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My mom’s gaze slid to the two approaching vehicles that contained my siblings and their families. “Oh, Tenley. You don’t need to feel guilty. Honestly, that makes me happy to hear. Not that you were chased by a bear, but that you were having a little adventure.” She softly said as the black SUV slowed and pulled off to the side of the road, the tan one parking behind the first.
Maddie popped her head out of the passenger window and waved while Luke rolled down the driver’s side of his SUV and shouted a hello. My mom grinned and blew kisses their way, letting them know we will go get Dad and be on our way. Within ten minutes, the rest of the pies and casseroles were in the truck, my dad seated up front with a small oxygen tank, and I was stuffed into the back, driver’s side.
There were no words exchanged as the procession began, my siblings following behind us, towards the Duke Ranch. A place that I had been avoiding. I didn’t even know what I was going to say to Weston when I saw him, and I’d never had a chance to apologize to Nancy and Jeb from the first failed dinner date. Although it seemed they didn’t care at all. Cassidy was a wild card, as well, plus I was starting to regret my outfit choice.
A shorter dress with thigh-high, chunky-heeled boots were not exactly ranch material. It was more L.A. girl style. I needed to have Carly and Elena take me shopping soon to update my wardrobe, but I really liked this dress. The cut gave me the illusion of curves and helped me feel sexy. Although, I was now worrying that it would give Cassidy false hope.
Chapter 18
The familiar drive to the ranch was shorter than I would’ve preferred, and we emerged at the base of the houses once more. Trucks lined the open space as usual, Razors and four-wheelers without drivers, and no cowboys were riding down the side of the mountain. But throngs of cattle grazed on flakes of hay scattered about, most of the herd being down near the majority of the houses. I assumed Eugene was the only one higher up the mountain close to Weston’s house.
Lights were on in the main home, and smoke curled from the chimney. Cute fall decor littered the porch, and I took a deep breath as my mom put the truck into park and killed the engine. The front door swung open and Nancy emerged with Jeb. They waved excitedly at my mom who grinned and returned the gesture, climbing down from the truck.
I hesitantly pushed open the truck door, watching for Weston or Cassidy. Nancy’s eyes met mine, and she gave me a soft and joyous smile. Mine was not quite as relaxed.
“Can we help with anything?” Nancy asked, once she’d given my mom a hug.
“We have some pies and casseroles, but other than that, I think we are okay,” my mom answered, and Nancy followed her around to the other side of the truck. Jeb hung back with me, walking slower beside me to gather dishes too. My mom was helping my dad out of the truck when Jeb’s hand wrapped around my arm and stopped me.
“Did the bear incident scare you off or something?” he asked, staring at me with those blue eyes that were too much like his son’s. I glanced towards the door, hoping by a slim chance that Weston was there. He wasn’t.
“Oh,” I muttered, watching for a little longer, and then turned back to Jeb. “No, just my dad is doing worse and work was busy.”
Of course, I made up an excuse, and he didn’t believe me. But he didn’t push it any further. “Well, we’re glad you’re back,” he said with a smile, also so much like Weston’s, and then walked forward. He took my dad from my mom and headed towards the house. My siblings came around the side of the truck to help carry pies and casseroles while their spouses ushered the kids towards the front doors.
“I can’t believe we are standing on the Duke Ranch,” Maddie said as Nancy passed by carrying two pies. My sister leaned forward and whispered between Mom and me, “Thank you, Mom for being Nancy’s friend.”
“Thank your sister for this one. She’s apparently made an impression on them,” my mom replied, grabbing two more pies. Her balance was much better lately, and she’d been able to ditch the walker.
“What?” Maddie said and I shook my head, silently refusing to explain.
“Now hurry up, Cassidy is waiting for you, Tenley,” my mom added and shuffled away from the truck.
I groaned, though at least this was the first time in a while she’d pestered me about Cassidy. Part of me knew that it wasn’t his attention I was vying for. A part of me that I was continually denying.
“Double what?” Maddie stared at me in shock, while my two siblings and I grabbed the last of the casseroles.
“Man, I thought we’d made it past this whole ‘arrange dates with Cassidy’ thing,” I muttered.
“As in Cassidy Duke?” Luke asked beside me. He and Maddie shared my mom's eyes, but had the same dark hair I did. However, they both resembled my dad when it came to face shape and bone structure. Not as petite as I was and with thinner lips.
Luke was wearing nice slacks with a simple, deep green button up, his leaner frame suited nicely to the look. Maddie had pulled her short hair back into a half up, half down style and wore a plaid, blue skirt with a black turtleneck sweater.
“Yes, Cassidy Duke,” I replied.
“TheCassidy Duke is interested in you, yet you aren’t into him? Are you ever interested in any guys?” Maddie asked beside me as we took the couple steps up towards the front door. Yes, I was. Just not that guy. Honestly, it had been a while since I’d recognized that feeling of intrigue, that desire to pursue someone.
I didn’t have to answer as we pushed open the door and entered the liveliest, warmest home I’d seen almost ever.
Kids were giggling, running across the bright brown wooden flooring to the right. A massive great room, with a stone fireplace centered upon the wall, was encircled by large leather couches. A rug splayed between them, covered with children and toys.
The warm orange and scarlet hues accentuated by the fire light danced across the hearth, illuminating across the grand open space before us. A staircase ran upwards directly to my left, a loft with bright wooden knotted railing exposed to us.
Hats hung along hooks galore against the wall adjacent to the door and faint country music played behind the chatter of people. Straight across from the entrance was the massive kitchen. Deep cinnamon colored granite countertops ran the length of the room, creating a large island piled high with food already. Behind the island was an expansive kitchen with modern appliances and beautiful deep red cabinets. To the left was a piano and guitar pushed back into the corner to make room for two extravagant and large dining tables lit with candles and utensils already set.
I slowly stepped forward behind my siblings, scanning the room for a pair of blue eyes that I desired to see. There were faces I recognized, and many I felt I’d seen at least once before, but no Weston. Not yet.
Cassidy was in the kitchen, already talking to my mom. But no Weston.
