“The sisters and me.” It was how Ruby and I had started referring to Summer, Autumn, Junie, and Wynter. We also included Scarlett, since she was so close with them all. “He said you had a crappy week, and we wanted to cheer you up.”
I blinked. Confusion mingled with astonishment to rob all the words from my brain.
“But it’s okay if you have other plans,” she rushed on. “We don’t want to bother you.”
“No.” Panic welled, threatening to spill over. I couldn’t ruin this. But also, I didn’t know what else to do. “Sorry, I’m not used to getting invited anywhere.”
“Technically, we’re inviting ourselves over.”
“If Teller doesn’t mind, it’d be fun to have you all over.” Excitement simmered. The sisters—Ruby included—likely wouldn’t bail or make the night miserable for me, but I would stay in a holding pattern. I’d wait and see. My caution had been trained too well.
“Great! I’ll let them know. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ve got it all handled—food and drinks.”
When we disconnected, I flew out of bed. I might not want to get excited and be let down, but I also didn’t want to risk greeting all the sisters with bedhead and morning breath. I tossed on a pair of jean shorts and a loose, plain pink shirt, then zipped through the bathroom. After my hair was brushed, I sat to braid it but my nerves got the best of me.
Instead, I secured it in a loose bun on the top of my head and rushed downstairs. Like a kid waiting for Santa in the middle of July, I peered out the window. The green trees that dotted the foothills stood stark against the blue sky and white puffy clouds.
I sent Teller a text.I hear I’m going to get swarmed by women.
Teller: I’m surrounded by ass.
He sent a picture of a donkey in a pasture. A horse’s ears punctuated the bottom of the picture. He’d mentioned that Tate had started using donkeys as cattle guardians. They were hell on predators.
Me: It’s been ages since I’ve ridden.
Teller: I’ll take you anytime.
Me: Not sure my PTSD will make it fun.
Teller: Any time you want to make new memories, I’m your guy.
My heart grew three times its size. Any more of that and the damn thing wouldn’t fit in my chest.
Me: Maybe someday.
Teller: Have fun with my sisters. Junie just came and raided Mama’s bourbon supply.
The corner of my mouth tipped up.
Me: I’m day drinking with a famous country singer?
Teller: She might come up with a new song.
I giggled. When I looked up, three pickups were ambling up the long driveway.
Me: They’re here.
Teller: Relax and have fun.
My stomach flipped. There were no kids to go play with to avoid making awkward small talk. It’d be me, quiet in a corner, while they all talked and laughed about inside jokes.
“It’ll be fine,” I muttered and rushed to open the garage door so they could come through the house.
“Mad-i-son!” Junie sang as she jumped out of a dusty ranch pickup. “We have croissants and bourbon!”
Did those two things go together? “Brunch and bourbon?”
Autumn climbed out the other side of the pickup. Another truck parked next to them on the cement pad. Wynter and Ruby. Summer and Scarlett were in the third pickup parking behind them.
