With a gasp, Chloe nodded in excitement then did some sort of happy dance while my parents took it all in. My little sister Amelia gave me a sweet smile. I stood back and took her in. Pictures of her over the years didn’t do her beauty justice.
“Holy shit. You’re a grown woman.”
She blushed. “Well, I was only twelve when you left.”
My heart dropped. “I’m sorry, Meli. I’m sorry I left you.”
Tilting her head, the grin grew wider. “I had four other brothers to take care of me.”
I shook my head as I brushed her strawberry blonde hair from her face. “My little sister. A New York Times bestselling author.” She blushed again, and I kissed her on the forehead. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Aunt Meli! Will you read me one of your books tonight before bedtime?”
Amelia laughed. “How about we read one of my favorite bedtime stories instead?”
Chloe pouted then smiled. “Is it about horses? Or cows? Or goats?”
Turning to give me a questioning look, I replied, “Chloe is somewhat obsessed with the idea of living amongst the cows, horses, and goats.”
Amelia walked up to Chloe and picked her up off the table. “Then I suggest we head down to the horse barn. I’ll introduce you to my favorite pony on the ranch. Stanley.”
Jumping with excitement, Chloe turned to me. “May I go, Daddy? Please?”
“Of course you can.”
My mother kissed Chloe on the cheek. “Have fun and remember, Amelia, back to school night is tonight, and we’re heading there before dinner.”
Amelia was about to say something when my mother shook her head. Frowning, Amelia glanced between our mom and me.
Chloe broke out into a dance. “I’m startin’ kindergarten. I’m a big girl! I’m gonna go to school!”
Everyone chuckled at Chloe’s outburst, everyone except for me. I groaned and shook my head. I wasn’t ready for any of this.
“Amelia, why don’t you take Chloe to the barn,” my mother said.
My sister took Chloe’s hand. “We’ll take a little tour and then head to the barn.”
“Okay!” Chloe said as she turned back and waved to me. “Later, Dad.”
I stumbled back and clutched my chest. “She called me … Dad. What in the hell? We’re hear five minutes and she’s grown up enough she thinks she can call me Dad?”
My father hit me on the back. “Come on, let’s go make a drink and you call tell us all about your trip down from Oregon.”
“Better make it a strong one,” I mumbled.
I followed my father into the den as my mother wrapped her arm around me. “I’ve already registered Chloe at the school. They only need you to sign a few things and provide a copy of her birth certificate and proof of immunizations.”
I hadn’t given my parents much notice before moving back to Texas. The divorce was quick and easy, and I’d gotten an offer on the house within three days of listing it. I’d given Kim half of the money I made on the house, even though she never put a dime of her money into it; it felt like the right thing to do.
Kissing my mother on the cheek, I said, “Thanks, Mom. I appreciate you taking care of all of that.”
She grinned. “I’m just so happy you’re home. Now if we can only get your sister Waylynn to move back.”
Dad handed me a rum and coke, and I asked my mother, “Is everything okay between her and Jack?”
My parents both frowned. Neither of them had liked Jack Wilson. In their eyes, he stole their oldest child away and forced her to give up her dreams. “She’s unhappy. I hear it in her voice when I talk to her. Amelia is going to New York in the spring. She’ll let me know if our Waylynn is happy or not.”
I took a drink and laughed. “Sending in the spy, huh?”
Mom lifted her brow and gave me an inquisitive look. My parents had seven kids. Each of us meant the world to them. If they had it their way, we’d all live on the ranch. Under one roof.
Waylynn, my oldest sister, was supposed to be a boy. Dad was certain of it and had planned on naming his first son after his favorite country singer, Waylon Jennings. When the baby came out a girl, he insisted on keeping the name Waylon. Mom agreed to it but changed the spelling. After Waylynn came my brother Tripp. As a kid, he took everything seriously. One reason he makes a good lawyer. Next came my brother Mitchell and me. The twins in the family. The only thing we ever had in common was looking like each other and even then, there were differences. While he always does the right thing, I seem to be the polar opposite. My mother stresses day in and day out over his job as a Texas Ranger. Mitchell loves being a cop though.