𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝐈𝐏.

When compared to her own sorry excuse of a mother, there was a reason she had yet to introduce them. One that went far beyond any worries or embarrassments she felt about the state of their marriage. Sure, Rhett had loved her and chosen her, even as the poor trailer park kid. But he had never been given the opportunity to cite the source of her trauma firsthand, and that was probably for the best.

"Oh, she's trying. Hasn't gotten very far, though," Summer confessed, knowing fully well that her reluctance and stubborn nature were the only things standing in Caroline's way. "I do. If you'd asked me back in high school, my answer might've been different. But it's been a long time. She clearly hasn't changed and there's nothing left for her here. At least not as far as I'm concerned."

As the man explained his dinner plans, a smile eased its way onto Summer's lips, her weight shifting from foot-to-foot before finally stepping forward to accept the condensation-covered can. "Fine. You've got yourself a deal. I didn't exactly feel like cooking tonight anyways." With a soft chuckle, the blonde popped the tab on her beer, cracking it open with ease before holding the rim to her lips. "Besides, it's been a while since I've let you spoil me. You sure you've got enough for two?"

he tracked her every word, much like he did whenever it was the fate of their marriage as the topic of discussion. unlike all those times, he didn't clock a sense of doubt in what she was saying. "have you told her that?" from what he knew of the woman, it wouldn't have mattered much if she had. he'd never say it aloud, but it was the kind of stubborn nature he'd known her to have too.

the knocking against his ribs quickened as he watched the curve on her mouth deepen and when she stepped forward, he wondered if his heart was going to beat straight out of his chest. "alright," he half exhaled in relief, half hummed in anticipation. it was as much of a white flag as he could get, but he'd take it, and he'd make the most of it.

rhett pulled his bottom lip between his teeth and nodded slowly. "been awhile since you let me," he countered smoothly, no bite to the quiet quip. he was to blame for that too, but he wasn't about to push when there was already so much distance between them already. "i've got plenty of food. what you gotta be worried about is the beer," he added, hoping to cut any tension left in the space of the kitchen they'd once shared without lingering questions clinging to them. "go on and settle in out back. i'll grab the food. the pit is already goin'. i'll be right behind you."

At the mention of baking, Noah practically lit up, "Okay, thank you!" he laughed. "I keep telling people baking is way harder than cooking. One little thing is off, and suddenly you've got hockey pucks instead of pancakes — because she's right, it is a science," He shook his head with an amused smile. "So now I feel validated. Tell Daniela that I like her already." The conversation drifting back to Jamie and Jack softened his expression without him even realizing it. "I think they're starting to like me... the blueberry pancakes definitely helped though." Maybe it wasn't the pancakes. Maybe it was just time. Showing up every morning, reading bedtime stories, helping with homework, and being there, "I just hope they always know they can count on me."

When Mav mentioned bringing the kids by the fire station, Noah's eyes widened. "Really?" A laugh escaped him almost immediately, "They'd absolutely lose it. Jack's gonna think that's the coolest thing he's ever done." Then another thought hit him. "You know..." He smiled, almost a little sheepishly. "When I was a kid, I wanted to be a firefighter." It made sense, looking back. Noah had always wanted to help people. "I'll check with Sara first, but..." He laughed. "I also think eight-year-old me deserves a chance to slide down a fire pole."

Rosie's, on the other hand, was a much easier subject. "Oh, the milkshakes?" Noah shook his head, "Life-changing." He didn't even have to think about it. "I've probably had enough of them in six months to keep that place in business." Then came Delilah. Noah couldn't help the smile that crept onto his face. "Yeah... her name's Delilah," He looked down at his plate for a second, almost laughing at himself. "She's really sweet. Pretty, too," He admitted it a little quieter than he'd intended, "And she's always sneaking the kids extra waffles." As if that somehow made it less obvious. "I don't know..." He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck, "Turns out I'm kind of a sucker for people who are nice to kids." Maybe that wasn't the whole reason, but it certainly didn't hurt. "I'll take suburban uncle," he decided with a grin. "Honestly... I kind of like the sound of it." His smile lingered for a moment before he looked back at Mav. "And thanks, man," It wasn't just dinner — it was the hikes, the conversations, having someone who made Sedona feel a little less unfamiliar, "I really mean it." And he genuinely did.

