“For you. For all of us. Seeing Dylan working the ranch these past weeks, it’s made me realize the house is part of that life. Which is how it should be. But I don’t want to be woken at the crack of dawn by the sound of Dylan in the kitchen, and you”—she nods to Jake and Harper—“want your own space whenyou’re here. I love it when all three of you are home, but you’re grown men now and we’re all living on top of each other. This way, we’ll all get our own space but still have our homes on the ranch.”
“You’re still planning to cook dinner for all of us, though, right?” Chase asks, shooting a look at Dylan. “No offense, Dyl, but Mama’s cooking is way better than yours.”
“Says the boy who buys vegetable-flavored ice cream,” Dylan retorts before turning to Mama. “The ranch house is your home, Mama. I don’t want you to feel you have to?—”
“I don’t have to do anything. This is what I want. A gorgeous, newly built house overlooking the lake. My own space, too. You realize I’ve never lived alone? My first home was here with your dad. Then you boys came along. I like the idea of some peace finally.”
“Anything to get away from the smell of Dylan after a day with the horses,” Jake says with a chuckle.
“That too,” Mama agrees, joining in the laughter before turning to Madison. “Seems like there’s a lot of wishing going on tonight, Madison. What are you wishing for, honey?”
Madison tilts her head to one side, licking ketchup from her fingers. All eyes are on her, and I’m already preparing myself for whatever dessert-related answer is coming. Probably an entire factory of ice cream.
Except I’m wrong.
Madison lifts her chin, her eyes bright with certainty. “I wish Dylan and my mom would get married so I could stay on Oakwood Ranch forever.”
“Mad!” I gasp, wishing the earth would swallow me up.
“What?” She shrugs, completely oblivious to the fact that she’s just thrown a grenade onto the table. “That’s what I wish for.”
I rake over my thoughts for a reply, a way to make this less embarrassing without hurting her feelings, to squash her wish without destroying her.
Then Chase bursts out laughing. “Mad, come on. Dylan’s way too grumpy to marry anyone but an old boot.”
“Hey.” Dylan shoots him a dark look that has the rest of the table doubling over.
Madison giggles, but there’s a wobble to her bottom lip, like maybe she’s thinking of her dad and what she was supposed to be doing tonight. Like maybe she’s been let down enough times. Is it any wonder she’s looking for a way to keep hold of the fun she’s having tonight? My heart clenches.
I reach for her hand beneath the table and squeeze. “We don’t need anyone else when we’ve got each other,” I say quietly.
“People don’t just get married, Mad,” Dylan says. “Even if it’s to old boots.”
“Yeah,” Harper says, shooting him a pointed look everyone but Mad sees. “They go on dates first and get to know each other.”
Mad’s lips twitch as she turns back to Dylan. “OK, then I wish you and my mom would go on a date.”
Dylan raises his brows at me before focusing back on Mad. “If I ask your mom on a date, that would make your wish come true?”
Mad nods, her grin wide now.
“She might say no,” he warns gently.
“I’m saying yes for her. When are you going on your date?” she pushes.
Dylan hesitates.
“Next week?” she asks.
“Sure,” he says with a slow nod, sounding suddenly unsure.
“Where will you go?”
He shoots me a look that practically begs for rescue. And even though a part of me wants to let him stew in this, I owe him for cheering Mad up tonight.
“Hey, no one’s askedmeabout this date,” I say, trying to sound offended. “I can handle my own love life, thanks.”
Madison lifts her chin. “You always say you make bad decisions. So I’m making this one for you.”
