West of Forever (Heartstone Ranch #1)(17)

“I won’t.”

The two of us work in the kitchen which holds so many memories from my childhood. Momma teaching me to bake sourdough, feeding the starter every morning, and then having terrible bread when I didn’t follow her directions. The cabinet that hangs a little crooked because Ryan thought he could fix it for her and…didn’t, but she won’t let anyone touch it because it’s perfect the way it is.

Not a thing has changed in this kitchen, contrary to Daddy telling her he’d do some upgrades. She loves her oak cabinets, brownish linoleum floor, and Formica countertops. To her, they’re home, and it’s not the things that make a home—it’s the people in it.

We get her famous roast beef, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, and sweet rolls out onto the table. My mother believes that feeding this family a strong, hearty meal is necessary to keep us going.

Ryan and Deacon think it’s a way to keep them both living on the ranch with them, not that either wants to move since there’s no real reason to. I stay because my parents are getting old, and while Deacon and I stay in the main house, he’s really not helpful. I help with the cooking and the cleaning.

Momma goes to ring the dinner bell. Yes, we still have a damn bell, but before she can pull the cord back, the two bottomless pits known as my brothers come running in, like dogs who smelled the food bin open.

“You two are really a mess,” I say as my mother laughs softly.

“Are my boys hungry?” she asks, pushing her cheek out to them so they can give her a kiss on it.

Deacon nods and then does just that. “Always.”

Ryan goes to her other side, kissing her other cheek. “When you cook, we know we’re eating good. It’s only when you let Lark in the kitchen that it gets dicey.”

I stick my tongue out. “Shut up.”

However, they’re not lying. I’m really not good at domestic stuff. My heart is in the horses, though I try.

“Make me, Tornado.”

“Momma,” I say, turning to her. “Ryan is being mean, and Deacon told me I’m stupid.”

My mother gasps. “Boys.”

I grin, knowing she’s about to lay in on them. It doesn’t matter that we’re all in our thirties. She’s in charge, and she doesn’t put up with them being rude.

Deacon lifts his hands. “I didn’t say a word!”

“You were thinking it,” I say, crossing my arms.

“Now I am.”

Momma claps her hands. “Enough, you three. Go wash your hands before you sit down at my table.”

The two of them walk off to the bathroom, and then she nudges her head toward me.

“I already did.”

“Do it again, Lark Elaine.”

Now I’m in trouble. I wait for my brothers to come out before attempting to enter. The last time the three of us were in that room trying to wash our hands at the same time, I had to change my pants because they splashed me so much it looked like I peed them.

I swear, it doesn’t matter how old any of us are. When we’re together, we’re ten.

So basically all the time.

Ryan doesn’t live in the main house anymore. He built a small cabin that is rustic in every sense of the word on the back edge of the property, but his culinary expertise is Pop-Tarts and cereal, so he’s basically here all the time.

There’s another cabin that Carter owns, but since he’s stationed in Florida, it’s vacant. He offered to let Deacon live there while he was gone, but Deacon stays where there’s a steady source of food and comfort. Which means Deacon will never leave.

When they both exit, dry by some miracle, I go in.

This house is literally a time capsule. It’s clean, well maintained, but dated by every measure of the word. The bathroom is very—green. The toilet, tub, and sink are a minty color that matches absolutely nothing, but my mother says it reminds her of a peridot, and she loves it.

When I get back to the table, everyone is seated. We take each other’s hands, and my father prays. Then, before the n in Amen is finished, Ryan and Deacon are grabbing handles to serve themselves.

I swear, these two act like they’ve never been fed before.

Daddy shakes his head but waits until they’re done and grabs for his. “I heard from Carter today.”

Momma smiles. “He called the house phone too.”

We’re one of those families that still have a landline. It’s adorable. The only calls that come through are telemarketers and my brother. Momma’s cell phone is off unless she’s leaving the house.

“He sounds good,” Daddy says.

“Did he say when he’d be coming for a visit?” Momma asks. “He didn’t mention it when we talked.”

I roll my eyes with my head ducked so no one will see. We all know that Carter has no damn intention of coming home. He hates this town, hates this land, hates the idea of being here, but won’t ever break Momma’s heart, so he lies to her about coming for a visit “soon.”

Daddy shakes his head. “No, didn’t mention it. I’ll remember to ask the next time he calls.”

Daddy doesn’t ask because he knows the answer and doesn’t want to have to tell her.

Looks like I’m going to have to lay into Carter myself.

My mother takes a bite of her food, and then we each tell her about our day. I leave out the fact that I broke up with Jeremy. I don’t feel like hearing any opinions on that right now.