the fireman nodded along eagerly, because not enough people understood the science that was behind baking. "exactly. and you can't always follow a recipe. you have to really play with it, because everyone's oven is different and if the temp is too high, or not high enough, it messes with the whole thing. learned that the hard way. lots of times." mav nipped at the inside of his cheek. he liked her too, always had, and a part of him always would. "you should tell her yourself. she's the head chef down at the paloma. i know she'd like to her how right she is." she deserved it too. "plus, she might be able to offer you more tips to help win them over," he added, because if anyone was going to deliver culinary genius-level advice, it was her. there was admiration in the way that maverick eyed the other from across the table. not everyone would have stepped up the way noah had for his family and there was a lot of respect within it. "it's really cool what you're doing for them. i know they'll appreciate it when they're older."

he new what it was like to lose a parent. maybe it was a different kind of loss, but to a kid, loss was loss. "really. it'd be a good time. they could sit in for a family dinner too." it was the least he could offer his new friend and the children who needed everyone they could get in their corners. if he could offer a helping hand in that way, he would. mav huffed a small breath of amusement, his eyes going wider for a few beats. "oh yeah? i think i wanted to be an astronaut." he didn't remember a lot of his younger years after losing his mother and watching his father walk away, but he did remember glimpses of wants and being a kid that just wanted a normal life. "if she approves, i think i can make that happen." it was no longer in use, but they were always making exceptions.

in between bites, maverick groaned quietly in approval. "can you believe i went a whole fifteen years without trying them? i'm ashamed." ever since he'd had his first, he'd gone back for more, trying a new flavor each time for the sake of experiencing them all at least once. mav tracked the other's gaze and the curve on his mouth deepened. "delilah," he echoed, chin tipping upward. she was the blonde who was always kind and never seemed to judge him for his extra order of fries. "sounds like you might have a crush." he felt so juvenile suggesting such a thing, but he saw the way the other rubbed at his neck, how his eyes had fallen down to his plate. it was the kind of response he would've had if the roles were reversed. "nothing wrong with that. crazy idea, but... have you thought about asking to see her outside of the diner?" he watched the other closely, his gaze curious. "look, in all seriousness, you're doing a really good thing for those kids and for her too." the words of gratitude warmed him, but little did noah know, everything he did was because he needed a little bit too, and the other had never let him down. "let's just call it even, yeah?"

As she slipped into the passengers seat of her friend's BMW, Sage ducked her head, ensuring she was seated comfortably before fastening the seatbelt tight across her hips. Truthfully, while food hadn't been the first thing on the woman's mind, the mention of breakfast caused her stomach to rumble. It had been over 12 hours since her last meal and yesterday's alcohol consumption certainly hadn't helped the pounding in her head. "You know... Food might be a good idea. That is, if you're not afraid to be seen with me. Please tell me I don't look like I crawled off of a street somewhere."

Far too afraid to pull down the sun visor and take a look in the mirror, Sage instead turned to face Ozan, black eyeliner smudged around the corners of her eyes and a few dark strands springing free from the braid she'd pulled her hair into the previous morning. "I feel like I'm back in university, doing a walk of shame the morning after a bender."

ozan tapped the push button start and the engine quietly purred in response. he turned toward her slightly, his gaze falling down the length of her in the passenger seat before climbing back up to settle on her gaze. "i think i'll recover," he teased lightly, the ease of which the words left his tongue taking him by surprise. he wasn't the comforting type, wasn't the person that offered warmth. "there's a sweater in the back if you want to wear that instead," he added with a nod toward the backseat.

one hand gripped the wheel, the tapped lazily against the top of his thigh. "did you have a lot of those mornings?" his grin deepened and he stole a look over at her for a beat before his focus shifted back to the road. "i have to ask, but feel free to decline if you aren't ready to speak about it," he started, giving her a moment to shut him down before he continued on, "what happened last night?"

