“You paid it forward. I owe you, but I’m not sure why you have to be such a pain in my ass about it.”
Her eyes get glossy, and her lips pull into a smile. “I’m already an emotional mess. Don’t make me cry now that my makeup’s done.”
I squeeze her hand in return. And I mean it. Lottie and the rest of my family have been there for me more than I could ever repay them. When I came back to the ranch, I didn’t expect that months later I’d have a newborn daughter and a dead wife. I didn’t have the luxury of pride. I had to lean on the people I love. I’ve never been good at that, but I was left with no choice.
“You wouldn’t be you if you weren’t annoyed about something,” she teases.
I pause at the front door. “Live my life for a day and get back to me.”
I open the door and leave, escaping my sister and her new love glow. The door clicks shut, and I stand for a minute, her words ringing in my mind. Am I always annoyed? I shake my head. Just when it comes to her absurd ideas about guests who have no knowledge about planting and letting them loose in her garden. She’ll be lucky if half the plants don’t die.
I jog down the steps as Wren’s laugh echoes across the field. My mom’s chasing her.
“Wren!” she scolds, holding the delicate flower crown Wren’s supposed to be wearing today.
Wren circles me, dodging my reaching arms, and darts behind my legs as though I’m her personal fortress.
“What are you doing?” I ask, swiveling to catch her, but she spins away with every move I make.
Mom stops, hands on her hips, exasperated but smiling. “You little wildflower.”
Wren giggles, and somehow, I’m able to get my hands on her and scoop her up, spinning her around while she squeals. Her laughter is infectious even to my mom, who is definitely low on patience today.
“Why were you running?” I ask, setting her down.
“I was sitting in that chair forever.” She groans, and her eyes roll back, her body wiggling as if she’s made of Jell-O.
“The price of being a girl,” Mom says, finally placing the crown of flowers with ribbons on Wren’s head. “You said you wanted to get all dressed up.”
Wren looks up at me with blue eyes that match her mother’s. “It’s so boring. You just sit there, and you can’t move.”
“It’s called being pampered,” Mom says, pinning the hairpiece in place. “I could use a day of pampering. Your aunt has me running all over this ranch to make today the best day ever.”
My eyebrows raise. “You complaining?”
She playfully rolls her eyes but smiles. “Never. I love weddings. Especially when it’s one of my own.” Her gaze flicks to me and lingers a second too long.
“Daddy, what was your wedding to Mommy like?” Wren asks.
My mom’s smile tightens because she assumes I don’t want to be reminded of my biggest loss.
“Not like Aunt Lottie’s, that’s for sure.” I crouch, meeting Wren’s eyes.
She’s seen our wedding album, and I’ve told her all the same stories about the day I married Kristie. What a beautiful bride she made and how perfect that day was. And maybe it was beautiful, in some ways. But I left a lot out because… well, I’ll always leave it out. Kristie will always deserve to be on a pedestal for Wren, so I’m not going to tell her the full truth. Not ever.
“Have you seen Poppy anywhere?” I didn’t want to worry Lottie, but Poppy should have been here already with the flowers.
“Not yet. Want me to call her?” my mom asks.
I shake my head. “She’ll be here soon. Want to help me?” I ask Wren.
“Daddy, I’m the flower girl. I have to show up with Aunt Lottie.” Just then, Brooks’s truck rolls into the driveway. Wren jumps in the air and propels herself toward him. “Brooks!”
Mom loops her arm through mine as we follow. Brooks steps out wearing a casual suit and lifts Wren with ease, setting her on his hip.
“It’s good to see her happy,” Mom says quietly. “Are you… happy?”
I glance at her, surprised by her hesitation. My mom doesn’t usually tiptoe around hard questions. “Yeah, Mom, stop worrying about me.”
