My mouth drops open. “I do not always?—”
“Will you go?” she interrupts, fixing me with the look that’s won her plenty of extra cookies and late bedtimes over the years.
I hesitate as I look at Dylan. He’s watching me, expression unreadable, like he’s waiting for my answer the same as Mad, and before I can overthink it, I roll my eyes and fight back a smile. “Doesn’t sound like I have much choice. But I’m picking the place.”
“Yes!” Madison grins. “My second wish is for Dylan to come swimming with me before it gets dark.”
And then she’s gone, towel flying behind her like a cape as she races for the lake.
I barely have time to breathe before Dylan pushes back from the table. He glances down at me, eyes lingering on mine a second too long, and it feels strangely like Mad wasn’t the only one to have won that argument.
“Smart kid,” Chase says, shaking his head with a laugh.
Too smart.
I stare after them, the warmth of Dylan’s eyes on me just now clings to my skin the same way every one of his touches does. Maybe a fake date with Dylan isn’t the worst way to spend an evening. Only it doesn’t feel fake at all. Not with the way he just looked at me. Not with the way I wanted to look back.
THIRTY
IZZY
Before I can think any more about my fake date, I spot two familiar figures cutting through the trees. I leap from my chair to greet them. “Mom, Dad, you made it.” I smile, glad to see them, and yet my stomach is already knotting, wondering what they want to talk to me about. There’s always something.
Mom is dressed in her usual pressed slacks and silk blouse. Dad is trying to brush the dust from his white shirt and chinos. Both of them look out of place and uncomfortable amid the rugged beauty of the ranch.
“Isobel, you look well,” Mom says, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. “Are you wearing makeup? Very pretty.”
“Thank you,” I reply, trying and failing not to hear the words she doesn’t say.For a change.
I lead them over to the tables and make the introductions. The Sullivans are welcoming and friendly, and even though my parents are polite and thank Mama for the invitation to her ranch, I can tell they’d rather not be here.
“David got head of plastic surgery! Did you hear?” Mom announces when it’s just the three of us. “We’re all so thrilled for your brother. Now, how are things here?”
“Great,” I say, launching into telling them about Moonlight’s foaling and the success of the last auction. They nod along for a minute before Mom nudges an elbow to Dad’s side and my words trail off.
“Show her the brochure,” she says.
“What brochure?” I ask.
Dad pulls a glossy booklet from the inside pocket of his jacket. “We’ve found the most amazing school for Madison,” he says, the words bouncing like he’s found the solution to a problem I didn’t know existed.
I swallow. Remind myself that my parents love me. They love Madison. They only want what they see is best for us both. My voice is light as I reply. “She goes to a school she likes already.” Although even as I say it, I realize she’ll need to move schools now anyway. Her old school is out near Bill’s ranch.
“But this one is really something.” Mom beams, cutting through my thoughts as she flips the brochure open and hands it to me, tapping the page before I’ve even looked. “It has an incredible academic program, the best extracurriculars, and it has a full equestrian center. Weekly riding lessons, show-jumping facilities. She’ll still be around horses, which we know she loves.” The last part is added like they’re making a concession.
They fall silent as I stare at the pictures of happy children in immaculate uniforms and beaming smiles. “It does look amazing,” I admit. “And expensive. I can speak to Hooper about the tuition, but he’s always liked the idea of Madison having a normal childhood.”
“Don’t bother asking that boy for anything,” Dad says as Mom jumps in.
“We want to pay,” she says, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.
“That’s what we wanted to tell you,” Dad continues. “We want Madison to have the very best chance at an amazing future. And we think this school would be perfect for her.”
I force down the resentment trying to rise to the surface. “It feels like what you’re saying is that you don’t think Madison will have an amazing future if she continues as she is.”With me. Here.
Dad shakes his head, offering me a smile. “That’s not it, Isobel. But you have to remember, I grew up on a ranch. You didn’t. I know how challenging ranch life can be. It’s commendable, Izzy, and we know you love it. Growing up with two parents working every hour of the day is hard enough. But only having one parent makes everything so much harder. This school offers Madison so many fantastic opportunities she can’t have living on a ranch.”
“We only want what’s best for Madison,” Mom adds.