Nodding, Ziyad pursed his lips for a second as he thought, flagging down a bartender when he had finally decided. "Can I get two moscow mules, please? But can you add pineapple to both? Thanks." It was something he had discovered through his sister, who had hated the flavour of a normal mule and had added the only sweet drink in his fridge. "I'm not the most adventurous with drinks, but this one is actually pretty good."

Nodding, Ziyad smiled at the story she told. It felt familiar in a way, in that Ziyad had never stopped either. He'd allowed time for fun during college, but the majority of his time had been spent honing his skills and working to be at the top of his class. "What was your specialty program? If you don't mind me asking?" Nodding, Ziyad chuckled softly. "Yeah, it's kind of hard to be shy and successful when you have to pitch yourself and tell everyone why you're so amazing and why they should give you the contract." Shrugging a little, Ziyad gave his card to the bartender as their drinks were place in front of them. "College helped the shyness and I don't think I ever really stopped being the nerdy guy, it's just easier to turn it on now, I guess." Reaching for his glass, he held it in the air to clink to hers. "Thank you again, this is a much better way to spend an evening than I was looking at before."

she watched with a curious pull on her features as he called over the bartender with the confidence of a man who knew exactly what he wanted. it was endearing, even if what he ordered only furthered her curiosity. "that's an interesting touch." she liked a good moscow mule and one couldn't miss with pineapple, but together? it was first, but clearly her adventurous streak wasn't ending. "now it's my turn to trust you on this thing. curious though... how'd you figure out that combo?"

opening up wasn't something that she did often. not with the people that knew her best, and certainly not with strangers. yet, she'd spilled pieces of her life with ease and when he countered with his own dose of curiosity, she was eager to meet him halfway. "not at all," she assured with a warm smile, "veterinary medicine." mallory pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and nodded, following his every word. she couldn't really imagine herself doing so, but somehow, it was easy to picture him confidently pitching himself to potential clients. "for what it's worth... it seems like something you've gotten good at, no?" maybe she was jumping to conclusions, but he wore confidence well and had the kind of smile that could pull anyone in and make them feel like he'd take care of them. she'd been the one to rescue him and yet, sitting across from him now, it felt like he was the one looking after her.

"nothing wrong with that, by the way." mal plucked her glass from the table, eyeing it with an intrigued look before her gaze lifted to meet with his. "i should be thanking you too. for the conversation, for the drink," she hummed, tipping her glass to clink against hers. "to making that shortlist on the first try."

life wasn't always black and white, and sometimes, she just wanted him to remember just that. he was still going through whatever he needed to go through, and only time could heal. it didn't mean it would all go away, delilah was still dealing with her own stuff, but it wasn't the end.. and that just mattered. "see? i'm right. again." she emphasized the last word, just to tease him of course. maybe it was one of those days for him, she thought. and if rhett wanted just company to talk, she didn't mind givng him just that.

it was tough, trusting others with something your family built with blood and sweat. everyone thought it was easy, that since her grandmother did all the hard work of establishing the diner, a name for the place meant that they didn't have to do their part now. "you're also there. just saying." del reminded him, with a smile. "right? you'd be surprised what some people go for. it's more about the principle, really. We have enough things to worry about, running out of cleaning supplies shouldn't be one of them." she responded, reaching out to twirl the bracelet around her wrist. grocery prices, was another thing she didn't want to think about, that was enough to give her a headache. his words made her smile again, this time wider. she missed him. missed this side of his.

missed the way she felt around him. she knew what was going to follow, but right now, she didn't want to think about anything else. instead, delilah wanted to just embrace the moment. "you all have to take it a day at a time." she said softly, resting slightly against the counter, "and family is supposed to be there for each other. it's not about what you do more, or less, i'm sure your sister knows that." exhaling deeply, she looked down at her bottle for a moment, fingersprints tracing over the label. "i know. they won't live us alone either. last time, grandma had to chase them out with a broomstick. it was epic. then her blood pressure hit the roof, so not so epic, but yeah, i get it." brigning the beer close to her lips, delilah had a sip, and finally sighed. they were never going to leave them alone, would they?

