“I have no clue.”

  As the song ended, Caden pushed Lilibeth out into a spin that seemed as if it would never end. The last note ended with him dipping her, and her leg coming up. The crowd went wild, including everyone at our little table. Even the woman Caden had been talking to all night.

  Another song instantly started, and Caden and Lilibeth both stood there for a moment. She took a step toward him and said something. He closed his eyes briefly and drew her closer. They started to dance as other couples moved around them in a slow two-step.

  I watched my best friend as he seemed to let go of something when Lilibeth lifted her gaze and met Caden’s. She smiled, then rested her head against his chest.

  Turning, I looked at Emeline, who was also watching her brother and Lilibeth. She smiled softly, then glanced down. I would have given anything to ask her what she was thinking in that moment.

  She must have felt my gaze on her because she lifted her head and looked directly at me. “If I ever see Rachel in this town again, I’m going to kick her ass for hurting my brother like she did.”

  I let out a soft laugh. “I do believe you’d do exactly that.”

  Her eyes searched my face before she asked, “Dance again?”

  Suddenly aware of the crackle in the air between us, I replied, “I think I’ll sit this one out.”

  The look of hurt passed so quickly over her face, I would have missed it if I hadn’t been staring at her so intently.

  “Emeline?”

  The sound of another man’s voice caused us both to turn to see Luke standing there.

  “Would you like to dance?”

  She stood. “I’d love to.”

  I watched them walk out to the dance floor. When he drew her close, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, I had to fight the urge to go cut in. Instead, I grabbed my beer and drank the rest of it as I tried to ignore the way my chest ached to see Emeline in another man’s arms.

  When I glanced at Ensley, she raised her brows. “What was that you were saying earlier?”

  I turned away and looked back to the dance floor, trying not to seek out Emeline and Luke. When the song ended and Caden returned to the table, I stood.

  “Ready to leave?”

  He looked flustered for a moment, but he nodded and said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  Emeline

  I sat back in my chair, pulled out a Swedish Fish, and popped it into my mouth. My mind drifted back to last weekend and the moment that passed between me and Levi. Had I imagined the way he’d looked at me?

  “Don’t be stupid, Emeline. Of course you did. He declined your request to dance, remember?” I exhaled and shook my head. “He’s not interested in you, so you need to just move on.”

  The sound of the knock on my open door caused me to let out a small yelp, then look to see my brother standing there with a grin on his face.

  “Taking to talking to yourself now, little sister?”

  “No. I was working something out in my head.”

  “Something? Or someone?”

  My head tilted as I regarded my brother. “No idea what you mean.”

  He sat down in the seat across from my desk. “Levi.”

  “What about Levi?”

  “Really? Are we going to do this?”

  I folded my arms over my chest, stubborn to the end. “Apparently, we are, because I have no idea what you’re talking about, Caden.”

  “You like him. I’ve always known you do.”

  For some silly reason, tears stung the back of my eyes.

  As if my brother could sense I was about to lose it, he reached across the desk and held out a hand.

  Placing mine in his, I sighed. “It would never work.”

  Frowning, he asked, “Why not?”

  “Oh, let’s see. For one, he thinks I’m too young. Second, he told me he has no interest in dating. And three, I’m your sister.”

  “Why does you being my sister matter?”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Isn’t there some kind of code? Like sisters are off limits or something?”

  Caden laughed. “If there is, I don’t know about it. Emeline, the only thing I want is for you to be happy. As long as the guy treats you like you deserve, I’m not going to sit here and tell you who you can and cannot date.”

  I smiled, but it faded slowly. “I appreciate that, but it doesn’t change the fact that Levi isn’t interested in dating anyone, least of all me.”

  He gave a one-shoulder shrug. “You didn’t see the way he was glaring at Luke when we left the bar Friday night.”

  A little bubble of hope welled up inside me. “He was not.”

  “Even Gatlin and Ensley noticed. She said Levi was asking about Luke.”

