Rick's jaw tightens. Melodie takes a slow breath.
Their reaction tells me they’re about as thrilled about him being back as Tyler and I are.
"And Tyler thinks Falon needs a babysitter," Melodie says quietly. There's an edge to her voice I don't hear often.
"No." I shake my head quickly. "I mean, Tyler didn't say it like that. He just... he's worried. And he can't be here."
"So he deputized you." Rick's tone is neutral, but his eyes are steady on mine.
I swallow. "Yes, sir."
The silence stretches. They know why we used to fight Kevin as kids. It wasn't a secret to Rick, Melodie, Aunt Pearl, and Uncle Anthony.
Finally, Melodie speaks. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him I'd watch out for her." I pause. "Not to manage or control her. Falon doesn't need that."
Melodie's expression softens slightly. "No. She doesn't."
Rick studies me for a long moment. Then he leans back in his chair, careful of his leg. "Kevin's always been trouble. He's just so entitled. Thinks the world owes him something because his daddyused toown half the county."
"He's been trying to pin Falon down since high school," Melodie adds. "She's made it clear she's not interested. But he doesn't listen well."
I nod slowly. "Tyler mentioned that."
"And you came here to tell us." Rick's voice is even. Observant, like always.
"Yes, sir." I meet his eyes. "I didn't want to... do this behind your back. Or Falon's. But Tyler asked, and I—" I pause. "I want to do right by all of you. And I figured telling you was the best place to start."
Melodie reaches across the table and squeezes my hand once. Brief. Warm. "Thank you for that."
Rick nods. "We appreciate it, Bo."
I exhale slowly. The knot in my chest loosens slightly.
"Falon's capable," Rick says. "Always has been. She doesn't need rescuing."
"I know," I say quickly. "I'm not trying to?—"
"We know." Melodie's voice is gentle. “You know, Falon’s been running both ranches every morning before most people have their boots on. She hasn't said a word about it, but we know it’s hard work for one ranch, let alone two.”
She topped off all our coffees and pushed a plate of muffins toward me. I took one and remembered when she would always make them when we were kids.
"But it's good to have people who care. People who'll stand with her if she needs it."
I nod. "That's all I want to do."
Rick picks up his coffee, takes a sip, then sets it down with deliberate care. "Kevin's harmless in a lot of ways. But he doesn't take no for an answer. And that's the part that worries me."
"Me too," Melodie adds quietly.
I glance between them. "Do you want me to... I don't know. Talk to him?"
"No," Rick answers. "That'd just escalate things. Kevin thrives on attention. The more you push, the harder he pushes back."
"And if Kevin gets pushy?" I ask.
"Then we deal with it," Rick says. "But we let Falon tell him no. She gets to choose how she handles things."
