“Unless you’ve mentioned it. That’s need-to-know information, and you’re the only one who needs to know.” I wink.
“Tandy knows you have one. I asked her about it when we were broken up. But I never mentioned it to her after that. I kinda like our little secret.”
Cheers and hollers emanate from behind the house, and I say, “It sounds like a party.”
“It does. I never lived on the ranch like so many of the others. When we met, you were already working for Tandy part of the time. But everyone here welcomed me like I belonged. All because of you. And I love this place almost as much as I love Matchmaker Ranch.”
We stop, and I point to the pool. “See that crowd of people? They’re all here because of Beau, Clint, and Ava. Those three were and still are the heart of the ranch. Garrett and I had lunch the other day, and we were talking about that.”
Garrett has taken over most of the day-to-day operations that Beau handled, and Kent is now foreman.
Clint still helps out from time to time, but he spends most of his time with Joji and whatever new project she dreams up.
And Ava spends more time with Mad Dog than she does in the kitchen these days.
Goldie is in charge of meals and cleaning, but she has a crew to help her.
Rose turns to face me. “Mindy stopped by when I was refilling the buckets with bouquets the other day. She said Jeffrey is bringing desserts to this party. That should be good.”
“Yeah, and I heard a rumor that Steph and Blake were bringing some of the beer they’ve been brewing. I’m looking forward to that.” I kiss her forehead. “Beautiful wife, great kid, good friends, and an ice-cold beer. Life is pretty good these days.”
Carson
Sitting in the game room, I shoot off an SOS text to Daphne.
Ever since Fred found out that Mason is driving here for the wedding, he’s been a nervous wreck.
I thought we’d talked it through and all was good, but seeing everyone gathered together has him wound up again.
And he’s currently in a recliner with his head buried in his hands, probably thinking through worst-case scenarios. He is related to me.
Daphne hurries in with Bailey in tow. “I brought help.”
Bailey lifts his head, moves his hands to the side, and straddles his lap. “Look at me, Fred. You can’t worry about this. He’ll be here. Mason is your best friend. Nothing will get in the way of his standing beside you at the ceremony.”
Fred wraps his arms around her. “I just keep thinking of all the things that could go wrong.”
She gets nose to nose with him. “Stop doing that.”
Daphne tugs me toward the door, and we slip into the house, leaving Bailey to work her calming magic.
“She’s his person. And she always seems to say the right thing to him.” Daphne guides me through the house and out the front door.
“Are we leaving? I thought we were cohosting this shindig.” I follow her to our truck.
She drops the tailgate and turns to face me. “We aren’t leaving. I just want to talk for a minute. Will you help me up?”
I lift her into the bed, then laugh at the old throw pillows piled in the back. “How long a minute were you wanting to spend out here?” I reach for the buttons on my shirt, trying to draw a laugh.
And it works. “If you do that, we’ll be unfashionably late. And we’ll likely embarrass both of our kids.” She sits at the edge, letting her feet dangle. “Those are for later. Alice is staying the night with Lucy over at Matthew and Tandy’s, and I thought we might drive out to our spot.”
“I am on board with that idea.” I sit beside her and snake an arm around her waist. “What’s up? Why are we out here away from the party? Is something bothering you?” I pause, then look at her. “Are you pregnant?”
“No. I’m not pregnant. Two is perfect.”
“Three if you count Oreo.”
“Even as old as she is now, she thinks she’s a baby.” Daphne rests her head on my shoulder. “I hope Mason makes it in time. I didn’t want Fred to get any hint that I was worried.”
“He’ll be here.” Enough people are concerned that adding my worries won’t make a difference, so I hand out assurances instead.
“How are you doing? It’s hard to believe that gangly teen is now a grown man who’s about to get married.”
“I blinked, and years zipped by. Seeing the way he and Bailey are together makes me appreciate this place even more. When Fred and I moved to Stargazer Springs, we had no way of knowing that we’d both find love here.
Ours was an instant attraction. Theirs was a friendship that grew into something more. ”
Daphne grins. “Remember that August when he was leaving for school, and Bailey came to see him off? When he hugged her for so long before finally getting in the truck, I knew.”
“There was definitely a little spark that day. And when he came home for Christmas?—”
“Then it was more than a little spark. And they’ve been together ever since.”
I pull her into my lap. “Are you ready for your mother-son dance?”
“I think so, but hopefully he doesn’t expect me to do it without tears. Because crying is a given.”
“Fred wouldn’t have it any other way.” I kiss her forehead. “Thank you for being a great mom to him.” I run my fingers through her hair. “And to Alice, but she’s not getting married right now. Not for a long while, hopefully.”
“I’m happy, Carson. Really happy.”
“I can tell.” I brush a tear off her cheek. “I’m happy too. Life turned out to be way better than I deserve.”
“Phooey. You deserve all of it. You’re amazing, and I love you, Carson Blake.”
Thanks for reading! Catch up with Mason and read about his unexpected road trip in More Than a Coincidence .