She studies the small building, clearly curious about what it could be. The sun is starting to dip down behind the clouds. I set my tools down and walk over to her. Dolly and Eden are getting out of the car behind her.
“You’re not supposed to look yet.”
“In that case, you should’ve hidden it better.”
“It’ll be done in a few weeks. Then you can look.”
“And I can’t know what it is until then?” She tilts her head to the side.
“Nope.”
“Fine, I won’t look, but I’m starving. I guess we’ll have to eat outside. Who wants tacos for dinner?”
The boys let out twin whines. “No! Chicken nuggets!”
“No, not chicken nuggets. You’re going to turn into one if you eat any more of those.”
Dolly laughs, coming up to hook her arm through Dallas’s. “I’ll help you with dinner.”
“We’d really love to take them for a couple of nights and give you a break.”
I stare at Sandy’s face. She’s wearing a pinched smile, and I can tell Dallas is struggling to interpret what it means.
And I’m pissed that she had the audacity to show up on my ranch without an invitation.
“I’m just nervous after … after what happened. Is Matt going to be there?” Dallas asks, arms crossed over her stomach.
Sandy shakes her head, her gray bob swinging. “No. I promise you that. Daren and I are planning to take them to the zoo and to the park, all their favorite places. We miss them.”
My throat feels tight. I know she doesn’t want them to take the boys, but she feels guilty for saying no.
Dallas has expressed to me that Sandy has been so kind. Sandy hasn’t said a single mean word to her, ever, even though her daughter has. She feels like it’s wrong to deny her a relationship with her grandchildren because of her son’s actions.
“Okay. I guess that would be okay. Just for these next two nights.”
Sandy beams, her brown eyes sparkling. “Thank you! We’ll text you to meet up in a couple of days.”
After packing up the boys’ clothes and shoes and bidding them goodbye, Dallas releases an exhale.
I rub her arm. “You’re gonna be okay. We have a fun weekend ahead. We have the showdown, remember? And we’re gonna kick ass.”
She nods, lowering her lashes. “I know. I’m ready. It’s going to be fun. I need a drink.”
We practiced for the showdown all day yesterday. Dallas had no choice but to agree to be my partner now that we’re officially dating. Plus, I pointed out that if she wouldn’t do it, I’d have to ask another woman, which she really didn’t like.
She’s looking absolutely stunning in a tight black halter-top minidress and red lipstick. Her black boots and fishnet stockings are the perfect addition to the outfit, although I could do without the leering eyes following every single one of her steps.
I grab her waist, pulling her up against me. “You’re driving me wild with these hips tonight, Mamas.”
She smiles, tilting her head back. “It feels good to have fun with you. I don’t remember the last time I had this much fun.”
The best part about our relationship is that we’re not just sleeping together and we’re not just dating.
We’re friends too. We have fun, we laugh, and we enjoy being around each other more than anyone else.
We dance the first number on the floor with the other nine couples. I dip her back as the song ends, the cheers from the crowd booming around us.
I pull her up and press a kiss to her lips. The applause grows louder.