  I frowned. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Listen, I don’t know if Levi is ready to start dating, but I do know for a fact that he’s not heartbroken over Caroline. I think his healing has more to do with Brooke and starting over in River Falls with Rhett. I know I don’t have a great track record, but would you care for some advice from me anyway?”

  “Yes, please,” I said, as I leaned forward in anticipation.

  “Give him time, be his friend, and don’t try to hide what you’re feeling.”

  My eyes went wide. “You want me to tell him I have feelings for him?”

  “No, that’s not what I’m saying. But don’t be afraid to show them.”

  I felt my face screw up in confusion. “That doesn’t make any sense. You’re saying…flirt with him?”

  “No. I mean, a little flirting wouldn’t hurt. I’m just saying, don’t be afraid to show your feelings, Emeline.”

  I sighed. “I don’t know if I can do that. What if he only looks at me as a friend?”

  Caden stood. “Like I said, I’m not the best when it comes to stuff like this.”

  Standing as well, I replied, “I saw how you treated Rachel. You are good at stuff like this. You were just with the wrong person, that’s all. Speaking of—what in the world was that with you and Lilibeth on the dance floor? I haven’t seen you dance like that in so long!”

  He rolled his eyes. “The only reason I danced with her was to shut her up. My God, that girl is so…peppy. Is she always like that?”

  “Happy? Positive? Caring? Yes, she is. And she’ll be helping me with the summer camps.”

  “As long as she stays away from my side of the ranch.”

  With a frown, I asked, “What do you have against Lilibeth?”

  He gave me a look that said my question wasn’t even worth answering. “She’s annoying as hell. Just keep her on your side of the ranch.”

  Before I could say anything else, he turned and walked out of my office just as my mother appeared.

  “Morning, Mom,” Caden said, bending down to kiss her on the cheek.

  “Well, good morning, Caden darling.” Her eyes bounced from Caden to me. “Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s peachy,” he replied, glancing back at me before he walked away.

  My mother shook her head and walked into my office. She reached down and took one of my Swedish Fish. “How do you eat these things and stay so thin?”

  I shrugged. “Good genes?”

  She chuckled, motioned for me to sit back down, and she took a seat as well.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, why wouldn’t it be?”

  Studying her face, I replied, “Because you seem like something is wrong.”

  “Fine. There are two things we need to talk about. One—The Daily Dirt.”

  Leaning forward, I scowled. “What did they say this time?”

  “They mentioned the annual pie contest.”

  “This early?”

  She nodded. “You know why, don’t you?”

  Now I had to fight to keep the smile off my face. My mother and Grace Miller always went toe-to-toe in the annual pie contest. My mother’s cherry pie had won more than Grace’s caramel apple pie, which, honestly, was heavenly. But Mom’s cherry pie was to die for.

  “Can’t say I do,” I answered.

  Mom’s mouth fell open slightly, as if I’d offended her by not knowing the reason. “It’s obvious. She’s trying to hype up her stupid caramel apple pie by writing about it!”

  Pressing my lips together, I nodded gravely. “Did she write about her pie?”

  Sighing in frustration, my mother nodded. “Yes, Emeline, she did! She mentioned how many times she’s won, and then, at the end of the article, she said this year’s cherry crop isn’t looking so good! What in the hell? She doesn’t even grow cherries.”

  My hand flew up to cover my smile.

  “This isn’t funny, Emeline Wilde. The woman is raising doubts about the cherries. People are going to have it in their heads my cherries are no good.”

  “Mom,” I started in a calming voice, “no one is going to think your cherries…aren’t good.” I had to press my lips together to keep from giggling. After a stern look from my mother, I got myself in check. “Everyone loves your cherry pie, and no matter what Grace or Janet writes, people will know your cherries are as delicious as ever the second they taste them.”

  She leaned back in her chair. “I need to fight fire with fire. I’ve gone too many years letting that woman take digs at me in her little subtle ways. No more!”

