by Liz Isaacson
They all had Wyatt Walker in them, and she knew then that she needed to get him back.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Micah sat at the counter in the homestead, the lights brightening the night. With Wyatt on tour, and Jeremiah and Whitney new parents, Micah often had the homestead to himself after nine p.m.
And he cherished those times, because he had a glimpse of what his life could be if he moved out of the homestead. He’d never wanted to do that before, but he’d just broken up with Simone, after another four months where she didn’t want anyone to know they were seeing each other.
And frankly, he’d had enough. He didn’t understand why she didn’t want her sisters to know—both of them were married to Walkers!
The only thing Micah could come up with, but Simone would not admit to, was that she was embarrassed to be with him. And he didn’t need that in his life, thank you very much.
He’d spent a couple of years with a woman who wanted him to be more than he already was, do more, make more money. Stephanie had really only warmed to him once he’d inherited his money from his father, and Micah had immediately started distancing himself from her then.
It had taken a while, because he’d loved Stephanie, and if she hadn’t been so concerned with his status in Temple, he’d probably have married her long before the inheritance.
His phone chimed, but it only added to his surliness. Thanksgiving was next week, and he couldn’t wait for Wyatt to return. He needed someone to talk to face-to-face, as Wyatt was busy, Skyler had basically disappeared, and Micah’s older brothers now had wives and families occupying their time.
They’d come to his rescue should he need them. He knew that. They loved him; he loved them.
But he needed someone to hash things out with that was distracted by a wailing baby, a pregnant mare, or texts from his wife. Micah didn’t blame Jeremiah or Liam for those things. Life changed. Things shifted. He knew that. Being the youngest, he’d seen it over and over throughout his life.
Just when he’d arrive at a station, Rhett, Jeremiah, and the twins would leave it. He understood it, but he sure did miss Wyatt keenly in moments like this.
The text bore his mother’s label, and Micah swiped it open to read it. Dinner at three next Thursday. Food assignments are as follows:
Micah scanned the list, knowing his mother could easily make everything on the list. She simply liked it when everyone had something to bring. The wives asked anyway, and they wanted to be useful. Micah was perfectly happy to eat whatever was there.
He’d been assigned to bring a pumpkin pie, which he could buy from the bakery. No problem.
His eyes caught on Simone’s name, and he wanted to take the phone outside and throw it as far as he could. He couldn’t get away from the woman, as he’d run into her just that morning as she unloaded her newest acquisition into her shop. He’d been helping Callie with building out a balcony on her and Liam’s bedroom.
He’d seen her yesterday at lunch, which Jeremiah had served at the homestead. And in a cruel act of God—Micah was sure—he’d seen Simone at the grocery store. He’d only stopped as a favor to Jeremiah and had literally never been to Wilde & Organic before.
And there was Simone, picking out sweet potatoes while he needed Russets.
He’d ducked back around the end of the aisle and pretended to be completely absorbed in the gourmet coffees until he could be sure Simone wouldn’t be in the produce section anymore.
Now he’d have to spend Thanksgiving with Simone. And she’d probably be at the homestead after church in a couple of days too.
Thoughts of leaving Seven Sons and Three Rivers entered his mind, as they’d done before. Just as quickly, he pushed them away. He was done running. He’d left Temple over a woman, and he wasn’t going to let another female drive him out from where he wanted to be.
Confirmed, he sent back to his mother, the first one to respond. He usually was, just another reminder that his life had been reduced to odd carpentry jobs around two ranches, and he missed his shop in Temple fiercely.
He folded his arms on the counter and laid his head on them, his cowboy hat pushed to the side. “What should I do?” he asked. “Lord, I could start a shop here. Should I? And what about Simone? Is she embarrassed of me? What do I need to do differently?”
In that moment, he realized that he hadn’t given up on Simone. And that only made him angrier.
“Is that the answer?” he asked, his words angry as they filled the cavernous kitchen. “Really?”
