“Do you think she knows?” Clayton asked as he started the engine.
Jamie shook her head. “Not a clue.”
“Knows what?” Charlotte piped up from the back seat.
Clayton hadn’t told the twins about the party, not trusting ten-year-olds to keep a secret. “We got Miss Ruth a cake,” he said smoothly, which wasn’t exactly a lie.
“Duh,” Emily scoffed. “It’s her birthday.”
Clayton parked behind Ruth’s car and everyone climbed out. From the front the house looked quiet, dark, no sign of the party waiting inside. Everything had been set up in the backyard.
Nolan pushed the door open and Ruth stepped in. The moment she crossed the threshold the lights flicked on and a chorus of voices rang out, “Happy birthday!”
She gasped, stumbling back as her hands flew to her chest. “Oh my goodness!”
Laughter rippled through the crowd as friends and family swarmed her, eager to wrap her in warm hugs. Even a few familiar faces from the tour had shown up.
As the excitement settled Birdie and Doc edged forward, carrying something between them. The guests parted just enough for Ruth to see: a stunning leather saddle, her name engraved in elegant script across the flap.
Ruth gasped and reached out, running her fingers over the intricate tooling. “This is beautiful.” Her voice wavered. “I can’t believe it.”
Birdie squeezed her in a one-armed hug. “We know how much you love riding, sugar.”
Tears welled in Ruth’s eyes. “This is the best present ever.”
Doc chuckled, his mustache twitching. “Well now, don’t speak too soon. There’s a better one waiting for you.”
Ruth frowned, but before she could ask the crowd shifted and Sue and Levi stepped forward.
She froze. For a second she didn’t seem to breathe—just stood there staring, as if her mind couldn’t believe what her eyes were seeing. With a sharp inhale she launched forward, throwing her arms around them.
“Mom! Dad!” Her voice cracked. “I can’t believe you’re here!”
Levi laughed, hugging her back. “The good doctor invited us.”
Ruth pulled away just enough to swipe at her tears, shaking her head. “This is the best birthday ever.”
A few feet away Jamie nudged Birdie and said, “Ruth nearly keeled over when she saw everyone.”
Birdie grinned, but then her gaze flicked to Clayton, who was standing off to the side. His eyes weren’t on Ruth, they were locked on Jamie and full of admiration or panic. Or something in between.
Birdie smirked. “Speaking of keeling over,” she murmured, eyes twinkling. “Your dress is fixin’ to give my son a heart attack.”
Jamie bit back a smile. “This old thing?” She spun playfully, the hem of her black dress catching the light just enough to tease a glimpse of her leg.
Clayton swallowed hard and looked away, then looked back just as quickly. His jaw flexed but Jamie caught the way his fingers twitched at his side, like he was fighting the urge to reach for her.
Satisfied, she turned to greet the band and crew. She hadn’t expected to see them here, but they flashed their usual cheeky grins.
“Thanks for coming, guys,” Jamie said.
“Had some time to kill,” Deaner said, tipping back his beer.
“Free booze,” Chico added, lifting his glass with a smirk.
Jamie laughed, but even as she chatted with them she felt it—Clayton’s gaze was still lingering.
Tonight was going to be interesting.
