Mom was setting dinner on the table as I walked in the door. “Jasper. Come join us. I made enough chicken-fried steak to feed an army.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” I took my regular spot at the table, surrounded by my parents, my brothers, Abby, and even little Maggie. This was where I belonged. I’d been a fool to ever think I could let something else take priority.
We passed bowls full of mashed potatoes and gravy, platters of fried okra and buttermilk biscuits. When everyone had filled their plates, I looked around.
“I’ve got an idea for the contest and I’m going to need some help.” I waited for someone to be the first to respond.
“I’ll help.” Abby gave me a sweet smile. My little sister was always ready to pitch in.
“That would be great. I’m sure we can use a bit of a feminine touch to smooth things over when I’m done.”
“What exactly do you have in mind, son?” Dad wiped his mouth with a napkin and set his forearms on the table.
“Lacey’s been after me to come up with some big romantic event to wrap up Delilah’s time in Ido.” I leaned against the back of my chair.
“I can think of a way to send her on her way.” Trent waggled his eyebrows.
“Cut it out.” Davis elbowed Trent in the gut. “Jasper’s right. If we don’t get that title, we could very well lose this farm. Whatever you need, I’m with you.”
“Thanks.” I nodded at Davis. He was the most logical. I knew he’d be on board.
“Even if Ido wins the title, that’s no guarantee we’ll be able to make a go of it as a wedding barn,” Dad said. “Now I know I promised that if you somehow convinced that beauty queen that there’s love to be found here in our little corner of Texas, that I’d let you try out your crazy plan. I’ve been going over the numbers and Jasper’s right. If we want to stay here, in this house that’s been in our family for four generations, work the land our ancestors first planted over a hundred years ago, then we need to do something.”
Mom’s chair legs scraped on the hardwood as she pushed back from the table. “Is that what we’re up against, Frank? We might lose this place?”
“I pray it doesn’t come to that.” My dad hung his head. “Right now, it looks like Jasper’s idea is our best bet.”
Mom stood, covered her mouth with her hand, and rushed out of the kitchen.
My stomach tightened. I was tempted to go after her, but Dad beat me to it.
“I’m going to go calm your mother down. But I’m asking you boys to listen to your older brother.” He put a hand on my shoulder as he walked by. “Whatever you need, son, we’ll do it.”
With the weight of my family’s fate pressing down on me, I nodded. As my dad went after Mom, I turned my attention to my brothers. “So here’s what I think we should do.”
The next day I woke from a restless night spent tossing and turning. I got up to start a pot of coffee, my mind already spinning with all the plans my younger brothers and I had talked about late into the night.
While I waited for the coffee to brew, I scrubbed my hand over the scruff on my chin. I was glad I didn’t have to deal with Colin and his shit, but knowing he was out there, somewhere close by, sure did mess with my head. But I didn’t have time to worry about Colin now. My brother had made his own bed, and eventually he’d have to lie in it.
The other Taylor men were starting on our plan today. I would join them later, but first I had to take Delilah up to the school. She’d set up a time to speak with Abby’s class, and I’d promised to be there. The text she sent late last night said she’d spent the night at the Sleep Tight Inn with her mom but would be back by the time I needed to pick her up.
I wasn’t looking forward to the conversation we needed to have. Every time we got together, I seemed to forget all the reasons why I shouldn’t get involved. But now, after getting my entire family on board with the idea I’d proposed, I had to drawa hard line in the sand. One I couldn’t let myself cross, no matter how much I wanted to.
She was sitting on the steps of the trailer when I pulled up. As I brought the truck to a stop, she got to her feet and gave me a sweet smile that made me instantly reconsider my resolve. I fought the urge to pull her into my arms and press a kiss to those full lips. Instead, I leaned over and opened her door for her.
“Good morning.” She hopped into the cab, her sash hanging across her chest.
“Hey. How did things go with your mom last night?”
“Just great. She overindulged in a mix of vodka and white wine. I got to hold her hair back while she puked up the overpriced dinner I bought her over in Swynton.”
“I’m sorry I asked.”
“It’s fine.” She clipped her seat belt in place. “She’ll apologize later, and we’ll pretend it never happened. We have a somewhat complicated relationship.”
“Are you all right?” Against my better judgment, I reached out and put my hand on hers.
The lips I wanted to kiss spread into a tight smile. “I will be. We saw Suzy at the restaurant. Seems she and my mother knew each other once upon a time but as usual, Stella doesn’t want to talk about anything from the past. Do you think I could follow up with your aunt sometime?”