  I jumped when she shouted the last two words. “What do you mean, fight fire with fire?”

  Mom stood, placed her hands on her hips, and smiled. “I’m going to have an article written in my own newspaper!”

  “What?” I asked, nearly knocking over my chair as I stood. “You don’t own a newspaper.”

  She chewed on her lip and nodded. “Can’t talk right now, Emeline. I need to do some research.”

  Blinking, I rushed to follow her to her office across the hall. “Mom, you can’t just start a newspaper.”

  She sat down behind her desk, pulled the old-fashioned Rolodex toward her—which I still didn’t understand why she used—pulled out a card, and held it up.

  “Ha! Here we go.” When she saw my confused expression, she smiled. “I’m going to call a friend of mine in Denver.”

  Shaking my head, I asked, “And?”

  “She owns The Colorado Post. I’m going to ask her to do an article about River Falls and our annual pie contest, and mention me and my famous cherry pie.”

  I was pretty sure my mouth was hanging open in stunned silence.

  “Don’t you see?” When I didn’t say anything, she went on. “Not only will it bring even more people to River Falls, which will be great for the economy, but they’ll come just for my pie! It’ll drive Grace mad!”

  I held up my hands and closed my eyes. “Okay, wait, Mom. Where is this really coming from? You don’t have to prove anything to Grace Miller.”

  “I know I don’t, but she crossed a line when she went after my cherries. And my hen!”

  Blinking at her, I asked, “She insulted Mildred?”

  Mildred was my mother’s pride and joy. We often teased her that she loved Mildred more than her own kids.

  “Yes! In the same article, she said Mildred wasn’t really an Orpington! She crossed two lines.”

  “What about all the times she went after the family? Like when she claimed it was really Gatlin working as a farrier, and not Ensley?”

  She waved me off. “Everyone knew those were made-up lies.”

  “What about when she said I didn’t deserve to win the state championship in barrel racing?”

  Snapping her head up, she pointed at me. “I went down to the gift shop and demanded she retract that!”

  I bit my lip. I’d forgotten she’d done that.

  “Are you trying to say I care more about my cherries and chickens than I do my own kids?”

  “No. But do I need to remind you about the time when the new pediatrician asked you my birthdate, and you gave him Mildred’s birthday, instead.”

  Her cheeks turned pink. “That was one time, Emeline. Are you ever going to let that go?”

  “You got my birthday mixed up with a chicken’s, Mom.”

  She stared at me…then sat back in her chair with a sigh. “Oh my God…what is wrong with me?”

  “It’s okay,” I said, kicking at nothing on the floor. “It hurt at the time, but I’m over it.”

  When she didn’t say anything, I glanced up to find her scowling at me. “I’m not talking about that, Emeline. I’m talking about letting Grace get to me. I lost my head for a moment.”

  “Good. I’m glad you see that.”

  She smiled softly. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  “Sure thing. I’d better get back to work.”

  Turning, I started to leave…then stopped and glanced back at her. “But I’d still call your friend in Denver. That was a genius idea.”

  She winked. “Oh, I intend to.”

  I headed back to her office when I remembered she’d had two things to talk about. She was already on the phone with her friend. Smiling, I turned around and walked away. Whatever the second thing was, it could wait.

  I pulled up and parked behind Ensley’s Ford F-250. I was the only one in the family who drove a pickup truck solely when needed. Otherwise, I was in my Subaru Outback, which I loved.

  Opening the back, I let Moose jump out, and he headed straight to the front door of my mother and father’s house.

  The door opened, and he flew past my father and, most likely, straight for the kitchen. Dad laughed as he shook his head.

  “I’m beginning to think he likes you and Mom more than me.”

  He drew me in for a quick hug. “Nonsense. It’s just that Grandma and Grandpa’s house is more fun.”

  “I guess so,” I replied.

  “He’ll be happy to see Rhett here.”

  I nearly tripped over my own two feet. “Rhett?”

  Dad glanced back at me. “Levi and Rhett are here.”

