In one unoccupied room, a stuffed gray elephant sat on the end of the bed. Lifting it, she smiled as the clean baby scent reached her. She adored children and hoped to have some of her own one day—but only if she could provide a safe, comfortable home without having to juggle two or three jobs to make ends meet. She wanted to give them the kind of life she never had—a home in a good neighborhood, a big backyard to play in, and maybe even a pet or two.
Descending halfway down the staircase, she peered around the railing. “Mya? I think I found Elliot.”
The woman bustled into the foyer from the living room. “Oh, thank goodness.”
Ashley’s watery eyes lit up when she spotted the toy Shylo held out. “Ewwiot!” She snatched the elephant and snuggled it close.
“What do you say to Shylo for finding Elliot for you?”
“Tank you, Eyelo.”
Shylo laughed at her shortened name. “You’re welcome, Ashley.” Her gaze shifted to Mya. “I still have to use the bathroom.”
“Go on back up.” Mya followed her up the stairs and carried the toddler into her bedroom while Shylo stepped into the bathroom.
It was almost the size of her motel room, with a soaking tub, separate shower, double vanity, linen closet, and, behind another door, a stacked washer and dryer. It wouldn’t be surprising if an additional laundry area was on the first floor, since the primary bedroom was down there somewhere, most likely behind one of the closed doors she’d seen.
After using the toilet and washing her hands, she went back out into the hallway. More family photographs lined the upstairs hallway, and her jealousy bubbled up again at all the cheerful faces. She tried to imagine herself in some photos at different stages of Shane’s life. It was doubtful his mother would’ve been happy about the product of her husband’s affair, but would Shane have welcomed her? Been the responsible and caring big brother she wished Troy had been when she was younger? Unfortunately, she’d never know.
Mya came out of Ashley’s room and closed the door behind her. “She’s down for the count. Thanks again for finding Elliot.”
She pointed to the open guest room door. “I just peeked inside and saw it on the bed.”
“Probably left him there while bugging her grandpa for pony rides—the real kind, not the ones on his back.”
They descended the stairs together. “It’s so cool they get to grow up with horses,” Shylo said. “I only had the plastic ones on springs at our local park.”
“Well, even though I grew up not far from here, I’ve never been on a horse and don’t plan to get on one in this lifetime. I’m afraid of heights, and that includes sitting on the back of one of those beasts.”
Seth was in the kitchen when they wandered in. “I started to think you got lost in here.”
Shylo shook her head. “Nope. First, there was a line for the bathroom, then I got distracted by all the pictures on the walls, and finally, I helped find Elliot for Ashley.” At least none of that was a lie.
“Ah. The elusive elephant that always seems to go missing right before nap time. Shane bought her an identical one as a backup, but she knows the difference and calls that one ‘bad Ewwiot.’”
“She’s a smart cookie,” Mya said with a laugh on her way out the back door. “Lord help them when she gets older.” She pointed towards the tent. “And speaking of cookies, you two go grab some desserts before they’re gone.”
As Shylo followed Seth into the late-afternoon sun, the warmth on her skin did nothing to ease the weight in her chest. The house, the photographs, the smiling faces—they represented a history tied to her by blood, a legacy that existed whether or not she acknowledged it. But only time would tell if there was a place for her within it—or if she'd always remain an outsider looking in.
Chapter 10
The sun had dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the Red River Ranch as the last of the guests who didn't live there headed home. Paper lanterns swayed from the porch rafters, glowing like fireflies in twilight. The scent of grilled meat and sweet corn still hung in the air, mingling with laughter that had only recently faded.
It had been a long afternoon—one Shylo had enjoyed, despite the circumstances that brought her there. Through quiet conversations, she’d learned more about Shane, his family, and the ranch. And for a few brief moments, she almost wished she belonged.
But she didn’t.
And she probably never would.
Needing to keep busy, she gathered empty soda cans and paper plates before discarding them into the right bins—recyclables and garbage. The ache in her chest had nothing to do with exertion and everything to do with what she'd witnessed—real family. Genuine connections. She saw it in Tucker slinging an arm over Paige's shoulder, in the way Shane cheerfully offered to refill everyone’s drinks, and in how people gravitated toward the trio with friendly smiles and open affection. No cold silences, resentments simmering under the surface, or bitterness. The Wilsons and their employees were one big happy family, related or not.
Shylo couldn’t remember ever feeling anything like what she saw at the ranch. Her mother had done everything she could to give Shylo a happy childhood, but Troy had a way of poisoning almost every good memory they tried to make. There were no neighborhood barbecues with friends or family game nights like the ones she'd heard Paige and Arianna reminiscing about earlier.
“You really don’t have to keep cleaning.” Seth approached with a grin and a half-full trash bag clutched in one hand. “First-timers are guests and exempt from doing any dirty work.”
“I don’t mind.” She tossed a crumpled napkin into his bag. “It gives me something to do with my hands.”
His smile softened as he crouched to pick up a forgotten toy truck in the grass. “You always need to keep them busy?”
