Page 82 of Little Bits of Daddy (Montana Daddies)

“You’re a lifesaver,” Daisy said sincerely as everyone else giggled, knowing what a sweet tooth she had and that Jed wouldn’t let her eat much.

The meanie.

“It all looks so good, I don’t know where to start,” Ari said quietly. The famous singer could be quiet and shy, which seemed crazy seeing as she used to sing to thousands of people. But her parents and manager had forced her into those concerts. She was happy living in her cabin, with big, scary Bain and creating her own music rather than touring around the country and singing to huge crowds.

Eden, Clint and Kent’s younger sister, rolled into the room, followed by Abby.

“Sorry I’m late,” Abby said, looking a bit stressed. “I was trying to get the bows right.” She was carrying a huge, wrapped silver box with a pink ribbon.

“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Charlie said.

“It’s from all of us.” Ellie bounced up and down as Abby handed it over with a smile.

Charlie looked over at Eden who gave her a wink before accepting a glass of pink lemonade from Daisy who was pouring them each some.

She opened up the box, her eyes widening in shock at the gift cradled in tissue paper.

“Oh my gosh. You guys, this is amazing.”

It was a large rose gold frame, but instead of just holding one photo there was a series of photos. All of them black and white. Most were of her and Clint. But the others all featured as well. Some photos were pictures of the ranch. And most of them were photos she’d taken.

“Where? How?” She sniffled, feeling overwhelmed.

“Clint helped,” Abby told her. “He snuck onto your laptop and sent them to me. I got them printed. Ellie and Daisy picked out the frame and everyone helped put it all together.”

“Do you like it?” Gigi asked.

Tears dripped down her face. “I love it. It’s amazing. Thank you so much. I can’t believe you did this for me.”

“Because we’re family,” Abby told her. She came and sat on her other side.

Ellie leaned her head against Charlie’s arm. “Family isn’t always who you’re born into. It can be,” she looked over at Eden who smiled gently, “but sometimes it’s who you make it.”

“You’re our family, Charlie.” Abby squeezed her hand.

“That’s one of the best things about living here,” Daisy added, looking around at them all. “Knowing there are people here who love you.”

“Care about you,” Gigi added.

“And don’t judge you,” said Caley. Ari nodded with a smile.

Eden leaned forward. “So don’t forget we’re always here for you, Charlie. No matter what.”

“I won’t,” Charlie told them, blinking back her tears.

The doorbell rang and Clint’s voice boomed through the house. “I’ll get it.”

Everyone started giggling, breaking the moment. But Ellie still leaned against her and Abby squeezed her hand tight.

And she knew they were right. Family was a choice. And she chose them.

Turned out,Marisol, the girl who came from the spa to do their nails and facials, was an absolute sweetheart. They’d ended up all getting their nails different colors from Ellie’s bright pink to Daisy’s buttery yellow to Ari’s classic red.

Charlie had opted for a very pale pink which she thought would look nice with her wedding dress.

“Would you like jewels on them? Or glitter?” Marisol asked her.

“Glitter?” Caley asked. “I’d like glitter.”

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