  “For Sunday dinner?”

  He stopped and turned to me, a surprised look on his face at my incredulous tone. “Emeline, Levi’s like a son to us, and if there was ever a time he and Rhett needed family, it’s now.”

  I blinked a few times. “I didn’t mean it like that, Dad. I was just surprised, I guess.”

  The look of disappointment on his face was brief, but I never wanted to see that again. “I didn’t think you meant anything by it. Now, let’s go see my granddog.”

  He headed toward the kitchen, and I drew in a few deep breaths. I hadn’t seen Levi since the honky-tonk—over a week ago. The memory of being in his arms was still seared in my brain. But regardless of what Caden said, I needed to remind myself that he wasn’t interested. He’d made that clear, and I needed to respect it.

  I headed in the direction my father had gone. My parents’ house wasn’t like modern homes. When they built it, the open-floor concept wasn’t a thing, or at least, it wasn’t as popular. Stepping into the ample kitchen, I glanced around quickly but only found my mother and father, Moose begging at Mom’s feet.

  “Where is everyone?” I asked.

  Mom looked up and smiled. “Hi, sweetheart. They’re all in the backyard playing games.”

  “Did you need any help with dinner?” I hoped she’d say yes and not send me outside. I wasn’t ready to face Levi just yet. I wasn’t sure why I was being such a coward. I was going to have to see him a lot over the summer.

  “Everything’s taken care of. Your father and I are making a salad, and dinner will be ready soon. Head on out back with the rest of the kids. Take Moose with you; he’ll love playing with everyone.”

  Whelp, looked like I was heading out back. I forced a smile and made my way through the kitchen. I stepped out onto the back porch that stretched the length of the house, and Moose shot right by me. Six steps led you off the covered porch and into a large backyard with lush grass. A volleyball net was set up on the right. Caden, Gatlin, Ensley, and Levi were playing. The latter two were partnered up against my brothers.

  My eyes landed on Levi, and I had to grab the porch rail to keep my legs from going out from under me. He had his shirt off and was covered in sweat. Six-pack abs led to a massive chest, and his arms were… Well, they were pure perfection.

  Looking at the sky, I whispered, “Why do you hate me?”

  A whistle blew, causing me to jump. Rhett was standing right between the two sides, and he pointed toward Ensley and Levi. “That’s another point for Team Daddy— A dog!” he shouted, dropping to his knees. And Moose, who lived up to his name—all eighty-five pounds of him—ran right to Rhett, knocking him over and covering him with kisses. The sound of Rhett laughing made my chest tighten slightly.

  “You cheated!” Caden shouted.

  Laughing, Ensley retorted, “How did I cheat?”

  Caden glanced at Gatlin. “Tell me you didn’t see her hit that two times in a row?”

  Gatlin shrugged. “Honestly, I was watching the way this motherfucker’s abs flexed when he jumped.”

  “Language Gatlin!” Emeline said.

  Levi laughed as he flexed, and I nearly let out a whimper.

  One more look above. “Really? Why?”

  “Christ on a cracker, Levi, are you taking steroids?” Ensley asked, squeezing his biceps. I had never envied or hated my sister until that moment.

  “It’s called working out.” He winked. Then, as if he could sense my stare, he looked over to me. I quickly started down the steps, my eyes focused on the grass in front of me.

  “Emeline!” Gatlin cried out. “Thank fuck!”

  “Gatlin!” Ensley cried out. “Rhett is right here!”

  My brother slapped a hand over his mouth. “I’m sorry, little dude, I keep forgetting!”

  Rhett shrugged and went back to playing tug with Moose. He’d somehow found a tug toy in the backyard. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

  “Get in here and play with us. We need you!”

  I looked around at everyone except Levi. I did everything I could to avoid him, in fact. “As fun as that sounds, Mom said dinner’s almost finished.”

  “No!” Caden and Gatlin shouted at the same time.

  “They’re up by one!” Gatlin added.