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Much later in the day, that was confirmed when she walked in the house after Mimi had insisted she and Sweetie help her organize the gardening shed and discovered her entire family standing in the living room with big smiles on their faces and pointy birthday party hats on their heads. A banner that read, Happy Birthday, Clover! hung along the fireplace mantel and green and white streamers and balloons were everywhere.
“Surprise!”
Once again tears filled Cloe’s eyes as her family surrounded her. Her birthday wasn’t until tomorrow, but obviously they had wanted to surprise her. As she received hugs and birthday wishes, she realized she had so many things to be thankful for. She needed to stop moping around and start acting like it.
“Thank you so much,” she said. “I have the best family in the world.”
“Of course you do.” Hallie hooked an arm through hers. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Her mama had made her favorite chicken potpie for dinner with German chocolate cake for dessert. As she blew out the candles, she had one wish . . . to celebrate the rest of her birthdays surrounded by her family.
Once the cake and ice cream had been eaten and Cloe finished opening her presents, Libby got up. “I think I’m going to take a walk and burn off some of these cake calories. Anyone want to join me?”
“I’ll go.” Decker started to stand, but Sweetie sent him a look that had him sitting back down. “Ahh, it’s one of those secret sister moments.”
Liberty glared at Sweetie and Sweetie held up her hands. “Don’t look at me. You’re the one who mentioned the Secret Sisterhood in front of him. But there’s no need to worry. Our town sheriff knows how to keep a secret. Which is why I married him.” She sent Decker a look as she got to her feet that could only be described as adoring. “Among other things.”
Once the sisters were all gathered in the hayloft and Sweetie had brought the meeting to order, Liberty jumped right in.
“I won’t let it happen! I won’t let some asshole businessmen take our ranch! Especially after Cloe entered into a fake marriage to try and save it. Belle and I have planned parties for some of the most influential people in Houston. I’m sure they’ll be happy to intervene on our behalf and make sure the owners of Oleander Investments pay for what they’re trying to do.”
“Amen to that,” Hallie said with a fist punch. “We aren’t going down without a fight.”
“Calm down, y’all,” Sweetie said. “I don’t think we need to make Oleander Investments out like the bad guys. They made everything clear in the contract that Mimi signed. While she might not have known what she was signing, Daddy did. So we can’t completely blame Corbin.”
“He could have let Rome pay off the loan,” Noelle said.
“Exactly!” Hallie piped up. “I’m glad Rome beat the tar out of that jackass at the Hellhole last night.”
Cloe turned to her. “What?”
“You didn’t hear? It’s all over town. I heard it when I was getting gas in town. I guess Rome walked up and punched Corbin Whitlock right in the mouth. Then all hell broke loose and Decker got called.”
“Decker?” Cloe looked at Sweetie. “You didn’t tell me Decker got called to the Hellhole.”
“I’m sorry,” Sweetie said. “But I can’t gossip about what Decker does as sheriff, Cloe. That’s just not right.”
“Corbin Whitlock?” Liberty looked at Belle. “Didn’t we go to school with a Corbin Whitlock?”
Belle shook her head. “I’m sure it’s not the same one.”
“Oh, yes, it is,” Hallie said. “It’s the exact same one who went to school with y’all.”
Belle looked as stunned as Cloe felt.
“Wait a second,” Liberty said. “I remember him now. He had a major crush on me. He brought me wilted wildflowers and wrote me some pretty awful poems. But he was kind of sweet. For a while I actually considered dating him.” She paused, her eyes narrowing. “In fact, I think he asked me out on a date. But for some reason, I didn’t go.”
“Maybe that’s our in,” Noelle said. “Maybe you can talk him into changing his mind about foreclosing on the ranch.”
“No!” Belle burst out. When everyone turned to her, she blushed. “I mean I just don’t think that it’s a good idea. Look what happened to Cloe.”
“I’m not planning on marrying him, Belly,” Liberty said. “I’m just planning on reminding him we’re old friends.”
“I don’t think you were ever friends, Libby.”
“Maybe not. But by the time I get through with him, he’ll think we are.”
Cloe was with Belle. She didn’t think it was a good idea for Liberty to meet with Corbin. Her sister had never known how to mince her words. But before she could give her opinion, she heard the sound of a truck pulling up to the front of the house. Noelle, who was sitting closest to the open hayloft doors, looked out.
