Rustic Hearts

A couple of weeks? I wasn’t expecting to be here longer than a few more days.

“Weeks?”

“Yep.”

She smiles huge, and I get the uneasy feeling that she and my aunts are in cahoots to keep me in Poplar Falls.

“I don’t think I can stay for weeks.”

“Sure you can. You can work from anywhere, remember?”

“I can, but I can’t take advantage of Charlotte. Plus, I have an apartment, and my mom will lose her mind if I’m gone for that long.”

“Well, I don’t know who Charlotte is, but I assume she is an adult and will be just fine. Your apartment is just a building. It’s not like it has to be fed and watered. And as far as your mom goes, again, she is an adult, and she will be just fine.”

“Do you remember my mom?”

“Yes, and I know she can be a little high-strung, but you’re a grown-ass woman. She can’t make you come home until you’re good and damn ready.”

I balk. “A little high-strung? Obviously, your memory isn’t that great.”

“No, it is. I’m just saying, maybe it’s time to put your foot down and set some boundaries for Mommy dearest.”

“I’ll think about it. I can call Charlotte and get her thoughts. She’s my friend and my assistant. She helps me handle Mom.”

“Sounds like a plan. Now, we shop.”

Three hours later, and I’m the proud owner of a brand-new Colorado-appropriate wardrobe. I don’t even know how it happened. Dallas just has a way of talking me into things. I guess that is one thing that hasn’t changed since we were kids.

When we pull back up to the ranch, Daddy and Emmett are sitting on the porch, playing checkers, just like they did every Saturday afternoon when I was a kid.

Dallas and I grab all the bags out of the back of the truck and head up the steps.

Emmett watches us with an amused expression. “Good afternoon, ladies. Whatcha got there?” he asks.

“Real clothes for Sophie,” Dallas answers before I can.

Daddy turns in his chair and eyes the bags in our arms. Then, he looks up at us. “Pla

I shrug. “I haven’t made up my mind yet. Is it a problem if I do?”

“This is your home, Sophie. You’re always welcome here. Stay forever if you want to.”

“Okay. Thank you.” I nod my head at him and open the door.

Dallas and Emmett beam at each other like they just witnessed the signing of the Treaty of Versailles.

If only it were that easy.