Page 132 of Choosing Forever
“Good. Smart. She’s too precious.” Taking a step back, Mom swipes beneath her eyes. “I was so worried about Delaney. I’ve been struggling with not forcing my way back into her life.”
The stacks of homemade, frozen meals in the garage freezer that I spotted a week after the news of Delaney’s grandmother started to spread were gone the next day. Mom never mentioned to me where she took them, but I always knew. She might be my blood, but she’s always seen Elle as another daughter. I couldn’t bring myself to ask if she’d seen her since she brought the food to her, but even if I did, she wouldn’t have told me with the state I was in. If I had to guess, though, I’d say no. Not with Abbie and Sasha being constants in my life.
“I don’t think she would have minded you trying, Mom. Not then and not now.”
Hope fills her expression. “Really? Is that your approval?”
“It’s my approval. But you’ll need hers. Just try not to overwhelm her, please.”
“Never. Oh, I’ve been so jealous ever since Poppy started blabbing about all the time they’ve been spending together. It was torture! Please, let me cook her dinner. Invite her over this week, I’m begging you.”
“That might be too soon,” I argue, unsure.
“Abbie’s with her mother, so she won’t have to know. Just at least ask Delaney. If she isn’t comfortable with that yet, then I’ll wait.”
“Alright, I’ll ask. But don’t get your hopes up just yet, alright?”
She nods, even though I know she’s already done that. “You got it.”
I crook a half-smile and hold my reply when Abbie comes back inside with my dad in tow. The man who raised me is tall and intimidating as hell but has shown his bleeding heart to me and my sister more than his stern scowl damn near every day. He’s kept up the tradition with my daughter.
“Hey, Dad.”
“Morning, Darren,” he mumbles.
“Breakfast! I’m going to make breakfast!” Mom announces, already setting herself in motion.
Dad checks his watch. “It’s quarter to eight.”
“I’ll be quick. Sit and talk to your son while I cook.”
“Yes, dear.”
I laugh and keep an eye on them for just long enough to see Dad steal a kiss from Mom before joining me. Abbie takes the seat between us and starts rambling about school while Mom sneaks a look at me and grins.
It’s enough to confirm that the moment I leave, she’ll have Dad completely up to date on everything we’ve just talked about. And I’m glad, because it’s about time they’re allowed to.
42
DELANEY
“Why are we at Steele Ranch?”I ask.
Darren taps the steering wheel. “I’ll give you two guesses.”
I stare out the window as we pass the tall, heavy gate with the Steele Ranch sign and crawl up the gravel road. It’s been years since I’ve been here. Over a decade, at least.
The largest cattle ranch in Alberta is the same as I remember. Open, bright, with rows upon rows of thick trees along the road leading up to the ranch house that seems to expand and expand the closer we get. There’s a second stable across the way, settled beside the original but far newer. Beyond them, you can see out for miles and miles, nothing but empty pastures and the towering scape of the Rocky Mountains.
I pat Darren’s thigh as he starts to turn us onto the grass in front of the ranch house. “Mm, are we here to pet the donkeys?”
“And risk having my ribs dented when I piss one off? No chance.”
“Oh, I know. We’re Eliza’s special baking testers.”
“I’m pretty sure Johnny and Brody have that covered, unfortunately.”
I pout and remove my hand. “Well, then I don’t know whywe’re here. Surely, you didn’t bring me here to go horseback riding.”
