Everyone else raised their glasses, their gazes locked on his grandfather.
“To Mr. Higgins. You raised an exceptional daughter. I know you are watching over her. We’ll do the same. Rest in peace.” His grandfather tapped his glass to Sadie’s, kissed her hand, and sipped his drink.
Tears gathered in Sadie’s eyes as she tapped everyone else’s glasses. She took a sip and set her glass down with an unsteady hand.
Rory reached for her, rubbing her back and brushing his fingers through her long hair. “How’s that pack of ornery horses doing?” Rory wanted to get everyone talking about something to get Sadie’s mind off her dad, at least long enough to get her to eat something. Her pale skin and the dark circles beneath her eyes made him want to take her upstairs and tuck her in bed, but she needed some food and time to settle her mind and heart.
“They miss you, Sadie,” Ford said.
“You and Rory should go for a ride tomorrow,” Colt suggested.
Sadie swallowed the small bite she took. “It’s been a while since I got a ride in. I’d love to go.”
“Anything you want, sweetheart.” Rory squeezed her hand on the table.
“I hate to take you away from your work longer.”
“These guys can cover for me.”
“Lord knows Rory works harder than all of us. He deserves to take whatever time he wants. Being with you is a good reason to set work aside for a few days and enjoy your company,” Granddad said, stuffing another bite of pot pie into his mouth like he wasn’t playing matchmaker.
Rory didn’t need the help. Didn’t want it, but he appreciated that his family didn’t mind his taking some time off to be with her.
Sadie mindlessly ate her food, surprised she could swallow past the lump she couldn’t dislodge for the building emotions roiling inside her. She missed her father, felt overwhelmed by what she needed to do next and the life she had to face without the support, understanding, and love from her dad.
Rory caught up on the ranch business with his brothers. Grandpa Sammy interjected his thoughts, orders, and niggling comments, all laced with a touch of humor, to the boys he so openly adored. They had such an easy way with one another. In addition to the love they showed each other, respect shone through in the way they interacted. Although Rory oversaw the ranch, it was clear he valued his brother’s opinions and contributions. She’d never felt the camaraderie she witnessed among the brothers. Their parents’ death had brought them together and bonded them as more than family. They were friends. They were brothers in the deepest sense of the word.
“Pretty girl, do you want some more?” Grandpa Sammy asked.
She stared down at her empty plate. “Uh, no thank you. It was very good. I don’t know why you guys wanted me to cook.”
“It was my late wife’s best dish,” Grandpa Sammy said, pride and sorrow laced in his words.
“I’d love the recipe.”
“I’ll teach you how to make it one day soon.”
“It’s the one thing he insisted all us boys learn to cook,” Rory added.
“It’s nice that you all switch off cooking each day.”
“Let’s face it, Sadie, we’re all happier and eat better when you’re doing the cooking. We get by, but you outdo us every time,” Ford said.
Sadie gave Ford a halfhearted smile, unable to keep up the pretense that she wasn’t falling apart on the inside.
“Oh God.” She smacked the back of her hand to her forehead. “I totally forgot to call work and let them know I wouldn’t be in today. They probably left me a dozen messages.”
Rory touched her shoulder. The comfort and warmth that simple touch evoked in her made her heart soar despite the weight of grief dragging it down.
“Sweetheart, I called work for you. Luna took your shift. She said she’d give you the tips because you need them for school.”
Colt pressed his lips together and turned his head to hide the glimpse of regret she saw in his eyes when Rory mentioned Luna’s name.
“Thank you for doing that. I seem to have lost my mind yesterday. I still don’t quite have it back.”
“It’s fine. I took care of it. Luna said she’d call you tomorrow. If there’s anyone else you’d like me to call, I’m happy to do it for you.”
It was hard to believe she once thought this sweet man forbidding or scary.
“I’ve got a few distant relatives to contact, but I’ll wait and do that when I have the funeral details.”
“What’s this about school?” Grandpa Sammy asked.
“Um, I take online college courses. I’m working on my English degree. By that I mean I’ve been taking classes for the last eight years, trying to finish it.”