Page 55

God, she wished she could tape his mouth shut. Just for a few minutes so she could apply her makeup in peace.

But Micah did not stop. Even when she handed him a bagel to eat on the way in the hopes she could enjoy the pretty drive out to the Tyler ranch in some semblance of morning stillness. But Micah just kept talking through mouthfuls of bagel, all but bouncing in his seat when they crossed under the archway for Tyler ranch.

Even though Micah’s constant chatter had set her on edge, the edginess eased here. Oh, she was so screwed. Too wrapped up in Shane and too wrapped up in this place far too quickly and easily.

But hadn’t that been what Lilly had felt when she’d started working at Mile High Adventures? And look how that had turned out.

You are not your sister.

Cora pushed the nasty voice away. No, she wasn’t Lilly, and she’d never be quite like Lilly, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t make some good happen in her life. For Micah. For herself.

She pulled to a stop in front of the house, glanced at her excited, exuberant son. It swelled in her chest, that they could make it to this point, and she wanted to embrace this. Nurture it. Prove to Micah he could be enthusiastic about something without the fear it’d be ruined or taken away. “Before we get out, you have to do one thing.”

“What?” Micah asked, craning his neck toward the stables.

“Look me in the eye, and tell me how much you love this.”

Micah flopped back in his seat, glaring at her. “I’m not doing that.”

“Then I’m driving us back home.”

“Mo-o-om,” he whined.

“Just look me in the eye, and say, ‘Mom, I love ranch stuff. It’s the best, and I want to do it every day. And if I ever change my mind about that, I’ll tell you, and explain why.’”

Micah rolled his eyes so hard it had to hurt. “Yeah, all that, whatever.”

“Look me in the eye, Micah, and say it.”

He huffed out a breath and scowled at her. “I love this and if I stop I’ll tell you why,” he grumbled, dramatically folding his arms across his chest. “Happy?”

“If you are, baby.” She reached over and cupped his face with her hand. Again, he rolled his eyes, but he didn’t pull away. “I hope you know that’s all I want. For you to be happy.”

He pulled away from her hand and reached for the door. “You should be happy too, Mom,” he mumbled before scurrying out of the car.

Cora inhaled deeply and looked at the house, where the three Tyler men stepped out onto the porch, along with Molly. Maybe she didn’t belong here, and maybe she never would, but she’d take the slice of happy it offered while she could.

She stepped out of the car, Micah already to the porch. Yeah, this was good. This was happy.

Molly walked up to her. “Hey, I’ve got some horse stuff to do, but then I’m heading over to Lou’s to help with some flower stuff. Shane said it’s your day off. You want to come? Em will be there for a bit. A fun little girl’s day . . . with weeding. But also ice cream.”

Cora smiled. It was hard to find friends, and ever since Tori had gotten engaged Will was always trying to interrupt their girl-only time. Tori usually told him to shove off, but it was nice to be the one getting invited to do something. And something different. “That sounds great.”

“’Kay.” Molly glanced at her watch. “Give me about an hour. If you don’t want to hang out with the boys, Grandma’s inside polishing her swords.”

“Right.”

Molly laughed. “Don’t we seem so normal from the outside? Then you get to know us and . . .” She made an explosion noise before clapping Cora on the back. “See you in a bit.”

Cora walked the rest of the way to the porch where Micah was looking up at Boone, rapt with whatever he was saying. When her gaze moved to Shane, she hurried the rest of the way toward him.

“What happened to you?” she demanded, reaching out to gently rub the spot next to his busted lip.

“Uh . . .” His gaze slid to Gavin, as if Gavin would answer, but Cora spoke first.

“Oh my God. What happened toyou?” Gavin’s eye was puffy and bruised, and there was a bruise on his jaw as well.

“You should see the other guy?” Gavin offered hopefully.