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“Like I need to make my own way in the world,” he said. “Like…I can’t take over this place just because I’m the oldest son. It feels like cheating.”

“That’s how generational ranches work,” she said, a thread of confusion pulling through her. “People do it all the time.”

“It’s just never been for me.” Finn picked up a plate and handed it to Edith. “The real problem is, Edith, I don’t know what is for me.”

“Finn,” someone said loudly, and they both turned toward his momma. “Squire, Finn and Edith are here.” She yelled that sentence down the line to the grills, and everyone heard her. Edith suddenly felt like a bright, blazing hot spotlight had been placed on her, and she put a smile on her face too late.

Finn’s mother had surely seen her nerves, her hesitation, her quick glance over to Finn.

“Momma,” Finn said, and he moved easily into his momma’s arms though his voice sounded wooden.

Kelly Ackerman grinned as she hugged her son, and as she stepped back, his daddy joined her. “Howdy, son.” He looked over to Edith too, and they’d migrated out of line a little bit. Edith wondered if she’d ever get to sample some of the amazing food here at Three Rivers Ranch.

“Howdy, Edith.” Squire moved into her easily, swiping a kiss across her cheek effortlessly. “Did I miss the introduction?”

“No, Daddy,” Finn said in a tired voice. “I haven’t done it yet.” He slid his arm around Edith and brought her flush against his side. “You guys obviously know Edith.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say we know her,” Kelly said.

“Momma,” Finn warned. “This is Edith Baxter. You’ve met her before.”

“As a much younger person.”

“Edith, my momma and daddy. Kelly and Squire, needlessly.”

Edith grinned at his parents. “It’s great to see you both again.”

Kelly smiled at her. “Thank you,” she said in pure Texan diplomacy. She even dipped her head a little. “I’ve told Finny not to hide you from us, but he thinks he has to.”

“Momma, I never said that.”

“You don’t need to say it, Finn.” His mother threw him a sharp look and focused on Edith again. “You two have been dating for what? Seven or eight weeks? And this is the first we’ve seen of you.” She took Edith by both shoulders. “You’re so beautiful, Edith. I see why Finn likes you.”

“Mom, you are seriously embarrassing me.”

Edith grinned at Kelly and then him. “Finn, who doesn’t want to be told they’re beautiful? She’s fine.”

“See? I’m fine.” Kelly released her, and the four of them stood there and looked at one another.

“I do love this ranch,” Edith said as she glanced around. “There’s a special feeling here.”

“That there is,” Squire said. “How’s Reagan coming along?”

“Good,” Edith said as she moved to rejoin the food line. “What are you grillin’ up tonight, Mister Ackerman?” They left Finn and his mother to talk for a moment, and Edith glanced over to her boyfriend. Kelly didn’t look like she was lecturing him, but a ruddy quality still crept up his neck and into his face.

“We’ve got hamburgers and hot dogs. Typical barbecue fare. But then, we put on some chicken, and Pete’s been smoking a brisket all day.” He clapped his hand on the shoulder of a cowboy named Jon, who somehow balanced three plates full of just sides. Potato salad. Sweet pea salad. Bright red Jell-O. Cole slaw. Baked beans. Potato chips.

Edith’s mouth watered. “I’m so hungry.”

“Then you came to the right place.” Squire looked at her again, and Edith had the very real feeling he saw more than just what existed on the surface. She wanted to squirm away from him, though his expression stayed pleasant. “It’s great to see you, Edith. I know my wife would love it if you weren’t a stranger here.”

With that, he turned and merged himself into a trio of cowboys who all bore the last name Walker. “Howdy, boys,” he said with a laugh, and handshakes and hellos went around.

Edith stood there in line, not sure why Finn didn’t think this ranch was home. She watched him finish up with his momma, and then both of them joined her. “I just saw someone walk by with all the sides I could’ve hoped for,” she said to Kelly. “Finn tells me you have a Jell-O recipe I need to try.”

“Do you like to cook, Edith?” Kelly asked.

“Truth be told,” she said as Finn picked up his own plate. “Alex does most of the cooking around Coyote Pass. But I’m passable.”