“Stability,” he announces, bracing his hands on his hips. “That’s all you gotta prove to a judge or a court. You ain’t got to prove anything else about your life to the Montgomerys, but if they take you to court to pursue this, stability will save you.”
I nod my head. “Okay. You got a hundred grand I can borrow?”
He shakes his head. “Okay, so the first step of the stability plan is… you gotta win the rodeo, Landry.”
I roll my eyes. “Why in the hell do you think I entered? To humiliate my old ass in a failed comeback andnotwin the money?” I shake my head, frustrated and stressed. “I know I need to win.” Sadie flashes through my mind, those Elsa jammies and her little stompin’ foot. “I will win,” I amend, and I mean it.
Damn it, do I ever mean it.
“Okay, but… how do we get you stable?” Love asks, peeling the wax paper from a fresh blueberry muffin. “Eat this now, I know you didn’t eat this morning and with news like this, you’ll be sick if you don’t.”
She’s not wrong. I don’t normally skip breakfast, but ever since Quinn arrived to make this movie, the reality of my situation has really unfolded, and deep down, I’m goddamn nervous. Too nervous to eat in the morning.
“Well, for financial stability, yougottawin,” Tate says.
“I will,” I grumble. “I thought we moved past that.”
“Okay, well, next up, family stability.”
I swallow a mouthful of tea to wash down the muffin. “It’s an insult, you know?” The backs of my eyes sting. “Ilove my daughter more than anything in the world, and I’m a good daddy. I take good care of her.”
“We know you do, honey,” Love says, her voice so syrupy and sad that I’m liable to burst into tears right here. But I straighten my spine and set my focus on my best friend, because he’s gonna help me figure this out. That’s why I came here. That’s why he’s my best friend. It’s why we planned to raise our families together and work together. Because he’s a good man, and that’s what you want by your side through life, and on the ranch.
“So the sidin’ is bad and the AC doesn't work, hell, I know I need to get those things fixed, but… it doesn’t mean I don’t love Sadie, and it sure as hell doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a great life.” I refuse to second-guess my child’s happiness. Sadie loves everything about life. “She would be miserable out of the county, in the city, with them.”
“Yes, she would,” Tate agrees. “And this ain’t about what’s best for Sadie, same way it was never about what Amelia wanted, either, all those times they tried to get her to leave.”
The three of us are silent for a few moments after the mention of Amelia. Pain stretches through my chest and climbs into my limbs, and I bring my hand to my face and scrub, taking a deep breath.
“None of that matters. Right now, you just need… family stability. That’s what they’re basically saying they’re offering that you can’t give.”
“How do I obtain that?” I point the question at Tate.
He answers easily. “Get married.”
“No.” My response is immediate. “I’m not even— I don’t date. I’m not puttin’ Sadie through me marrying some woman to pretend we’re a family. That sounds… awful.”
“As awful as losing Sadie?” Love’s question is poignant, delivered in her soft tone.
“Look, remarrying is the most obvious solution. Small-town judges favor traditional setups in custody cases.”
“That’s… crazy. Who would agree to marry me anyway, if we ain’t in love and I’m poorer than dirt?”
Love pats my hand. “You won’t be poor forever. This is a season. You’re gonna get through it.”
“You've been sayin’ that for years,” I sigh, but I know she’s right. I have to believe she’s right, because without hope for better, what else is left?
“You gotta get married. Play real happy and lovey with someone until you win the rodeo, pay off your debt, and get the Montgomerys off your back.” Tate stops pacing and plops his hat back on his head. “That’s the plan. That’s what you gotta do.”
I scratch the side of my unshaved jaw, realizing it’s been too long since I’ve shaved clean. A week and a half, maybe? “Who might I marry in this grand plan?”
Tate shrugs and looks at Love. Love taps her chin. “I don’t have an answer for that just yet, but give me a day or two, okay?”
I push away from the kitchen island, and though it’s only been a handful of minutes since I shoved in here with a crisis on my hands and tears in my eyes, I do feel a bit better.
I don’t like the idea of a fake, disingenuous relationship, but I’d die if I lost my girl. I would. My heart just… wouldn't beat without her.
I’m sure of it.
