I’d finished feeding Tie Dye and was heading to the big house to wash up before dinner when I spotted Suzy and Abby sitting on the porch.
“There’s double trouble waiting to happen.” I stopped at the railing and watched Suzy trying to pull Abby’s hair back into some kind of braid.
“How are you holding up?” Suzy asked.
I shrugged. “I’ve been better.”
Abby sighed. “I don’t know why you can’t just go to Dallas and talk to her.”
I missed Delilah like a hole in my heart, but Abby missed her, too. I hadn’t been kidding when I told Delilah that Abby had taken to her like the sister she’d never had. Knowing I’d broken Abby’s heart, too, only made me feel worse.
“Lacey won’t let me. I promised her I’d wait until after the big party in Houston to go talk to her. Lacey’s holding out hope that there might be a slim chance of Delilah choosing Ido.”
“Slim to none and Slim left town.” One corner of Suzy’s mouth ticked up. “I’m sorry, sugar, but I think the writing’s on the wall with that one.”
“Dad said we might have to sell the horses.” Abby hugged her arms to her stomach.
I cringed. “I’m so sorry, Little Bug.”
“It is what it is.”
“You know what? These fingers aren’t made for braiding hair. I’m sorry, honey, but I think Delilah’s the only one who can tame these unruly locks.” Suzy smoothed her hand over Abby’s hair.
Abby let out a sigh as she slumped farther into the chair. “I wish she’d come back.”
“You and me both, kiddo.” I squatted down next to my sister. “I’m going to do my best to talk to her before it’s too late.”
Abby’s eyes sparked. I’d seen that look. Right before she’d insisted I add the swing to the arbor.
“I’m almost afraid to ask, but what’s on your mind?”
“It would suck to have to sell the horses, but I wouldn’t mind.”
“No?” I had the feeling that wasn’t all.
“Not if you bring Delilah back. I think you ought to go to that fancy party and tell her you love her.”
“Just like that?”
“Well, no. You should bring her some pretty flowers and get dressed up, too.”
“Thing is, I don’t think she likes me anymore.” Sooner or later I’d have to make peace with the fact that I’d done the worst thing I could have done when it came to Delilah. “I lied to her, Little Bug. If I go to Houston, all she’s going to do is turn me down.”
“She might turn you down, but do you think she’d be able to say no to all of us?” Suzy bent over and put an arm around Abby’s shoulders just as Trent and Mitchell stepped onto the porch.
“What’s going on?” Mitchell asked.
“We’re figuring out how we can help Jasper win back Delilah.” Abby looked at Trent. “Go get Lucas and Davis. They need to be part of this, too.”
“Abby, it’s not going to work.” I couldn’t fault my little sister for wanting to try. She was still young enough to believe that true love could conquer all and that everyone deserved a happily-ever-after.
“Wait a minute.” Trent tapped his lip. “You’ve been protecting us, trying to keep us all from getting hurt all this time.”
“Yeah, and look how that turned out,” I said.
“The whole reason you were such a jerk was because you love us so much. I know that’s why you were trying so hard to help.” Abby seemed such much older, so much wiser than I was at her age. Who was I kidding... than I was even now.
“What’s done is done.” I shrugged.
