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When we’re all done with dancing, we return to our table to find Birdie waiting with drinks for everyone.

“That was…” she wheezes through her laughter, “the best thing I’ve ever seen. Jude, promise me a dance at our weddin’. It can be your present to everyone.”

“Hey, I got better,” he says, sounding a little disgruntled.

“Yes, you did.” She pats his head. “So much so, it won’t just be your present to me, but my present to you . I’ll happily take the floor with you for a dance anytime.”

His shoulders lift and I can’t help but grin. “OK. You’re on. Add me to your dance card.”

After some more teasing of everyone by everyone, I catch Derrick Wilson making his way toward us.

Will and Case straighten, drawing their shoulders back as if preparing for whatever this Wilson is going to throw at us.

“Derrick,” I say looking up to greet him when he comes to a stop at our table.

“Hey, Isla. Case.” He lifts his chin and looks around the rest of the group, his eyes lingering on Will for a moment before he takes a deep breath. “Listen, I know this might not be the best time, but I wanted to talk to y’all without any of my family members around.”

Will leans back in his chair. “What’s on your mind, Derrick?”

“I wanted to apologize for my Dad’s behavior toward you.

He’s been… well, he’s held a grudge against anyone with the last name Cooper for a long time now.

Hell, my grandaddy and his dad before that held it too.

I thought it would go away but it’s startin’ to become an issue now that you Coopers are back on the mountain. ”

I tilt my head, curious. “What do you mean? Our grandfather was there for years before we arrived.”

“He was away for a while too, remember. Things were fine when it was just Wilsons up there. Now you Coopers are back, Dad’s not takin’ it well.

” He sighs, looking a bit uncomfortable.

“Look, I know our families have had their differences in the past and I know a bit about it, and I’m guessin’ y’all do too? ” The guys all nod.

“We know some,” Will replies.

“And slowly discoverin’ more and more as time goes on,” Sutton finishes.

Case leans forward, his brows furrowing. "What’s the issue, Derrick? Why is he so stuck on this? Isn’t it all in the past? It all stems from at least three generations ago."

“It’s definitely before all of our time, that’s for sure,” Jude adds.

" I don't know all the details. I just know what I’ve been told. Seems like there was some kind of gentlemen’s agreement between our great-grandfathers.

After Henley died—that was his name, right?

” We all nod. “After he passed, the land was given to my great-great granddaddy Ricky to look after on behalf of Henley’s sons since their mother was grief-stricken for years until her death.

But then somethin’ happened, and Henley’s brothers turned up and refused to leave, effectively renegin’ on the deal.

I don't know what it was about, but I understand that was the start of the bad blood between the Wilsons and the Coopers.”

“I’m confused now. So you’re sayin’ Henley’s brothers—who we haven’t been able to find a record of anywhere—squatted on their own family land until Henley’s sons’ took it over.”

“That would’ve been Ridley, yeah?” Will concludes.

“Yep.” Derrick frowns. “And Dad was Henley’s nephew—Ricky’s grandson.”

“So you’re sayin’ Sully is hell-bent on rightin’ the perceived wrongs of the past?” I ask him.

“I think he’s just villainizin’ anyone remotely related to the Coopers, whether it’s deserved or not,” Derrick replies.

“What are we supposed to do about it?” Will asks. “Henley bein’ married to Marion, and their son bein’ our grandfather, means the Wilsons and the Coopers are distant cousins.”

“That means Ridley and Sully were second cousins?” Wyatt suggests.

Derrick’s eyes widen. “I hadn’t really thought of that till now. Wow.”

Jude snorts. “That was our reaction when we worked it out too. But hey, welcome to the family and all that,” he says with a grin.

Silence falls around the table.

“So, this gentlemen’s agreement. Does that mean the Wilsons—” Derrick opens his mouth to say something but Will continues before he can, “and I mean, back then , not now, they think they have or had a claim to Cooper Ranch?”

“That’s the thing about gentlemen's agreements,” Derrick says. “They’re bound by a handshake and the word of the men who make it.”

“And there’s no way to ever find out what was said or promised,” Sutton adds.

“Not necessarily. There has to be somethin’ about it somewhere .” Derrick’s gaze rounds the group again. “All I’m sayin’ is that instead of standin’ by and lettin’ Dad run y’all back to the city, my brothers and I and all y’all can start lookin’ at ways to set the wrongs of the past right somehow.”

“Or prove there were no wrongs to set right to begin with,” Case adds.

Will’s brows furrow. “We’re not leavin’ though. Ain’t nobody goin’ to be runnin’ us back to the city. We’re here to stay.”

“Glad to hear it.” Derrick’s gaze is full of respect. “But you don’t know Dad. He’s as stubborn as a mule and dedicated to gettin’ what he thinks is owed to our family.”

Now I’m really confused. “What does he think is owed to the Wilsons?”

“He thinks our generation—me and my siblings—are cursed.”

“How?” I ask.

“Why?” Birdie tags on.

“Because we’re all single and unmarried. None of us have found our soulmates.”

“And Sully thinks that’s a curse?” Jude asks, genuinely confused if his expression is anything to go by.

“That’s why he wants what he thinks should be ours.” Derrick looks around the group before dropping the bomb none of us saw coming. “He wants the mountain. The land. The Call. He wants all of it.”