Because Lila’s mom isn’t.
The thought lands heavy, as it always does. I swallow it down with a sip of coffee gone lukewarm, the ceramic mug warming my fingers anyway.
“…and she’s not needing support as much now,” Rose continues. “Says she’s sleeping through most nights instead of waking up coughing. Dr. Patel seemed really optimistic.”
Mom’s face softens. “That’s wonderful to hear, honey. She can spend more time here once she’s properly back on her feet.”
“She will,” Rose says, smiling. “She wants to come for the Spring Branding BBQ. Says she’s not missing one more year of watching all you McCoy boys run around like chickens with your heads cut off.”
Nash raises his glass. “Now that’s a woman with priorities.”
“Language,” Mom snaps on reflex.
Nash blinks. “What? Chickens?”
Clay snorts. “You almost said something else.”
“That’s slander,” Nash says mildly.
Lila leans closer to me, whispering, “What’s slander?”
“Something your Uncle Nash does a lot of,” I murmur back, and she hides a small smile behind her fork.
At that moment, Rusty decides subtlety is overrated and makes his move on the fallen roll. His gray muzzled snout sneaks forward, tongue snaking out.
“Don’t even think about it,” Mom says without looking, reaching down to nudge him with her foot.
Rusty flops back on his side with an exaggerated groan that makes Ellie giggle. A moment later, she breaks off a bit of her own roll and drops it “accidentally” under the table.
“Oops,” she says, not fooling anyone.
Rusty’s head pops back up. The roll disappears in a single gulp.
“Ellie,” Rose warns, trying and failing to hide the amusement in her voice.
“He was hungry,” Ellie protests. “His eyes said so.”
“His eyes always say so,” I point out.
“Don’t body shame the dog, Dallas,” Nash says solemnly. “It’s Christmas.”
Rusty burps. Loudly.
Clay chokes on his water. “Oh my?—”
“Language,” Mom says again.
Clay lifts both hands in surrender, shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
Wyatt chooses that moment to let out a squawk, face scrunching. Rose instinctively starts to bounce him, crooning under her breath. Boone reaches over, steadying her elbow and kissing her temple. They fit together so easily now, it still catches me off guard sometimes, remembering how damn complicated things used to be between them.
It’s a good thing,I tell myself. A miracle, really, seeing my oldest brother settled and happy, seeing Rose here, where she was always meant to be. Watching him help Ellie with her art projects. Watching him hold Wyatt as the most fragile and valuable thing on this ranch.
Family sticking.
Family staying.
I force my gaze back to my plate, rearranging my remaining ham and green beans.