He didn’t want to pray anymore, not if the answer was going to be, Change yourself so Simone isn’t embarrassed of you.
He wasn’t sure why she would be. He showered, he kept his hair trimmed and neat. He worked out. He had an employable skill which he didn’t need to use, because he literally had billions of dollars in the bank. He took care of his responsibilities around the ranch, and he loved his family, the nieces and nephews, all of them.
What wasn’t to like?
He got up and went down the hall to his bedroom, ready to stop thinking for the day. But Simone would not go as easily, just like he couldn’t seem to physically remove her from his life either.
He finally fell asleep sometime close to midnight, after another bout of prayer, begging the Lord to please let his mind rest for just a moment.
The following day, Micah left the ranch in the morning and headed to the bakery in downtown Three Rivers. It was the last weekend before Thanksgiving, and the two grocery stores in town looked incredibly busy. Cars filled the lot, and Micah was glad he didn’t have to go there.
He drove past the downtown park, which had holiday banners stretching from tree to tree. At night, all the tree trunks had been wrapped in brightly colored lights to create a festive atmosphere.
White and blue snowflakes stuck out from every lamppost along Main Street, and Micah actually smiled at them. The brothers had a tradition at Seven Sons to get all the decorations up the weekend after Thanksgiving, and Micah was looking forward to it.
The street became more and more crowded, and soldiers got added to the snowflakes on the streetlights.
He had to park a couple of blocks from the bakery, and he realized what he’d thought would be a quick trip to get a pumpkin pie was easily going to take him an hour. Thinking quickly, he pulled out his phone and called the bakery as he walked toward it.
“Bakery on Main,” a woman chirped.
“Yes,” he said. “I’d like to order a pumpkin pie for pick up. Two. Two pumpkin pies.” He had a lot of people to satisfy with the dessert, and though it wasn’t the only one that would be at dinner, it was the most traditional.
“We can have those ready in thirty minutes,” the girl said. “Can I get your name?”
He gave it to her, along with his phone number, and he detoured toward a bagel shop. It too was busy, but he only had to stand in line for ten minutes before ordering a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel.
He enjoyed his breakfast, continued down the street, bypassed the line, and picked up his pumpkin pies from the to-go line. Feeling proud of himself for avoiding the holiday chaos, he grinned at the girl there and turned to go.
A brunette stood there, and for a moment, Micah thought it was Simone. He almost dropped the pair of pies he’d just paid for.
But it wasn’t Simone.
“Oh,” the woman said. “I’m sorry.” She giggled and reached out to steady the boxed pastries that bobbled in Micah’s hands. She looked at them and then back to Micah. “Pumpkin pie. That’s what I’m getting too.”
“I can barely stand the stuff,” Micah said, smiling at her. She had dark eyes like Simone, and she might be a little too young for Micah, who had moved into his thirties a few years ago. “But my mother gave me an assignment, and I’d rather not show up at all than show up without the pie.”
She laughed and said, “You must have a mother like mine.”
“I’m Micah Walker.”
“Of course you are,” she said.
He had no idea what that meant, and the chatter and noise in the shop was overwhelming for him, who spent most of his time in the quiet of the country.
“Excuse me,” she said, stepping around him as the line in behind him inched forward.
“I can’t get your name?” he asked.
“Kayla Wharf.” She stepped up to the counter, and Micah couldn’t seem to look away from her.
“You’re Wyatt’s brother, right?” a man said, and Micah looked at the cowboy in the line next to the to-go counter.
“That’s right.”
“I’m Bennett, and I work with him out at Three Rivers Ranch.” He grinned and extended his hand for Micah to shake.
Juggling the pies, Micah managed to get the job done.
Bennett leaned toward Micah. “And you don’t want to get involved with Kayla,” he almost whispered. “She’s still got a boyfriend, and I’m pretty sure her last name is Walters, not Wharf.”
Micah looked back at the brunette still at the counter, foolishness flowing through him. “Thanks for the heads-up,” he said.
