Page 48 of Loved By Tandy

When Eli rounds the corner, his jaw drops. “That’s a first.”

“Right?”

But she’s holding her arms out to her daddy within seconds.

“What can I give her? I have some berries. Frozen peas. Cookies.” I keep a stash of treats for the littles, but I always ask.

“I brought stuff for her.”

Eli is a great daddy. While he gets her settled at the table, I toss a frozen dinner into the microwave.

I’ve been thinking about what will happen to this ranch after I’m gone. And with Mario leaving, I’m thinking about it more in the present.

This land once belonged to my parents, and I hope to keep it in the family. When everyone is in town next month, I should bring that up.

But not today. “How are you and Delaney doing? Everything good?”

Besides his daughter, there is only one topic that puts a big smile on his face, and that’s Delaney. I knew the first time hebrought her out here, that he’d found his person. Watching him talk about Delaney is like watching Tandy talk about her ranch.

A week later,I’m up before the sun to tackle chores on my ranch before meeting Tandy on hers. Mario is out of town this week, and I’m getting a taste of what life will be like when he’s gone.

Not wanting to cut into my time with Tandy, I’ve been shorting my sleep. And I’m feeling it.

CHAPTER 19

TANDY

After kissing Matthew goodbye, I walk back to my truck. Dallas mentioned that he’d be talking to Beau and Clint today, so I’m waiting to hear from him. And probably Beau.

I don’t want my friends to be upset, but since the idea of a ranch popped in my head, I’ve wanted Dallas to be a part of it. His mom felt stronger about family than I did. Mostly because she did all the things my parents expected, and I chose other paths.

Her ability to forgive the wrongs of our childhood amazed me, and now that I’m living life without her around, I want to hold tight to those family connections. Dallas isn’t the warmest, but he’s kind. After his engagement fell apart and his parents died, all within weeks of each other, something changed. He hasn’t been the same.

Knowing that his dedication to bachelorhood is rooted in pain, I don’t push him. I’d be tickled to see him find love, but even I know when not to push it.

I’m halfway home when Dallas calls.

“Hello?”

“I told ’em. Let them know that I’d be around a few more months, but that I’d be leaving to go be part of Matchmaker Ranch. They understood.”

“They probably hate me, but I’m so excited that you are going to run this place. And grateful. There is no way I would know what to do.”

“Matthew has run cattle. He has a ranch.”

“And Matthew is in his seventies. He’s twice your age, Dallas.”

There is a chuckle on the other end of the line. “Sometimes I forget how old he is. And you. Y’all are both pretty spry for your age.”

“It’s my stubbornness. They say that the good die young. I might live forever.” I don’t actually think that, not the live forever part, but about not being good. When I was growing up, there was a picture painted of what my life should be like, and that was labeled as good. I did not choose that life. And my parents made their disappointment very clear over the years. It kept me away from this town for a long time.

Even after they passed on, I only returned to see my sister on occasion. Being around Matthew has been good for me. I’m happy with the life I chose. I don’t have lingering regrets about not being the perfect small-town wife.

Matthew and I wouldn’t have worked back then. We wanted different things. I chased my dreams, and he lived the life he wanted.

What we have now works because he’s widowed and I’ve finally embraced this small-town life. And I appreciate that he’s now helping me make more dreams come true.

“Once they’re finished with the house, I’ll hand over the keys. You can move in whenever. And like I said, if you want to build another house somewhere on the property, I’m totally fine with that.”

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