Jackie blurted, “Youhave a reason. You’re like the most pregnant I’ve ever seen a person. But I swear Estelle glitched in a state of premenstrual syndrome.”
Estelle quipped. “I just have a big heart.”
“Pretty soon the only sister I’ll have left is this big cry baby.”
“Hey! You’re going to hurt my feelings.”
I scolded Jackie. “That’s not very nice.”
Jackie shrugged but hurt flared in her eyes. Bea must’ve seen it too, because she squeezed my hand. “You know, Meadowbrook could always use a cowgirl, if you want to escape data entry.”
She huffed. “I’m not that desperate. There’s no men here, and I need a man.”
“You wouldlikea man,” Estelle corrected.
Jackie’s eyes disappeared into her skull but, for once, she didn’t have a comeback.
“I know plenty of eligible cowboys on some nearby ranches.” Bea said, swiping a hand over herginormousbelly. “I could hook you up.”
“I’ll pass. Thanks.” She scrunched her nose. “I go after white collar now, preferably corporate.”
“Yikes.” I grimaced. “Good luck.”
Estelle butt in. “I’ll take one of your cowboys, Bea.”
I added, “How about Cooper?”
Bea’s eyes went wide. “No. I could never get behind that.”
Jackie shuddered, looking downright disgusted by the suggestion. “I cannot stand that guy.”
I shook my head, placing my hand over my heart. “I have a special place in my heart for Cooper. He’s so sweet, he just never lets anyone see it.”
Bea shook her head. “He’s got some growing up to do.”
The conversation moved on from Cooper, but my mind lingered on him. Over the past few months, he’d become a friend. He quickly devouredWhere the Crawdads Sing, despite the romantic subplot. Hediscovered he enjoyed thrillers and was currently making his way through Freida McFadden’s backlist. The public library in Austin worked with the rehabilitation center to provide their residents with books. And Cooper turned out to be a surprisingly voracious reader. Often, he wrote letters to tell me what he was reading and ask for recommendations. I was thankful for our friendship and rooting for his happily-ever-after one day.
Sarah wandered over, nibbling on a leftover red velvet cupcake Mom made for my birthday.
Jackie barked. “If I had to put a bet on the next person moving to Texas, I’d put my money on Peter. He’s been wallowing in self-pity ever since Bea moved away.”
Sarah, looking gorgeous in a wine-red long-sleeved dress, hummed. “He really has. He misses you so much, Bea.”
That made Bea look a little sad. “You guys could always move. There’s a cute house for sale right in Comfort.”
Sarah’s ironed-in curls bounced when she laughed. “Don’t tell Peter. He’ll call a realtor.”
Mom chimed in from across the room. “No! No more of my children are allowed to move to Texas.” She wagged her finger at Bea. “I’m putting my foot down. Two isplenty.Stop recruiting!”
Jackie looked over her shoulder at Mom. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll never abandon you.”
Pretty soon, it was time for me to get in the hair-chair and Estelle zoomed in on my Pinterest inspiration picture then got to work. The fun chatter with my sisters gave way to relentless butterflies as I realized I’d be married in a couple short hours and whisked away to my honeymoon—which would only be a three night stay in San Antonio, but I wouldn’t have been more excited to go to a luxury resort.
All I wanted was Jesse.
Because the wedding was so last minute, not all of Jesse’s family could make it. But I had the pleasure of meeting a few of his siblings, his parents, Daniel and Meredith Holmes,andLaurel’s parents, Jim and Shelley McCarthey. Shelley had big tears in her eyes when I met her that morning but she hugged me tight and whispered,“I’ve been hopinghe would find you.”
Shelley clearly missed her daughter, but she loved Jesse like a son and sheadoredCade. Her joy was a gift to Jesse. I witnessed a burden roll off his shoulders after Shelley and I embraced. Her inner light and tear-filled eyes blessed the ranch—and we would’ve missed her had she not come.
