On the way back to where Elaine had parked her SUV, Holly Jo spotted Tana and her group of friends coming up the sidewalk. For a moment, she panicked. She didn’t want to see them, not now, maybe not ever. But they’d already seen her, and she wasn’t about to let them think she was afraid of them.
Tana slowed as she approached, almost looking afraid to pass her on the street, even though her friends were with her. Holly Jo waited, unsure what was going to happen, feeling anxious, but almost curious.
To her surprise, the girl stopped and said, “Hi. Glad you’re okay.” Some of the others echoed her words in mumbles. “I like your short hair. It’s cute on you.”
Her hand went to her hair. She was still trying to get used to it. She realized it was the nicest thing Tana had ever said to her. “Thanks.”
“Guess we’ll see you in school. Summer is going way too fast. Sucks.” More agreement from her friends.
Holly Jo nodded. “Sucks.”
“Well, see ya around,” Tana said, and with a little wave, she and her group walked away.
She watched them go, feeling thrown off balance. She’d understood the old Tana. This one confused her. When Elaine came out of the post office, she asked, “Those girls weren’t giving you trouble, were they?”
“Nope.” With that, she climbed into the SUV, leaned back and just breathed. Gus was right. She was different. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but then realized she felt okay. The thought made her smile.
Elaine climbed behind the wheel, studied her for a moment, and then started the engine and headed out of town.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
THE FOURTH OF JULY party was Holden’s idea. “I think we’re due a celebration after everything that has happened.”
Elaine looked skeptical. “It’s just that...” She shook her head. “Why not? You’re right.” Just as Holden had suspected, Elaine had gotten off with a fine, time served in jail and community service. Charlotte had gotten a lesser sentence and had been able to leave the county. Or maybe she’d left the country. Holden didn’t know.
When former Stafford Ranch manager Boyle Wilson had heard that Charlotte had been exonerated, he’d been furious and began to talk. While telling everything he knew about her, he’d mistakenly dug his own grave by admitting that he’d overheard her on the phone and beat her to the McKenna Ranch. There he found Dixon—bleeding but alive.
He thought he finally had Charlotte where he wanted her—but only if Dixon was dead. He couldn’t stand the man as it was, so he’d shot him, thinking that he would plant the .22 at her house if she ever crossed him—or, worse, tried to fire him.
“We could do it over Fourth of July weekend,” Holden said, determined to start over. “I’ll buy lots of fireworks.” She made a face. “Maybe not too many, given that we’ve just moved into the new house after the other one burned down.”
He changed the subject, the fire and how they’d almost lost Holly Jo still too fresh on everyone’s mind. “You haven’t heard from Charlotte, have you?” She shook her head. “I feel bad about how I left things the last time I saw her. If you hear from her...”
“I’ll tell her you want to at least talk to her. How would that be?”
He smiled. “Thank you. I’m not doing this in the hope of bringing Charlotte back to Powder Crossing. It’s a chance to bring the families together. To put the animosity to rest.”
She cocked her head at him. “One word. Treyton.”
“Yes, he won’t attend the party, I’m sure. Hell, Bailey might not even show up, and Duffy’s down in Wyoming. Cooper and Tilly will come, though. Pickett and Oakley, too. Maybe you should see if Holly Jo would like to invite a few friends.” Again, Elaine looked skeptical, but said she would ask. “Ryder will probably come, don’t you think? Be sure and invite Deacon, too.” He saw her face heat for a moment. “I’m delighted that you two have—”
Her look made him choke back whatever else he’d planned to say.
“I’ll invite everyone,” she said as she started to walk toward the kitchen. “Let’s leave it at that.”
“Why is it that my love life has always been fair game?” Holden said under his breath, but loud enough that she could hear.
She didn’t take the bait, and he was almost relieved. The truth was, he didn’t have a love life and hadn’t for years. Who was he kidding? He was lonely and missed Lottie like a lost limb. He’d give anything if she showed up for the party, but he knew better than to hold out hope.
BRAND HAD NEVER been this nervous in his life. He’d decided to ask Birdie to marry him at the Fourth of July party at McKenna Ranch.
As fireworks exploded all around them, he looked over at Birdie, instantly charmed by her expression. She was staring upward, eyes wide in awe, as if she’d never seen anything like this before. Maybe she hadn’t. Holden had gone all out, even though Brand had heard that Elaine had tried to dissuade him from buying too many.
All Brand knew was that he wanted to snatch a star out of the sky and give it to Birdie. Anything to see that wonder in her eyes when she looked at him.
She glanced over at him, her gaze softened in the lights bursting around them. He felt anchored to the spot as she reached out to cup his cheek, before she leaned in and kissed him. Drawing back, she whispered, “Thank you.”
He had no idea what he’d done other than invite her to the party—just that he wanted to do whatever it took to make her happy for the rest of his life. He pulled her to him. “Let’s take a walk.” He held her hand, and they wandered away from the barbecue area some distance from the new house and into the darkness of the thick cottonwoods along the Powder River.
Drawing her to a stop, he pulled her close and said, “I don’t want you to leave.” He rushed on before she could speak. “I know I probably wouldn’t be your grandmother’s choice for you, but I...I...” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you. Marry me, Birdie Malone. Make me the happiest cowboy this side of Chicago.”
She looked so serious for a moment that he feared she would turn him down. “You’re wrong. Nana would have loved you, Brand. Just like I do.”
Sweeping her up in his arms, he kissed her hard, then drew back to just look at her as he slowly lowered her to the ground. After his mother’s disastrous relationships, he’d had no plans to ever marry. But then again, he’d never been in love before. He’d never handed over his heart, not sure it wouldn’t get crushed or that he might never get it back.
“I love you,” he said again. “Heaven help me, but I love you more than my next breath. So, was that a yes?”
Birdie laughed. “You sure about what you’re getting into?”
“Not in the least,” he said and laughed, too. “But I can’t wait to find out. There’s never a dull moment with you, Birdie Malone. It should be one hell of a ride.”
“Then yes. I’ll marry you. Saddle up, cowboy. This is going to be fun.”
THE SHERIFF HAD been invited to the big shindig out at McKenna Ranch. Holden himself had called with the invitation.
“I don’t think I ever thanked you for saving my life,” the rancher said. “Thank you. You’re a good sheriff. Better than your father.”
The compliment had taken him by surprise in more than one way. His father had been kind of a legend in the Powder River Basin. “Thank you, Holden. But I’m afraid I can’t make the party unless I have to break up a fight or haul someone off to jail.”
