“Oh, everything smells delicious, Amelia,” I said as I entered the kitchen for dinner. “Are you sure I can’t help you with anything?”
“You’re such a sweetheart, Lucy, but no, I’ve got everything handled.”
Ranger chuckled from the side of the kitchen and I looked over at him. I smiled curiously, wanting him to explain why he was laughing.
“Oh, Lucy, you’ll soon learn that Amelia doesn’t like help in the kitchen. She loves to do it all herself. She might seem easygoing in many ways, but not when it comes to her food.”
“Now, now, Ranger,” she chided him. “You don’t want to scare Lucy off.
“I’m not scared,” I laughed. “I think that’s amazing. If I had something that I did really well, I wouldn’t want someone who wasn’t half as good as me to be doing it either.”
“You see, she gets you, dear.” Ranger walked over and rubbed her on the shoulder. “Now, may I please have one of those croissants?”
“I told you no, Ranger. If you have croissants now, you’re going to ruin your appetite for dinner.”
“I always have a huge appetite, my love. I can always eat your food.”
“Yes, you can, but I want to make sure that it remains that way, and it’s not going to remain that way if I let you have croissants before dinner.”
I started laughing. “Oh, you two are funny.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’ve been married for a long time,” Amelia said, her eyes twinkling. “Now, I was going to make an apple pie for dessert, but I also have some fresh blackberries. Which would you prefer, blackberries or apples?”
“Oh, either one. I don’t mind,” I said. “What do the others prefer?”
“Well, you’re our guest,” she said cheerfully. “It’s really up to you.”
“Oh, well, I love apple pie, but blackberries are in season, right? And they’re always so delicious, so maybe let’s try that.”
“Oh, Austin’s going to be upset.” Ranger laughed.
“Oh, why?” I said. “Does he prefer apple pie?”
“No, he loves blackberry pie,” Ranger chuckled.
“So then why would he be upset?” I was confused.
“Oh, maybe he didn’t tell you, dear. Austin’s gone to the log cabin, so he won’t be joining us for dinner.” Amelia studied my face. “He said he needed to get some stuff done further out on the ranch, and that he needed some space.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize …”
I didn’t know what to say. I was sad, which was weird because I shouldn’t be sad. It wasn’t like I was here to be with Austin, and he didn’t owe me anything. But why hadn’t he told me that he was going to go away? Why hadn’t he told me that he was feeling overwhelmed? Was it because of me he was feeling overwhelmed? Was he over everything? Was he over me?
I looked up to see Amelia and Ranger staring at me. “Well, I’m sure he’ll have an amazing time. The log cabin did seem really cool.”
“Yes, it’s a very nice cabin,” Ranger nodded. “Though not a place where you would raise a family.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t look like Austin’s raising a family anytime soon, does it?” I realized I might’ve sounded bitter. “But good for him. I’m glad he really enjoys it.”
“Yes, he does,” Amelia said with a small smile. “We’ll miss him, but he’ll be home soon.”
All of a sudden, I felt deflated. I couldn’t believe how low I was suddenly feeling just because I knew I wouldn’t be seeing Austin for a while.
“Hey, Lucy.” Beau walked into the kitchen with a huge grin on his face. “What smells so good?”
“I’m making pot roast with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables.” Amelia beamed. “Maybe you can take Lucy into town this evening after dinner, show her that there’s actually stuff going on in this town so she doesn’t want to leave?”
“Sure. Want to go to the bar?” Beau grinned. “I’m always down for the bar, and maybe Austin and Wyatt can join us?”
“Join you with what?” Wyatt walked into the kitchen, looking suspicious.
“The bar.” Beau turned to his brother and slapped him on the back. “I know you love going.”
“Oh, sure, I’m down. I’ll see if Sadie is free.” He pulled out his phone.
“I thought she had a date tonight?” I asked.
Wyatt frowned. “I have no idea what she’s playing at,” he grumbled.
“What she’s playing at?” Amelia raised an eyebrow. “She’s not allowed to date?”
“Whatever,” Wyatt shrugged. “When’s dinner going to be ready? I’m hungry.”
“In about 30 minutes,” Amelia replied. “And Beau, Austin rode off to the log in a huff, so he won’t be joining you guys tonight.”
“What bee got into his bonnet?” Wyatt looked around the kitchen.
“What do you mean?” I asked, wondering at his choice of words.
“Austin goes to the cabin when he wants to think.” Wyatt did air quotes as he said “think.” “What does he have to think about so much, anyway?”
“I’m sure he has a lot on his mind.” Amelia looked at Beau and then at me, and I blushed. What did she know? Why was she looking at us? Was that just a coincidence?
“Come on, Lucy. Let’s go and sit by the fire pit,” Beau nodded at me. “It’s a nice night tonight, Ma. Maybe we can eat outside?”
“Perfect idea.” Amelia nodded in agreement. “You and your brothers set up the picnic table, and Ranger, you get the fire going, okay, dear?”
“Yes, my love.” He grinned at her.
I envied their easygoing relationship. I would love to meet a man that looked at me the way that Ranger looked at Amelia. He was such a tall, gruff guy. People that didn’t know him would never guess he was a soft, loving teddy bear of a man.
I looked around at the Hamilton family members in the kitchen, and I almost choked on how deep the love was. This was a family that cared and whose bonds were stronger than I’d ever seen before, and I was both jealous and happy. Jealous because I wanted to be a part of this crazy clan, and happy because I was here and being embraced without them even knowing me that well.
“Can I take some pictures of you guys tonight?” I asked, wanting to capture their essence in photographs. “Just some casual shots,” I said quickly.
“That would be lovely, dear,” Amelia nodded. “It’s a pity Austin and the other boys aren’t here as well.”
“I know, I can’t wait to meet your other sons. I’m sure they must be amazing as Austin, Beau, and Wyatt.” I noted that I mentioned Austin’s name first and I hoped no one else noticed.
“What the hell?” Wyatt exclaimed and I looked at him in surprise. Was he really that taken aback? “Sorry, not you, Lucy. I just called Sadie to ask if she wanted to come over for dinner and then go to the bar later, and she sent me to voicemail.”
Amelia smiled blandly at her son. “Seems like she’s busy, dear. You will have to get used to that. She will soon find a husband and then you will find she will have even less time for you, and then once she has kids …” Her words trailed off.
Wyatt frowned. “She’s not ready for that life. We’re too young for marriage and kids.”
“Well, you might be too young,” Beau chuckled, “but obviously she’s not.”
“So annoying,” Wyatt slammed his phone down on the countertop. “Frigging voicemail again.”
“Why don’t we go outside?” I suggested. “And maybe you can text her about coming to the bar later. Maybe she’ll be free then.”
“Maybe.” Wyatt was definitely in my grumpy mood now.
“So, Lucy,” Beau linked arms with me as we walked outside, changing the subject. “Did I ever tell you about my mushroom foraging hobby? We should totally go some time.”
Had he forgotten again that I didn’t like mushrooms?
“Um, yeah, that might be nice,” I mumbled, trying to ignore the feelings of self-recrimination as I talked to him. I had no interest in Beau, absolutely no interest at all. All I could think about was Austin, and all I wanted was to be at the log cabin with him right now.