road a few miles.” Matthew clasps my hand. “Never too old to try something new.”
I’m staring at the cabin near the river. Amazed at how much this whole ranch has changed since Matthew volunteered to help me. “It’s perfect.”
“They’re still working on the inside. And I told them to prioritize your house, but it won’t be long until you’ll be hosting love birds here.”
“Cami put up the website so that potential matches could apply to come, but no one has signed up yet.” I didn’t think there would be a stampede, but zero applicants is a bit discouraging.
Matthew drapes an arm around me. “Give it time. Love works in weird ways.”
“True.” I check the time. “We need to go.”
“People won’t be at the house for another hour.” He shrugs. “What’s the hurry?”
“I need to take a shower and do my hair and at least some light makeup. You don’t want them to think you picked me up off the side of the road.”
“No one will think that.” He laughs. “But let’s go.”
At the house, I hurry into the shower. I’ve tried not to let on how nervous this visit makes me, but there is a knot in my stomach. Lilith calls as I’m putting on makeup, and I put in an earbud to keep chatting while I dab on a bit of eyeshadow and apply mascara.
Lilith and I haven’t chatted as much since I stopped working at the venue. Matthew and Matchmaker Ranch have taken up most of my time.
“Fill me in, Tandy. I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages,” Lilith says, after we exchange a bit of small talk.
I take a last look in the mirror before walking toward the door. “I’m really happy. Matthew makes me happy.” I slip out of the room and listen for voices.
There are some outside, but it’s quiet in the house.
Lilith gives a little squeal. “I knew it. I’m still curious about your history, though.”
“Since we were high school sweethearts, he knows exactly what pleases me. Yesterday, I came home and found a Big Hunk in my bed.” I round the corner and bump into a woman who looks very much like Catherine’s picture. “I’ll talk to you later, Lilith.”
The woman, who I’m guessing is Donna, stares at me.
“Hi, I’m Tandy.” I extend my hand.
Without saying a word, she turns and walks away.
Now that knot in my stomach is the size of a watermelon. I need chocolate and maybe something a little stronger.