Bailey smiled. “My life’s goal is to catch that man off guard.”
Lettie sidled up next to him, leaning into his side as he wrapped an arm around her. I hadn’t even noticed her cross the room. “Oh, that’s your life’s goal, is it?”
Bailey leaned over to press a kiss to her cheek. “That, and ruining every surface on this ranch.”
Lennon made a gagging noise, a dribble of beer sliding down his chin. He wiped at it with the back of his hand. “I do not need to know that shit.”
Bailey’s smile only grew as he took a sip of beer.
“Beck,” Lettie said, grabbing my attention. “You okay?”
I looked down to find a furrow in her brows. “Yeah. All good.”
She always worried about her brothers, the same way we were all protective of her. But the past few months, her check-ins had become more frequent.
I guess that’s what happened when I lost myself to alcohol.
“He’s just a little distracted,” Bailey chimed in.
Confusion marred Lettie’s forehead before her eyes followed the direction I was facing. Realization replaced the creases. “Oh.”
I shook my head. “No. Don’t ‘oh’ me like that. There’s nothing going on.”
“She’s living in your house,” Lennon pointed out.
“Thanks for the reminder.” I shot him a glare.
“Are you guys—” Lettie started, but I cut her off before she could finish that question.
“No.” I tugged my cowboy hat lower. “She needed a place to stay, and I have an extra room. It’s as simple as that.”
“Is it ever as simple as that between you and Parker?” Bailey mumbled into his drink before tossing it back.
“Yes,” I said at the exact same moment Lettie answered, “No.”
We sent twin glares at each other.
“You guys are insufferable,” I muttered.
The front door opened, and Brandy popped her head in. “The reveal is ready!”
Sage’s face lit up as Callan intertwined their fingers, immediately leading them outside. Parker’s gaze met mine briefly before she followed Oakley out. My feet were moving before I could think to stop them, and I heard Bailey utter behind me, “It’s definitely not that simple.”
While we all gathered outside, I didn’t even try to hide the fact that I was searching for Parker. As soon as Ifound her, I made my way over and didn’t stop until I was by her side.
“You doing okay?” I asked, my hand brushing hers. “Do you need anything?”
“I’m okay,” she whispered, eyes trained on the barn ahead of us.
“If you need a minute…”
She shook her head, pinky nudging my hand.
Seconds later, the doors to the barn were shoved open by Reed and Brandy, and little shrieks of excitement came from the girls. Brandy held a thumbs up past the doors, and hooves sounded. Slow at first, and then they picked up to a trot before Avery appeared on Boots, the horse Callan got her. She had the biggest smile on her face as she emerged from the barn, pink balloons billowing behind her where they were attached to the back of the saddle.
Cheers and clapping sounded from the group, my mom and dad turning to hug each other. Tears filled the former’s eyes while my dad smiled wide as ever. Sage and Callan instantly ran for Avery, where she pulled Boots to a stop. Callan reached up and swooped her down, spinning her in his arms before the three of them hugged.
My brother was having a girl.
