Jesse nodded. He loved his mother. He admired her. But she had her mission and she never took her eyes off that focus. This week’s focus was a perfect wedding. And she meant perfect. Jesse knew his role, and that’s why he hadn’t said a word during dinner. She already had her Jesse report. He was in good health. The ranch was doing well, better than everyone in their family expected it would do under Zach and Jesse’s leadership. Since he had no news on the girlfriend front, there was nothing else she needed to hear. Mother of the Wedding Party mode activated. If all went well, she’d be bragging about it for at least the next year. She’d circle back to Jesse when he was ready to settle down. If that ever happened.
“She’s great, but she is a lot.”
“Hmmm.”
Jesse watched Evie closely as she chewed the inside of her lip. “I miss my parents. I miss Nana.”
“I miss her too.”
Evie’s heart belonged to Zach, it had from day one, but the two of them had their own kind of connection. He remembered Miss Leona sitting him and his brothers down, telling them what had happened to Evie’s parents, the accident that had taken them away. How she was coming to the ranch to live with her grandmother, Amelia, or Nana Buck as they all liked to call her. He remembered the heartbreak in her tone when she’d asked the boys to look after Evie, make her feel welcome and loved like she was a part of their family.
He remembered all the afternoons they’d spent baking with his grandmother when Zach and Sam were away at the rodeo with Senior, the moments when Evie would suddenly get quiet. Miss Leona would pull her close and let Evie cry. Jesse remembered the pain of losing his grandfather, but he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to lose both his parents at once.
It was no surprise that Evie split for almost ten years after her nan Amelia passed. Sure, his brother had almost blown it by choosing that very moment to lie to Evie about his feelings for her, but Jesse knew what this town must have felt like for her. Full of sad memories and thoughts of people she’d lost. He was glad she and Zach had made up. Jesse was glad to have Evie back.
“You know we got you, right,” he said as she wiped away a few fat tears.
“Yeah, I do. That’s why I feel comfortable crying in your driveway.”
“It’s a good place to cry.”
“Shiit” Evie laughed, more tears slipping down her face. “I knew this would be hard without them, but your mom just really brought it all to the surface. She’s been asking me all of these questions, and I didn’t realize how delicate Miss Leona has been. How you all have. You’ve just been letting me navigate this, but she really wants to remind me she’s the only mother in this situation.”
“Yeah. That’s kind of her brand, unfortunately. It’s how she shows she cares. Putting her stamp on things, even if those things are your face.”
“That’s it exactly.” Evie laughed. “No, she’s been great. And I love the idea of Senior walking me down the aisle. I just—yeah.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Nah. Well, actually. You can tell me why you sent Lily-Grace and Jenny that bottle of wine.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Goodnight, Evie.” Jesse turned and headed back to his house.
“You’re just gonna leave a bride-to-be out here all alone?” she called after him.
“I thought you wanted me time.”
“Get back here, Jess.” With a sigh he made his way back to where Evie was waiting with her hands on her hips.
“Spill it, Pleasant. I know there was drama at the ranch this morning. Delfi texted me.”
“Remind me to fire her tomorrow.”
“Yeah, try it. She’ll just stop showing up but lock you out of the payroll system.”
Jesse smiled to himself because he knew Evie was right. Delfi would give him a piece of her mind for even joking about letting her go. She was a big part of what made the ranch tick.
“What happened with Lily-Grace?”
“Just giving me a piece of her mind for almost murdering her father.”
“Geez, you’re getting it from all sides.”
Jesse just sniffed and straightened his shoulders.
“So you gonna ask her out?”
“Why the hell would I do that?”
