Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1)(111)

“Tongues were wagging.” Cricket told her what Bryce had said about giving everyone in town something to talk about. “He did an amazing job, but he said it was all real, not just for show.”

“Like I said, I should leave town more often,” Jennie Sue said, “and you should keep me informed a little better. I don’t like getting things secondhand either.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cricket agreed. “Bryce got a call at the same time I did, and he’s on his way back. Talk to you later.”

“I’ll expect details,” Jennie Sue said.

“I know, I know,” Cricket groaned.

*



A quarter moon hung in the dark sky with bright stars dancing all around it when Bryce walked Cricket to her door that evening at ten o’clock. They’d had ice cream, talked about anything and everything while they ate it, and then talked some more on the way home. She’d never been so comfortable with a guy in her whole life.

“I told you that the call back at the café was my father, and I’ve been trying to figure out a way to ask you to meet him and my mother. Is that too forward or too soon for you? Dad and Mama are coming to Bloom on Saturday and staying over until Sunday after church. Since my place is so small, they’ll bring their motor home. I called Lettie right after I talked to them, and she said they could park it in the driveway and hook up to the electricity in the garage. They want to take us out to dinner so they can meet you on Saturday evening. If you’re not comfortable with that, or if you think I’m rushing things…” He hesitated.

“I’ve got a better idea,” Cricket said. “Bring them out to the farm when they get into town and have gotten things hooked up. We’ll grill some pork chops and cook supper at home. We can visit more that way. Tommy and Anna Grace will be there, too, so we’ll have a perfect group—three guys and three ladies.”

“Like I’ve said before, you are amazing,” he said. “Will you go to church with us on Sunday morning? They’ll have to leave right afterwards. Maybe we could take another picnic to the creek after we say our goodbyes?”

“I’d love to,” Cricket said, “on all of it.”

Bryce caged her by putting a hand on the door on each side of her, and then he leaned down and kissed her good night. Just like all the other times, he could have sworn the earth moved under his feet.

Cricket rolled up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck for the second kiss. “This has been the most awesome week of my life. I’m still not sure if it’s real or if I’m dreaming.”

“If you’re dreaming, then I am, too, and I don’t want to wake up.” Bryce kissed her one more time, and then whistled all the way to his SUV.

Cricket waved at him until she couldn’t see his taillights any longer and then went into the house to find Anna Grace cuddled up beside Tommy on the sofa.

“You look like you’re in love,” Anna Grace teased.

“So do you,” Cricket shot back.

“Guilty as charged, and happy to boot,” Anna Grace said. “Mama called this evening just before I closed up shop and begged me to come home. She said that Daddy would give Tommy a job in the oil company, and I could have my big wedding. She’d already contacted a planner.”

“And?” Cricket stopped in her tracks.

“I told her no,” Anna Grace said. “Tommy likes what he does, and I’ve decided I don’t want a big wedding. I do need three more months to learn more about being independent, though, before we have a small ceremony on the beach on Padre Island. I told her that she and Daddy could come to the wedding, but none of the Belles are invited. Not one of my friends has tried to get in touch with me since I moved out of Mama and Daddy’s house.”

Cricket slumped down in a rocking chair. “As strong as you’ve gotten in just the past few days, you should be able to bench-press an Angus bull by the end of three months.”

Tommy chuckled. “That’s similar to what I told her, and she cooked supper all by herself. We had chicken enchiladas.”

Anna Grace blushed. “It was a simple recipe. I can read; therefore I can cook.”

“Yep,” Cricket said and remembered what Jennie Sue had said. “I should leave you alone more often. Hey, just a heads-up. Bryce’s folks are coming over on Saturday for dinner.”

“I’ll do what I can to help.” Anna Grace nodded.

“And I’ll take the guys fishing so you ladies can talk about us,” Tommy said.

“Thank you both.” Cricket pushed up out of the rocking chair. “I’m glad you’re staying all summer, Anna Grace.”

“Will you and Bryce come to Padre with us, and will you be my bridesmaid?” Anna Grace asked. “I’m only having one, and it will be really simple. We’ve decided on the first weekend in August.”

“I’d be honored,” Cricket said, “as long as the dress isn’t too frou-frou.”

“I can guarantee that,” Anna Grace assured her.

Cricket went to her room, and sent Bryce a text: Will you go with me to a wedding on Padre Island the first weekend in August?

The answer came right back: Yes!

She fell back on her bed and stared at the ceiling. If someone had told her a few months ago that her life would turn completely around in one short week and that Anna Grace Cramer would ask her to be her only bridesmaid, she would have thought they were drunk or insane.