“She’s coming.”
My stomach flips. I’m sixteen again and about to get caught doing something stupid.
“Positions,” Ivy calls out.
I don’t even question it. I just move.
We line up near the porch. Sadie bounces in front, practically vibrating out of her boots. Caleb stands slightly behind me, steady. Silas is beside him, grinning, about to detonate.
The truck comes up the drive.
Delaney steps out with grocery bags in her arms.
And stops.
Because the ranch looks… amazing.
Lights. Tables. People.
Music humming low from the speakers. The smell of grilled food and fresh bread in the air. Voices. Laughter.
Her eyes widen.
Her breath catches.
She looks down at the bags in her arms as if she might’ve walked into the wrong timeline.
Then she looks at me.
“What…” she starts. “What is this?”
Sadie doesn’t let her drown in confusion.
She sprints forward and grabs Delaney’s hand, tugging her toward the porch, bringing her home.
“It’s for you!” Sadie announces, loud enough that the whole damn ranch hears. “It’s your welcome!”
Delaney stares at her. “My?—”
“Welcome party,” Silas supplies, smug.
Delaney’s gaze flicks to him, then to Caleb, then back to me, trying to find the trick.
“I thought we were having dinner,” she says softly.
“We are,” I tell her. “But… more.”
She swallows, eyes shining already.
I step closer so she can hear me without all the noise. “I wanted you to see it,” I say. “That you’re not just working here. You’re not just… passing through.”
Her throat works. “Boone…”
I don’t give a speech. I can’t. Not with her looking at me in that way.
So I keep it simple.
“This town can be loud,” I say. “And nosy. And a pain in the ass.”