“Anytime,” he said. “Tell Wyatt I said hello.”
“I will,” Micah said, and he got out of the bakery before he could make a bigger idiot of himself.
Thanksgiving arrived, because Micah couldn’t slow down time. He showed up with his pumpkin pies and Jeremiah and Whitney, immediately being overshadowed by the baby as Momma reached for Jonah.
Rhett and Evelyn had already arrived too, and Micah put his pies on the counter where the desserts went.
Tripp and Ivory arrived next, and Momma now had two babies in her arms. She could still direct people to do what she wanted, and she didn’t give up the baby boys until Callie and Liam arrived with their family—and Simone.
Momma was finally forced to admit she had to work in the kitchen, though Jeremiah and Gramma Lucy were there too. Jeremiah laughed with their grandmother, and Micah wished he’d liked to cook. Gramma had tried to teach everyone, but Jeremiah was really the only one who’d been truly interested. It helped that Momma and Daddy had lived with them when Jeremiah was thirteen—the perfect age to be able to learn to cook.
Micah had been five years old at the time, and there wasn’t much a five-year-old could do in the kitchen. So he stayed out of the way now, watching those around him.
Wyatt finally entered, but Marcy wasn’t with him. Micah alone knew why, and he instantly moved over to his brother’s side. “Hey.” He gave him a healthy pat on the back as he hugged him. “I’ve missed you so much around the homestead.”
“I’ve missed everyone,” Wyatt said, and just like that, a sort of cheer went up from the rest of the family. Everyone loved Wyatt, and Micah moved out of the way so Rhett could say hello, then Liam, Tripp, and Jeremiah.
“Where’s Sky?” Wyatt asked.
“Not here yet,” Micah said, sticking close to his brother and lowering his voice. “Anything with Marcy?”
“Seeing her tomorrow,” Wyatt said without looking at Micah.
“I hope it works out,” Micah said.
“I do too,” Wyatt said. He finally looked at Micah, and he saw the despair mixed with hope there. “And Simone?”
“She arrived with Callie,” Micah said, his throat closing.
“And the two of you?”
“Nothing to tell,” Micah said, still respecting Simone’s wishes to keep their relationship a secret. He didn’t normally do that, especially with Wyatt or Skyler, but his humiliation was strong enough to keep the secret for now.
The door opened at the same time someone knocked on it, and Skyler came in. “Hey,” he said, a wide smile on his face.
Relief filled Micah, at least until he saw the gorgeous woman enter behind Skyler. He looked from Skyler to her, his interest shooting toward the sky.
“This is Mal,” he said.
“Oh, the one you run with,” Wyatt said, his eyebrows up under his hat band.
“Yeah,” Skyler said, glancing at the dark-haired woman. She had big, brown eyes and full lips. Flawless skin, and she definitely looked like she ran a lot. Skyler hadn’t been serious about anyone in a while, but he tucked Mal against his side as if they were together.
Were they together?
Micah wanted to ask, but Momma had caught sight of the last son to arrive, and things exploded from there. Skyler introduced Mal around, never using the word girlfriend. He never said anything but, “This is Mal. Mal. This is Mal.”
Mal was charming and sociable, and she fit in just fine with the other women there.
“I feel like a black sheep,” Wyatt muttered.
“I don’t have anyone here either,” Micah said.
“Yeah, right,” Wyatt said as Simone turned and looked right at Micah.
He froze as if he’d been caught by a police helicopter, and all the chaos of his family fell away.
And he knew then that he didn’t want anyone else’s name or number. He wanted Simone Foster, and his heart wailed, wondering why she didn’t want him too.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Momma loved watching Jeremiah work with her mother-in-law in the kitchen. The two had enjoyed a special relationship for three decades now, and they put out some delicious food, if Momma did say so herself.
And she did.
“All right,” she said loudly, above the din of her seven sons, their wives, babies, and children. She’d shaken the hand of Mal, the woman Skyler had brought with him from Amarillo, just tickled that he’d come.
