"I'll text you if Dan and Katherine change plans, otherwise they'll be here between nine and ten to pick her up."
I nodded. "Sounds good."
"Go ahead and pack her for two days just in case she stays."
"I'll be leaving by then, and I want to see her," I said.
"Oh, yeah, that's right. Whatever you think."
I hugged my sister and told her goodnight, but I felt frustrated. I was mad at myself that I couldn’t tell her I had plans.
I got a call from Alex at midnight.
"Hello?" I said, picking up the phone.
"Hey," he said.
His voice. I had said one small word, and I loved it so much.
"I finally have my trailer to myself."
"I'm amazed at how hard you work. I can't believe that whole process."
"Did you like it?"
"I loved it. I'm stunned at how big it was. I didn't know you built that big dancehall building on the ranch. That was perfect."
"It just got built. The Sutters did that. Henry's dad felt bad about our setback last year, and he used the extra time to build it for us."
"That’s so nice," I said.
"I know. He said he would use it in the future, but still."
"You must have secured your budget. It seems like everything was really well done. The equipment and everything is so nice. Your trailers, too."
"Thank you. Wait till you see the wagons. I'm very thankful. I made some pretty daring moves on the stock market that worked out, and I also got a really good investor."
"Who is it?"
"It's my grandfather, but he thinks I don't know. He swore he wouldn't do it so soon, but he saw my returns on some things, and he… he's doing it under someone else his name to make it seem like it's not him."
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Yes, I am. I couldn't make that up," he said, laughing.
"Do you know for sure it's him?"
"Yes, and he jumped through hoops to make sure I didn't find out. He has no idea I know."
"Why did he do it like that?"
"I don't know. I tried to figure out his motives, but it's not really worth it. I'm sure he'll break down and tell me the truth once I get a deal with a streaming company. He gave me access to more thanI asked for. Plus, Henry's dad with the building. And I made my own money. We're in a lot better place than we were last year at this time."
"That's amazing," I said.
"We got a really good shot of us tonight on that second dance."
"Oh, yeah?"
