Page 98 of Valor

“What’s so funny?” my mother asks as she strolls into the dining room, looking too beautiful for a simple Saturday afternoon. She always does though. Her graying hair is in a thick braid draped over her shoulder, and her expression is bright, her blue eyes full of love every moment of every day.

“Lani was just telling me I have a career as an architect to fall back on if the ranch doesn’t pan out.”

“I’ve been telling you that for years, Tommy Hunt. Have you eaten?” she asks me.

“Not yet. I was hoping my mother would take pity on her poor daughter and feed me. I could starve to death otherwise.”

She laughs. “You know I will always take pity on you. I’m making tacos, that sound okay?”

“It sounds more than okay. Can I help?”

“Nope. You relax and take a load off. You’ve been working too hard these days.”

“Is it really work when you love what you do?” I pour myself a glass of sweet tea from the pitcher she always keeps in the fridge. Since my five brothers are here drinking it nearly every day, she’s constantly refreshing it. This new batch is even still a bit warm, so I grab some ice from the freezer and drop the cubes in.

“You still need sleep, honey. Ever since Janet went on maternity leave at the hospital, you’re back to pulling double shifts there and at the clinic. It’s bound to wear on you.”

“I’ll be fine. We’ll have hired a replacement by then.”Hopefully.I spent months pulling double shifts between the clinic I opened in town and the hospital before we were able to find Janet to take over the vacant position in our little Texan town. But now that she’s on maternity leave, everyone we bring in for an interview cancels on us last minute.

It’s driving me bananas because my mom is right—Iamtired. Exhausted, really. It’s just me and Doctor Alan Pierce running the entire hospital. Alternating day and night shifts to ensure it’s covered.

“Alan is helping as much as he can. But he can only work so many hours.”

“So can you,” she replies pointedly. “And you already put your clinic on pause once for the hospital.”

“I don’t have a family to take care of on top of the crazy hours. He does.”

She eyes me, her concerned-mother look turning to one of amusement. “And why is that, I wonder? Still not willing to open yourself up to a certain sheriff?”

“Whoa, sheriff?” my dad asks. “As in Gibson? When did this happen?”

“It hasn’t happened yet,” my mom replies. “That’s the point.”

I roll my eyes. “Gibson and I are just friends, Mom. We’ve been friends for years.”

“But you could?—”

“Mom. Please. I really don’t want to go there.” It’s been years since I was in med school and got the notice that he’d eloped with a girl we went to high school with. My heart broke that day, and although I’ve dated on and off, I never found anyone who made me feel even half of what he does.

Even if he’ll never know it.

They divorced a few years back, after she cheated on him and ran off with someone else. I’d been furious on his behalf and still can’t understand why she’d do that to him. Gibson is everything. He’s kind, strong, protective—and the most supportive person I’ve ever met.

“I like Gibson,” my dad says. “I approve.”

“There is nothing to approve of, Dad. Mom is off her rocker.”

He laughs. “Well, if ever there is something to approve of, Gibson is a good man.”

“Please stop. Both of you. Or I’ll go home and starve instead of stay for tacos.” It’s an empty threat. And one they probably both recognize.

But my mom concedes anyway. “Okay, fine. I’ll drop it. For now.”

“Thank you. Are the boys coming to dinner?” I question, hoping I’ll have buffers if my brothers and their wives will all come to distract my mother from her matchmaking.

“Not tonight. They’re all prepping for their training trip tomorrow morning.” The doorbell rings. “You go sit and enjoy your tea. I’ll get that.” She heads out of the kitchen, so I eye my dad, who shrugs.

“Don’t look at me.”