She had a real girl crew now, fleshed out with Jenny, Evie, Lilah, Vega, and Corie. Brit and Delfi popped in and out often too, and Amanda whenever she was in town. Always someone to talk to and thank God for Mrs. Pleasant and Miss Leona, always someone ready to go to LA at the drop of a hat to go shopping. Things were going great between her father and Miss Leona. She didn’t think Miss Leona was in the market to remarry, but that suited her father just fine. It was clear they couldn’t get enough of each other.
And then there was Jesse.
“Okay. We’re ready,” Evie said as she and Mrs. Pleasant walked back into the kitchen, carrying a baby each. “If we go now, I might be able to get away without a backseat diaper change.”
“Come on, come on. We’ll clean up the rest when we get back,” Miss Leona said, waving everyone out of the kitchen.
“Let’s do it.” Lily-Grace dried the last dish, then rushed to the bathroom to touch up her makeup. When she came back out, Lilah handed her her coat and her Stetson. A few minutes later Evie, Mrs. Pleasant, Lilah, and the twins piled into Mrs. Pleasant’s Escalade. Lily-Grace, Miss Leona, Mrs. McQueen, Amanda, and Corie climbed into Lily-Grace’s Tahoe, and they all headed over to Big Rock Ranch. Vega had spent the morning opening presents with her family, but she was going to meet them over there. No way she was going to miss Jesse’s big reveal.
Lily-Grace and her father both finished their swimming certifications down at the rec center, which she was grateful for considering how much time she spent in Jesse’s pool. And now, finally, they’d be able to ride together. She was happy for selfish reasons, but she knew this was important to Jesse in his role as the owner of one, and soon to be two, ranches, when the Golden Gulch deal closed in a few weeks’ time. He could finally say he was a rancher who knew his way around a horse.
“Mom, we have to get you in the saddle,” Amanda said to her mother in the back seat.
“My Black ass will be staying right on the ground, thank you very much.”
“You can join all us old folks who no longer defy gravity,” Miss Leona said. “Climbing in the saddle is not a requirement for spending time with us.”
“Why am I nervous?” Lily-Grace laughed. She gripped the wheel like it was the only thing holding her down.
“Secondhand nerves, honey.”
“Secondhand embarrassment is real,” Corie added.
“Listen.” Lily-Grace glanced up and caught Corie’s eye in the rearview mirror. They had a good relationship now, but shit-talking was definitely a part of Corie’s DNA. “However this goes, do not give him a hard time.”
“I won’t! You notice I can’t ride either.”
“I’m just saying.”
“You have my word. Besides, I’ma find fifty other things to clown him about before dinnertime.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you will.”
Miss Leona fielded Mrs. McQueen’s questions about the ranch and Charming for the rest of the ride, giving Lily-Grace’s mind the space it needed to focus on the only thing that mattered right now. Jesse. She was so proud of him, and not just for working on his fears and learning to ride, but for how much time he’d spent trying to be a better man.
He was right, they never fought. Even when they disagreed and he would get a little grouchy, they always gave each other space, then talked things through. And he wasn’t just using that constructive approach when it came to her. Zach and Sam had told her on more than one occasion that the three of them were closer than ever, that they knew they could really talk to Jess and he felt more free to come to them. He’d even asked his parents to join him in therapy a handful of times and it had really paid off. He and Senior were moving forward in a way that made Lily-Grace all the more grateful for the relationship she’d always had with her father.
They pulled through the iron gates of Big Rock Ranch and followed the Escalade back to the stables. A few guests were milling around the property, taking in the bright sun and the cool winter air, but she was sure the rest were enjoying their warm fireplaces and Brit’s fantastic holiday menu.
When they reached the barn, she waved to Vega, who was standing with her cousin Donie, who they’d hung out with a few times. Donie was a photographer and Jesse probably wanted to properly document his progress.
Right as she climbed out of her car, Lilah rushed over and took her hand. “If you’ll follow me.”
“Whooop, doesn’t look like I have a choice.” She laughed as Lilah tugged her over to the paddock fence and opened the gate. As they walked toward the middle, she could spot a metric ton of rose petals scattered in the shape of a heart.
“Don’t worry. The roses are horsey safe,” Lilah said.
“Oh good.”
“Okay, you stand right there. And we’ll be good to go in just a minute.”
She followed directions and waited as Lilah rushed around and tried to get everyone in place for Jesse’s maiden voyage around the property.
“Okay, we’re ready!” Lilah yelled. A few seconds later the barn door cracked open and Jenny and Amanda’s dad, Mr. McQueen, slipped out, carrying a portable speaker. They were both wearing tuxes.
“What in the! Jenny?!”
“Aren’t you glad I dragged you to that date auction?”
