A weak smile tugs at her mouth.
“But when it decides you’re one of ours,” I continue, “it shows up. I wanted you to have that.”
Her eyes go wet fast.
Behind her, Ivy calls out, “Delaney! Honey!”
Olivia waves, and Sloane’s already crying.
The ranch hands cheer.
Delaney’s face crumples.
She tries to smile through it. Tries to hold it in. She’s afraid that being too much will make people regret showing up.
But she doesn’t get to.
Because Sadie throws her arms around Delaney’s waist and squeezes, anchoring her.
Delaney drops the grocery bags and covers her mouth.
A sob breaks out of her, raw and startled. She wasn’t expecting happiness to hit this hard.
My chest tightens.
For one terrible second, I worry we overwhelmed her.
Then she laughs through the tears, breathless and disbelieving.
“This is…” she chokes. “This is too much.”
“It’s exactly enough,” I say, and I mean it.
Her eyes lock with mine before she steps into me and wraps her arms around my middle.
I rest my hand on the back of her head, fingers sinking into her hair.
“You’re safe,” I murmur.
“I know,” she whispers back. “I know. I just… I didn’t think I’d ever have this.”
I don’t trust my voice, so I just hold her.
Silas makes a choking sound behind us. “Okay. I’m gonna pretend I have allergies.”
Caleb mutters, “You do. To sincerity.”
“Shut up,” Silas whispers back.
Delaney pulls away, wiping at her cheeks, trying to get control of herself. She turns slowly, looking at the tables, the lights, the people.
She’s seeing a different life than the one she thought she deserved.
Ivy approaches first, arms open. “Come here, sweetheart.”
Delaney goes into her hug, and Ivy squeezes her tight.
“You did good,” Ivy tells her fiercely. “You’re ours now.”
