“Come back to the ranch,” I say.
Joey blinks. “What?”
“Come back. We’re having dinner. Sedona is awake. Come tell her you’re sorry yourself. She’s got a big heart, Joey. Bigger than all of us.”
He looks at the ground. He nods once.
“Yeah,” he says gruffly. “Yeah, I can do that.”
“I’m heading out now. You can follow me.”
I turn and walk toward the truck. I climb into the cab. I check the mirror. Joey is walking toward his own truck. He’s coming home.
I start the engine. I pull out of the lot and onto the highway.
The drive feels short. The radio plays a song about dirt roads and sunsets, but I barely hear it. My mind is already at the house.
I pull into the driveway. The porch light is on. The house looks welcoming. It looks like a home.
I park the truck and kill the engine. I sit there for a second, looking at the steering wheel. Second place. A truce with Joey. A home waiting for me.
I get out and walk up the steps.
I open the door, and the smell of dinner hits me. Roast chicken. Herbs.
Seth is in the kitchen, plating food. Billy is sitting on the couch, his boots off, his head leaned back against the cushion, eyes closed.
And Sedona is there.
She is sitting on the armchair, wrapped in a blanket. She looks tiny. She looks exhausted.
But when she sees me, her face lights up.
She smiles. It’s a tired smile, but it’s real.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey,” I say.
I walk over to her. I kneel down. I take her hand.
“I didn’t bring the buckle,” I say. “Tripp beat me by a point.”
She reaches out and touches my cheek.
“I don’t care about the buckle,” she whispers. “I just care that you’re home.”
“I’m home,” I say. I lean forward and kiss her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Billy opens one eye. “Did you win?”
“Second,” I say.
“Good enough,” he grunts. He pats the couch cushion next to him. “Sit down. Dinner’s ready. And Seth made enough for an army.”
“And Joey’s coming,” I say.
