Logan nods at me. “Want me to set you up? You’ve been a monk for too long, and this court date gives us the perfect reason to celebrate.” Using the words “celebrate” and “court date” in the same sentence make me cringe, but I know he’s pissed at Allison on my behalf. “Come on, bro. One beer. Maybe an appetizer. That’s it. Sandra’s a cutie, but if you’re not ready to ‘wham, bam, thank you, ma’am,’ I’m sure you could keep it casual.”
My brother, the romantic.
He nudges my arm, and I shrug him off. “Fine. One beer. Whatever it takes to get you to shut up.”
“Or even better, we could go to the coast for the weekend. Maybe when Allison is watching the kids.”
With everything I have to do around here, taking a weekend to act like I’m young and carefree is impractical. “How in the world would I pull that off?”
The words are barely out of my mouth when a little voice shouts, “Daddy! We brought you lunch!”
A huge smile lifts my lips before I’m done turning around. Standing in the open gate, with sunlight streaming behind them, are Mila, Cody, and Tori. Mila’s carrying a huge picnic basket, one my mother stores over the kitchen cabinets, while Tori bounces Cody on her hip and waves.
It’s such a rare treat to see the kids back here that I instantly feel the sadness from a minute ago start to lift.
Tori hoists my son higher in her arms. “Sorry to bother you, but Mila wanted to make you lunch.”
“It’s no bother. I’ll never turn away food.”
I kneel down to Mila’s eye level, and she throws herself in my arms like she hasn’t seen me in a week. Worry fills my heart, and my eyes connect with Tori, who gives me a look of understanding.
Her voice is soft. Comforting. “She’s having a good afternoon. She just misses you.”
Rubbing Mila’s back, I realize how hard this must be for her. Having my mom leave and a new babysitter take over the very next second. I should’ve planned this better and overlapped them more.
“Hey,” I whisper into my daughter’s hair. “You totally made my day.”
“Yeah?” When she pulls back, she wipes her eyes, but even though she’s emotional, she’s smiling.
“Yup. I was having a crummy morning, but then my favorite people stopped by.”
She looks up at Tori and leans toward me to whisper, “Tori made the food, but I helped.”
“I’m sure it’s delicious,” I say, watching how Tori averts her eyes when I look at her. “What’d ya make?”
Mila jumps up and down. “Sandwiches and salad.”
I’ll be starving again in an hour, but this sweet delivery fills me up in other ways. “Sure was thoughtful of you.” I wait until Tori looks at me to say those words to my daughter, so Tori knows they’re meant for her too.
I tell my ranch hands to take a break and corral my brood into the corner stall that’s been outfitted into a small office with an extra table.
Tori hands Cody to me, and I kiss his chubby belly and make him laugh while the girls set out the food. And holy shit, my daughter’s simple description of the meal doesn’t do it justice. Because Tori didn’tjustmake sandwiches and salad.
My mouth waters when I see the thick, succulent pieces of meat wedged between the lightly toasted slices of bread.
“You made a roast? And homemade potato salad?” My mom left a roast to thaw in the fridge before she left, and I guess there must’ve been a sack of potatoes somewhere in the pantry.
I’m almost tempted to say Tori looks embarrassed at the spread.
She tucks her hands in the back pockets of her cutoffs and nods. “That okay?” She glances up at me, her hair tumbling over her shoulders and hiding half of her face. “I probably should’ve asked first. There’s more than enough for you guys for dinner. If you don’t mind eating the same thing later.”
“This is amazing.” I get my daughter seated next to me and prop Cody on my lap while I dig in. Flavor explodes on my tongue with the perfect spices and just the right amount of mayo. The meat practically melts in my mouth.
I’m two bites in and halfway through a whole sandwich when Logan strolls up to our impromptu lunch.
“Did ya bring enough for me too?” he asks Tori, who is standing between me and Cody, helping him dig into a Tupperware of food that’s been cut into toddler-sized pieces.Shit. I should be doing that.
She tucks a long strand of hair behind her ear. “We brought plenty. I wasn’t sure how hungry Ethan would be, so if he doesn’t mind sharing…”