He hadn’t committed to the meal until the week before, and he hadn’t mentioned bringing someone.
“We’re ready. Gideon.”
Her husband stepped to her side, and a flash of love for him filled her. He’s always been right beside her, and she beside him. They’d been together now for almost fifty years, and pure gratitude for the life they’d built together flowed over her.
No, things had not always been easy. They’d lost homes, businesses, and friends. They’d lived with his parents for a year. And they’d had amazingly good times too, with the birth of seven healthy children, a business that had finally taken off, and their years on the beach she loved so much.
“We’re thrilled to be here with you this year,” he said. “We love Three Rivers, and we’re grateful for each of you, your relationships with each other, and that you love and forgive us.” He swiped at his eyes, the gruff cowboy getting soft in his old age. “I’ll say a prayer, and then Momma and Gramma have instructions for us.” He looked at her, but she nodded to Jeremiah.
“Jeremiah does,” Daddy said, and he reached up to remove his hat. The other boys did too, and he gave a beautiful prayer for family, friends, and any who needed help.
“Amen,” she said when he finished.
Jeremiah gave instructions for the food, and Momma edged over to Ivory, who held five-month-old Isaac on her hip. “I’ll take him,” she said, because she wanted life to be as easy as possible for her sons and their wives.
Ivory smiled at her and passed over the baby before moving to pick up her plate and start to help her son get turkey and mashed potatoes.
Momma watched Micah, who wore a general air of unhappiness about him. Her heart ached for him, as he’d always felt slightly left out of the family. With the boys spread out over twelve years, they naturally formed friendships with those closest to their ages. But Skyler had almost removed himself from the family, and she watched him next.
He leaned close to Mal, and the woman smiled in such a way that said she’d definitely kissed Skyler. So there was something going on there, whether Skyler had used the labels and terms or not.
Bless him, God, she prayed. He needs the extra help, and I love him so much.
She usually tread carefully when it came to Skyler, choosing selectively what she sent to him. She only wanted him to feel love from her, never judgement or disappointment, as he’d always put those things on himself without any help from her.
But she felt him moving fart
her and farther away, and she couldn’t help but want to pull him back to her. Hug him close and make sure he knew how much she loved him. How much God loved him.
She watched Daddy give Skyler a tight hug, and she swallowed and pushed back tears. He loved the boys as much as she did, and they often prayed over their sons for quite a long time each evening.
A loud laugh drew her attention, and she looked at Wyatt. Wyatt, who’d shown up to Thanksgiving dinner without his wife.
Of course, Momma knew where Marcy was, but she hadn’t stopped hoping and praying Marcy would come to dinner anyway.
“Bless them all,” she prayed while pressing her lips to baby Isaac’s head. “And help Wyatt work things out with Marcy.”
She’d texted him on his birthday that she and Marcy had been having lunch together, and Wyatt had called instantly. He hadn’t been upset, but rather…resigned. At least that was what Momma thought. Her most charismatic son seemed a bit dull without the woman he loved, and she desperately wanted him to be able to work things out with her.
She knew they were seeing each other tomorrow, and she didn’t need to say anything to either of them. She’d learned over the years of parenting adult children that sometimes she just needed to stay out of their business.
Micah, Wyatt, and Skyler stuck close to one another, and she wondered if anyone else noticed. She certainly did, and her heart ached for the three of them. She’d done the best she’d known how with the boys, and she loved all of them. She was proud of all of them.
“Momma,” Wyatt said, noticing her standing there. “Give me the baby and come eat.” He effortlessly took Isaac from her, but instead of her going to get something to eat, she latched onto him and hugged him tight.
“I love you, son.”
“I know, Momma.” He clutched her too, his muscles much bigger than hers. His personality much brighter. Of all the boys, he reminded her of Gideon the most. He was willing to take the biggest risks. He was the one who put himself out there for the world to love.
