Page 34 of Wrangled and Tangled (Raven Peak Ranch #1)

T he next morning, we’re all piling into the truck to head to the farmers market in town. It’s a long stretch of old railroad station that’s been converted into a market where farmers sell their goods.

Lucy’s booth is stuffed to the brim with flowers every week, colorful blooms with long stems ready to be made into bouquets.

As we walk, people look at Heath with wide eyes, and part of me wonders if it’s because of the media’s coverage of Levi’s death or because he’s a rodeo champion.

The smell of freshly baked goodies permeates the air as we walk by booths offering bread, cookies, even some macaroons. Soap makers, fresh garden veggies, gourmet cheese, butchered meats, everything anyone could need.

“Hi, girls!” Lucy hollers, waving Briar and Pen down. “Build some bouquets for me, would ya?”

They giggle the whole time, bundling flowers together so Lucy can sell them premade. Heath and I walk around, checking out the other vendors and saying hello. Purchasing some steaks and cheese, we make the rounds heading back to Lucy’s booth.

The girls have made three bouquets, which are already being sold to customers.

Lucy looks happy, which makes me smile. She deserves to move on, though I know it’s not going to be easy.

She’s going to have good days and bad, but ultimately, I think she’s going to be just fine.

I’m sure part of her swift recovery is because she now knows that Levi lied to her for the whole of their fling.

Learning someone wasn’t who you thought they were can certainly add painful clarity in the face of their death, and moving on doesn’t feel quite as hard or daunting.

“Here,” she hands Briar and Pen one of their own bouquets split into two and looks at me, “I’ll see y’all later.”

With a wink, she’s greeting new customers, and the girls are heading out. Heath and I follow the girls to the truck so we can all enjoy a full breakfast from Mawmaw’s diner. When we’re finished, we have a few things to pick up from the store before getting ready for Briar’s birthday cookout later.

The girls go nuts at the store, piling things into the cart, stating the absolute necessity of the items.

Logically, I know some of these aren’t needed, but my girl only turns sixteen once.

Since Pen is in town, we’re celebrating tonight. Briar invited her friends over to the ranch for a cookout, and Heath’s been helping set up tables and chairs while Pen and Briar decorate with all the things we bought earlier.

They seem to be getting along better than last night, and I’m still trying to figure out the best way to approach Briar about what happened at Clara’s.

“Dad!” Briar hollers from across the backyard. “Where’s the backdrop for the photo booth?”

“It’s in the house, I’ll put it together,” Heath says, placing the last chair and heading inside. Passing by me, I catch him around the waist to stop him.

“Thank you,” I whisper, knowing Briar’s been on a teenage rampage all morning.

He smiles and brushes a kiss over my lips–it’s quick and light. Still, Briar doesn’t miss it.

“Awwww!” Her and Pen sing in unison.

Heath smiles wide, teeth shining, cheeks flushed. Shaking my head, I turn to the girls and give them my best ‘stop it’ dad look, and they hurry back to decorating the tables.

I’ve pulled the grill out, and Uncle Scott’s supposed to be bringing the beer for the adults. It wouldn’t be a cookout without it. Mawmaw seasoned and pattied the hamburgers last night, and the local butcher delivered the hotdogs not long ago. My fridge is officially full.

Once all of the tables are decorated to Briar’s liking, the girls disappear into the house to get ready.

Lucy and Mawmaw drive up, parking in the grass in front of the house.

Lucy’s carrying a small box wrapped in newspaper.

It’s been a running joke that it’s the best wrapping paper for gifts in our family for years.

Slowly, the family starts to trickle in as Heath finishes setting up the photo booth, and Briar makes her entrance. She’s wearing a short dress Mawmaw must have bought for her. It’s sequined and has tassels hanging off it. She’s wearing a new pair of bright blue boots and a matching hat.

“You look beautiful, Flower,” I tell her as she descends the stairs. Placing a kiss on the top of her head, she glows, and I know Pearl would be over the moon proud of her.

Heath flips on the string lights we’d strung up yesterday as the sun starts it’s descent.

Before long, the backyard is filled with people all here to celebrate Briar.

The photo booth flashes, people eat and drink, we’ve got music and people dancing.

All while Briar flits about with the biggest smile on her face.

“I think you did good, Daddy,” Heath says from behind me, leaning his body into my shoulders.

“You’re a brat, you know that?” I ask, turning my head so he can hear me.

He laughs. The sound’s like warm honey dripping into my veins.