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Hallie shook her head.“But that doesn’t make any sense.Mimi doesn’t want to sell the ranch.Why would she tell people that we are?”
“I don’t know,” Cloe said.“All I know is that Henry was talking weird.And after what Cob mentioned about Daddy having to pay people to date us, I think there might be something to it.”
Hallie turned to her.“And here I thought you and Belle were the logical sisters.But there is no logic in that, Clo.Daddy wouldn’t ever give away the ranch for free.”
Cloe sighed.“You’re right.I just can’t explain what happened tonight.”
Now that tequila wasn’t fogging her brain, Sweetie realized itwasweird how all the men had flocked around them.Especially when the townsfolk were still angry with her.Any man who decided to marry her would have to have a good incentive.Like a ranch.But like Hallie had pointed out, Daddy wouldn’t give away the ranch.
“Maybe the single female population has shrunk so much men are just getting desperate,” she said.“Mama did say a lot of young people have left.”
“Well, the poor fools are looking in the wrong spot for wives,” Hallie said.“Not one of us is ready to tie the knot.”
“I’m ready.”
Cloe’s declaration had Sweetie sitting up in her seat.“Brandon asked you to marry him?”
“Not yet, but I think he’s going to.He said he wants to have a serious talk about where our relationship is headed when I get back.”
Cloe had been dating Brandon for close to six years.It made sense that they would finally get married.Which didn’t explain the green-eyed monster that was suddenly sitting on Sweetie’s shoulder and whispering in her ear.She has a great career and now she’s going to have love and a family, while you have nothing to show for the last twelve years of your life.Nada.
Ignoring the monster, Sweetie reached up and squeezed Cloe’s shoulder.“That’s awesome, Clo.Really awesome.”
Hallie wasn’t as supportive.“Are you sure you want to marry a man who spent all of Thanksgiving talking about how many miles he’d ridden on his Peloton?”
“There’s nothing wrong with a man being fit,” Cloe said.
“No, but there is something wrong with him being an arrogant butt wipe.”
“Hallie!”Sweetie chastised.
“I’m sorry, but he is.I mean, he didn’t even compliment the dinner we’d slaved away on.”
Cloe glanced over at her.“You slaved away on?”
“Okay, you, Liberty, Belle, and Noelle slaved away on.But I did bring the beer.And he had the gall to drink most of it and then say it was a little too yeasty for his tastes.I’ll have you know I make some of the best beer in Texas.If I could get a backer, I would open my own brewery and prove it.”
“Brandon was just nervous at Thanksgiving.The Holiday sisters aren’t easy to take all at once.But he’s a nice man who is a great teacher and he’ll be a good husband and father.”
Hallie snorted.“Wow.Those sound like the perfect reasons to marry a man.”
Sweetie had to agree.“But you love him, right, Cloe?”
There was a long hesitation before Cloe answered.“Of course I love him.I mean it’s not a wild, crazy kind of overwhelming love, but I’m not a wild, crazy kind of girl.I don’t need a lot of excitement or passion.I just want a partnership where my opinions are valued.Brandon values my opinions.”
Sweetie knew where Cloe’s desires came from.Their parents’ relationship hadn’t been a partnership where her mother’s opinions were valued.Daddy ran the ranch the way he saw fit without asking what Mama, or even Mimi, thought.Maybe if he had, they wouldn’t have to sell the ranch.
“We’re happy for you, Cloe.”Sweetie reached between the seat and the door and pinched Hallie on the arm.
“Ow—yes!We’re happy for you.I’ll even brew you some beer for your wedding reception.Where do you think you’ll get married?”
“I always dreamed about having my wedding and reception in the barn.But now ...”
“Why do Mama and Daddy have to sell the house and barn?”Hallie asked.“Couldn’t they just sell the land and have enough to live on for the rest of their lives?”
Sweetie had to agree.It would make sense to just sell the land and keep the acre the house and barn sat on.But maybe Mama was tired of taking care of the house too.There were a lot of empty rooms now that Sweetie and all her sisters were gone.
Cloe pulled up in front of the house.As always, Mama had left the light on for them.It looked like she had added more Valentine decorations.Pots of fake flowers filled the porch.There were red roses and yellow roses and pink roses.Daisies and lilies and carnations.Some were in elaborate arrangements and others were just lying on their sides in floral cellophane.
