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“I don’t know what’s gotten into me,” Macie said, running a hand over her hair. “These memories are hitting me so fast, and . . .” She met his gaze, her brown eyes full of regret. “You don’t need to hear all this, anyway.”
“I really don’t mind,” Holt began. “It’s only that—”
“Mommy?” a little voice cut in. “Where’s the pony?”
Apparently, Ruby’s nap was over.
Holt turned to look at her. The little girl’s brown eyes, so much like her mom’s, blinked back at him. Her cheeks were rosy from her nap.
“Your Uncle Holt will show us the pony,” Macie said, “but first we need to unload our things and see Grandma and Grandpa.” She cut a glance to Holt.
He nodded. “Remember rule number one?”
Ruby smiled. “I do remember! Listen to Mommy!”
Holt chuckled and opened his truck door. He hadn’t planned on enjoying pickup duty today one bit, but he’d changed his mind. His mom needed as much rest as she could get, so Holt had insisted on doing the airport run. Besides, it was good to have Macie one-on-one for a short time, since it gave him a chance to determine where she was at in her life. It would better prepare him for his next conversation with his brother. Holt still wanted to know what had broken up their marriage, besides the obvious selfish traits of his brother.
“Come on, little darlin’.” Holt opened the back door, then unbuckled the straps of the booster seat. “Let’s get you down.”
Macie had opened the door on the other side, and the surprise on her face was clear.
“Thank you for your help,” she said in a quiet voice. Next, she moved to the bed of the truck, where he’d stashed the suitcases.
“I’ll get those,” Holt said. “You’d better keep up with Ruby before she tears through every room.”
Macie snapped her gaze toward the house, where, sure enough, Ruby was grabbing the door latch. “Wait for me,” Macie called out.
Ruby immediately dropped her hand to her side and looked in Holt’s direction, as if to say, see, I’m listening to my mom.
Holt nodded his approval, and Ruby grinned.
That kid was precocious, to say the least. Holt unhooked the booster seat, then lifted the suitcases out of the truck. Carrying all three items, he reached the porch, where Macie held the door open with one hand and gripped Ruby’s hand with the other.
“It’s not polite to go into people’s houses without being invited,” Macie told Ruby.
“You’re both invited.” Holt stepped through the open door.
He didn’t get very far, because his parents came out of the kitchen. His father, Rex Prosper, had been mayor for nearly fifteen years, and he wore his standard uniform of a pressed button-down shirt, tan Levi’s, a thick leather belt with a buckle that read Prosperity Ranch, and boots . . . boots his father polished every day, sometimes twice, if there was an evening event he had to attend.
His father’s step slowed at the sight of Macie and Ruby, but his mother rushed forward. She’d dressed up more than she had lately. It was good to see her in a blouse and slacks, versus the robe she wore as she convalesced. She’d also taken time to put on a full face of makeup, making it obvious to Holt she was trying to appear as if she were perfectly healthy.
“Oh my goodness, she’s grown so much,” his mother said, bending to get a good look at Ruby. “I’m your grandma, sweetie. Do you remember me?”
Ruby gave a solemn nod, although Holt doubted the kid could remember. His mother had been out to see her grandkid a few times, but not for at least a year. And that meant this was his father’s first time meeting Ruby. His one and only grandchild.
For now, Rex Prosper stood back, taking in the scene, his gaze moving among the women.
“Can I have a hug?” his mother asked Ruby.
The little girl stepped forward and threw her arms around her grandma’s neck. Heidi chuckled and squeezed tight.
Something in Holt’s heart twisted. He couldn’t exactly explain how he felt both pain and joy at seeing the reunion. Pain because of his brother’s choices, and so much lost time, and joy that somehow Macie had made it to Prosper anyway. At this moment, things like his parents’ personal debt, Knox’s constant requests for money, and Holt’s inconvenience at Macie’s arrival didn’t seem to matter as much as they had only moments before.
Then, his father stepped forward.
“Ruby, this is Grandpa Prosper,” Macie said.
Ruby released her grandma and looked at her grandpa. “You’re the dayor!”
