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“My parents just wanted to tear other people down for sport. It was like they hadn’t done a hard day’s work if they didn’t screw up someone’s life.”

Ridge stopped eating long enough to study Thea. “She must be tough if she can handle all that and still smile.”

Brett watched her as she used her hands to tell Hadley some story. Her lips were moving a mile a minute, and her eyes were brighter than he’d seen them in days.

Seeing her happy was the only thing he’d been craving for almost a week now, but he hadn’t thought of it in the same way Ridge had. He’d been thinking of her as a fragile flower, easily crushed by the first hoof to stomp on it. It really was a miracle she could still lift her chin and face the days knowing the evil that had beaten her down so many times.

“You’re right. I haven’t been giving her enough credit. She’s been doing a good job of handling things on her own. I just hate seeing her upset. It makes me sick to my stomach.”

“That’s something they never told us about relationships–that we’ll feel whatever they feel. When Cheyenne gets upset about her mom’s health, it makes me want to either punch a wall or puke.”

Brett gave his friend a side glance. “That is surprisingly accurate. I think living with Hadley will help Thea come to grips with what’s going on with her mom.”

“Maybe. Cheyenne and Hadley’s mom has good days and bad days, so get ready for that roller coaster.”

Brett rested his forehead in his hands. “She deserves to be able to see her mom. She’s the one person Thea has always been able to count on. She’s probably the one who told Thea to leave in the first place.”

“You’re not upset about that?” Ridge asked.

“Sounds like Cheyenne filled you in on our shared history. To be honest, I was mad when she first left. Livid. Then I was upset because I thought we were in it for the long haul, and apparently, she didn’t feel the same. After a while, I got over it enough to be able to look back and admit that she needed to get out of here. We both wanted to leave, and I couldn’t really blame her for doing it.”

Ridge nodded. “I’ve thought the same about Cheyenne.”

Ridge hadn’t met his bride-to-be in the most conventional way. She’d come to the ranch to ruin his life, all for a hefty sum of money that would help pay for her mom’s medical bills.

Come to think of it, that sounded a lot like Thea. She’d do anything for her mom, including put herself in danger.

Ridge stood and picked up his empty plate. “I’ve gotta run. I have to pick up my tux and make sure it fits.”

“When is the wedding again?”

Ridge paused. “Dude, you’re in the wedding. Please tell me you know when to show up.”

Brett grinned. “I'm just messing with you. Can I bring a date?”

“I think Cheyenne already invited Thea.”

“Good.” Maybe if she’d already planned to go, she wouldn’t mind being his date.

If she was still here. The wedding was over a month away.

Ava stood and headed toward the trash can. Brett jumped up to meet her.

“Hey, how’s Thea been doing today?”

“She’s great. She learns quickly, which is a relief.”

“I was wondering if I could sneak her out to the barn for an hour or so. I think she’d like to spend some time with the horses.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s a good idea. She told me about her job back in Alabama. I can tell she’s missing it.”

“Thanks. I’ll bring her back soon.”

He approached the small crowd hanging around Thea and took a seat across from her. “Hey, Ava said I could take you out to the barn for a little bit if you want.”

Thea’s eyes lit up for a split second before the excitement faded. “Are you sure? We still have so much to go over.”

“I’ll bring you back whenever you’re ready. She said she was okay with it.”