“No plan.Just an apology.Just showing up for her the way no one else has in her life.”
“And that’s sweet and all but what about the flowers?What about the grand gesture?”
“I’m kind of hoping I’m gesture enough?Is that stupid?”Now it’s my turn to panic.“Oh fuck, this is a stupid plan.”
“It’s not stupid, it might actually be perfect, after all.”My sister wraps her arms around me, and I think she surprises us both as she squeezes me tightly.“But just FYI, every woman wants flowers, so you should definitely stop in at a florist before you see her.Nothing cheap, West.Roses, or peonies.”
“Got it.I’ll spring for the good stuff.”
“Will you come back?You have to come back, right?I mean, my baby needs a cousin around.”Her eyes glitter with tears.
“That depends on what Daisy wants.”
“I know you’ve always wanted to get out, but don’t forget about us.”
“How could anyone forget you, little sis?”
She smiles and sniffs back tears.“Well, I am fairly remarkable.”
I chuckle.“I do have to get going though.”
“I know.”
“You go easy on your husband, he’s gonna have enough shit to deal with from Wade and Wyatt.”I clap Colt on the back, head for my truck and say, “You take care of my boy.”
Lemon’s smile vanishes as she looks between Colt and me.“What boy?”
As if on cue, Ham snorts and throws himself against the barn door, wanting out.
“Oh, no,” Lemon says.“We are not taking that thing.”
Colt shrugs.“I already promised, Lemonade.”
She rolls her eyes.“Where is he gonna live?”
“In the barn we just built for your mini cows.”
“No!It’s all pretty and pristine.He can’t mess that up.”
I frown and glance at Colt.“Y’all are getting mini cows?”
Lemon shrugs.“What?They’re cute.Shouldn’t you be getting on the road now?”
I laugh.“Yep.I reckon I should.”
“Call us when you get there,” my sister says.
“Okay, Mama.”I wink and climb in the truck, then I roll down the window and hang out, “Oh and, Lemon, Maybe give it a rest in the bedroom.Colt’s so fucking sore from riding you that he can barely climb on his horse.”
Her mouth drops open, and she whacks her husband.I laugh as I pull out of the drive “Be seeing ya both.”
***
It’s a little aftermidday when my phone tells me to take a left turn onto a street with high-rises.Straggly trees dot the sidewalk, their roots stunted by all that pavement.Everywhere, people turn their heads to eyeball my noisy, beat-up truck.If there was a way to stick out more than a sore thumb, I reckon I’d be doing it.
“You have arrived at your destination,” my GPS announces, as I find a park in front of the building.
I glance around at the suits, the traffic, and the busy shops and bars.“The hell I have.”
