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“What happened today?” she asked, because she’d always been exceptionally skilled at reading the room. It didn’t take much to see and feel the emotions streaming from Gerty, because she’d always worn everything right out on her face.
Boone honestly hadn’t known what would happen at James’s place, and he’d never been prouder of his daughter than he had been the moment she’d thrown that bedpost onto her cheating ex’s lawn. He would’ve bailed her out, but he didn’t want it to have to come to that.
The person inside him who wanted to be an exceptional father had had to warn her he wouldn’t be there for her if she did something that would allow James to call the cops on her.
Thankfully, she’d handled it beautifully, and Boone really would purchase anything she needed. He finally pulled away from Carrie and looked her in the eyes. “You have an inheritance for Gerty?”
Her mouth tightened, which was Boone’s answer. “It’s not much, but we want her to have it. It would’ve gone to you and Nikki upon our deaths, and we don’t need it.”
“You sure?” Boone asked. He’d sold his and Nikki’s house in Saffron Hills and it had been one of the most painful and most freeing things he’d ever done.
“I’m one hundred percent sure,” Carrie said. “Now, someone better start talking about what happened today, and I think it better be you, Gerty-girl.”
“Nothing happened today,” Gerty said as she stepped into her grandmother’s arms.
“The trailer is empty,” Kyle said. The front door closed, and Boone moved over to him to say hello. “Why is the trailer empty?”
“Because we didn’t have anything to pack up,” Gerty said. “It was all trash, and I threw it all away.” She smiled at her grandmother and then stepped over to Kyle before Boone could interject and embrace him. “Gramps, I’ve missed you so much.”
Boone loved watching Gerty interact with Nikki’s parents. They’d go visit her grave tomorrow, and Boone already felt the drape starting to settle over his shoulders.
He could see his first wife so clearly, because Gerty was her spitting image. She also took after her grandmother, and Boone was never one to hold back the thoughts in his head.
“Have you guys ever considered moving to Ivory Peaks?”
A new kind of silence settled over the house, and as Gerty pulled away from her grandfather, even her eyes were wide as dinner plates. “That’s the best idea ever,” she said slowly.
“We could never,” Carrie said.
“Why not?” Gerty rushed her. “Grams, I have the best farm on the planet, and there’s a house there for you already.”
“Gerty,” Cosette said. She reached out and tucked Gerty’s cornsilk hair behind her ear. “That house has a few holes in the roof.”
“I’m going to fix it all up,” Gerty said. “Daddy and Mike and Mission are going to help. Did you know he used to be a carpenter?”
“Not quite true,” Boone said under his breath, though Mission was very good with a hammer and nails. He smiled at his daughter and faced Kyle and Carrie. “But there is a house there for you, and there are still seasons. They’re just not as harsh as here.”
“Nikki’s here,” Carrie said, her eyes filled with fear.
“Yes, and we’ll bring you to see her anytime you want,” Boone said.
“When’s the last time you went to her grave without me?” Gerty asked.
“Gerty,” Cosette chastised.
“I’m just saying,” she started.
“Your tone is too harsh,” Cosette told her, her dark eyes flashing. “Just say it nicely.”
Gerty swallowed and nodded. She was an intense person, and Boone had no problem with her and Mike’s relationship at this point. Gerty wasn’t going to listen to him anyway. The girl had always been headstrong, and smart, and capable, and while she’d arrived at the house broken and quiet, she was very nearly right back to the spitfire of a woman who’d packed up everything she’d owned and gone to Austin for farrier school.
Who’d decided to learn barrel racing on a dare.
Who’d traveled the west with her truck, her horses, and her determination, grit, and wisdom.
A surge of love filled Boone, and he could only smile at his daughter. He blinked, and he swore Nikki was smiling back at him.
“Grams,” Gerty said in a much kinder tone. “You and Gramps don’t go see her without me anyway. Or Daddy.” She tossed another look over to him, this one edged with anxiety. “She’s okay here by herself at this point.”
