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“Yeah, but it plays better with ten. So I figured with you and Chet, that makes eight, and then maybe Hawk or Flint or Knox, maybe even Amelia and Ranger will play.”
“Well, sure, I’m down. I do like board games. I don’t want to be the seventh wheel, though.”
“Oh, Arya, you could never be the seventh wheel, you know that!” Sadie linked arms with me. “Now come on, let’s go to the kitchen and grab some of those cookies before dinner.”
“Amelia won’t like that.”
Arm in arm we walked down the hallway. I loved how Sadie always made me feel comfortable. She was more of a loving sister to me than my own sister was. I guess I was finally beginning to understand the difference between blood family and the family we choose.
“Ah, Amelia will get over for it. She’s flying high right now.”
“Oh, why do you say that?”
“Because she’s planning three weddings. She was just hoping for one son to find love, and now she has three sons about to get married. How amazing is that?” Sadie grinned. “All her dreams are coming true.”
“And you’re okay with Amelia planning your wedding?” I asked Sadie, curious. Sadie was one of the most independent women I knew, and I couldn’t imagine her not being in charge of her own wedding.
Sadie burst out laughing. “Girl, I’ve been planning my wedding for years! So I’ve already figured out all the important details, but I love her input. She has such great taste, and Wyatt’s an absolute bore about the whole thing.” She rolled her eyes. “He doesn’t want to hear anything about it, and he has no opinions about anything. It’s becoming kind of frustrating, if I’m honest.” She made a face, but I could tell from the humor in her voice that she wasn’t really mad about it. She’d known Wyatt long enough to know that he’d be no help planning their wedding.
“Did I hear my name?” said a deep voice behind us, and we both turned around.
Sadie let go of my arm and ran towards her fiancé. He picked her up and swung her around.
I watched as they shared an intimate kiss, happy that they’d finally expressed their love for each other but also feeling a little bit of sadness and jealousy for myself.
“So what were you saying about me?” Wyatt asked as they finally broke apart.
“I was just telling Arya that I’m grateful that your mom is helping plan the wedding because you’re no help.” Sadie poked him in the chest.
“Well, isn’t wedding planning a woman’s thing?” He frowned as he realized he’d made a statement that was most definitely going to get him into trouble.
Sadie put her hands on her hips. “Really Wyatt Hamilton, a woman’s thing? You do know that this is 2022, and there are no such things as women’s things and men’s things?”
“Uhm, okay.” He pressed his lips together. I could tell he was trying not to laugh.
“What do you mean by ‘uhm, okay’?” Sadie crossed her arms in front of her and gave him a stern look.
“I don’t know where you get your ideas from, Sadie, but we live on a ranch, and there are definitely things that men do that women…” His voice trailed off. “I’m guessing I’m not going to win this conversation, am I?”
“No, you’re not, Wyatt Hamilton. I know you’re not about to spout something that goes against my feminist beliefs.”
“Since when are you a feminist, Sadie?”
“Since forever.” She swatted him on the shoulder. “And this is why I’m starting my non-profit to empower and train women so that men will finally respect the work we can and already do on the ranch.” She looked back at me. “Anyway, Arya and I are going to steal some freshly baked cookies from the kitchen. You are more than willing to join us if you want.”
“Does my mom know you’re about to do that?”
“She won’t mind. She’s too preoccupied.” She winked at him and linked her arm through his.
“I know.” He groaned. “She’s caught up in wedding planning.” He shuddered dramatically then grinned at me. “As if I don’t already have enough on my plate.”
They play punched each other, and I felt another little stab of envy at their banter. They seemed to get each other in a way that showed me they were perfect for each other.
They had such a close and happy relationship. It was the sort of relationship I would have loved to have. I wondered how much of it was because they were soulmates and how much of it was because they’d been best friends since they were little kids. I was pretty sure it was both.
We walked into the kitchen, and I realized we weren’t the only ones who had the same idea. Austin and Beau were both sitting at the table with plates of cookies and glasses of milk.
Amelia was standing next to the stove, and Eloise was helping her with something. My heart expanded as I watched Eloise with Amelia. Amelia was like a grandma to her, and I knew that Eloise would miss not being in the house with her every day.