she liked making him smile, laugh even. it felt like a small victory, especially after a long day. so what if he disappeared again? at least he was smiling. and so did she, this time pushing herself slightly off the counter, just to close some of the distance between them, but staying away enough to not give anyone walking by the wrong impression. "yeah?" delilah muttered, smiling brightly. "you can't even see them from there, you liar." she teased, glancing at him for a moment too long, before she finally nodded her head. "yeah, we're planning to put out an ad soon. fingers crossed we get someone good." and trustworthy. "yeah? that's good. i'm sure there's a lot that needs fixing, the ranch is huge." she added, "but take it easy, okay?"

rhett heaved a quiet chuckle of bitter amusement and nodded, the smile he wore not quite reaching his eyes this time around. sure, he was there, but there was only so much he could do before the physical burden of tasks were too much. the self-deprecating joke stayed on his tongue, heavy and insistent, but he didn't let it slip. instead, he chose to lean into the lighter part of the conversation. "i know it's not much, but if i can ever help out around here... you can ask." maybe he wouldn't make a good waiter, but he'd make a good something, or he'd at least try. "i can guard the cleaning supplies," he offered, his smile stretching a little bit wider as he looked her way again. all he wanted was to see her beaming back at him.

george was understanding beyond measure. not once had she made him feel less than after his accident, and now once had she blamed him for all the extra commitment she picked up in his absence. truth was, all that acceptance was hard to swallow. anger and blame would've been easier to grasp. "she does. my folks do too." he trailed his tongue over his bottom lip, his teeth following and sinking into the skin. if it wasn't his fueling his temper, then it was the goddamn developers who couldn't take a hint or no for a solid answer. "jesus," he exhaled, the single word weighted in amusement. "if anything will keep 'em away for a little, might be her." they both knew it only be a matter of time before another arrogant developer made a play, but rhett had full confidence in the diner and the family that clung to it. "besides, look at what they pulled with the chapel," he tsked, head shaking, "they're outta their league in this town."

the retired bull rider stole another long pull from the beer, his gaze finding her over the length of the bottle. a flutter of warmth circled low his belly when she moved closer, but the distance that remained still felt like too much. "says who?" his eyes dipped to take in her sun-kissed features. maybe the diner's lighting wasn't the best, but he knew her well enough to paint the image within his mind. "i can see if that younger sister of mine has any extra time on her hands." as he spoke, his gaze slowly dragged back up to meet hers. it was the least he could offer, even if he knew his little sister wasn't going to rise to the occasion if she didn't want to. "i am." his smile softened, because even after all the time they'd spent together, her care always took him by surprise. mostly because he knew he didn't deserve it, partly because it made him feel like maybe he wanted to earn it. "you gonna help me eat these fries or what?" he reached for the bag and tore it open with as much grace as a cowboy like him had. "'cause if you've changed your mind, i've got no problem eatin' this whole thing on my own."

his eyes went a little wider at the other's confession. it was what ozan already knew, but hearing manuel confirm aloud was comforting in a way that only the two of them could understand. of course there was a plan. this was what he'd been expecting and for all he knew, said plan was sitting somewhere untouched in his email. then again, hakan knew him well enough to know that he was checking it.

"i gave him everything," he growled, anger flooding his tone as he stared down the other end of the convesation. it was manuel's fault, but he was messenger, and everyone knew they always paid the price. "my entire life." he'd made peace with the fact that he'd never run the company, that he'd no longer have access to it's funds, but not once had ever considered being shut out from it all. "get out." the order was given quietly, a stark constrast from the way he'd raised his voice a few seconds earlier.

As Ozan spoke, Manuel could only stare, a silent apology scrawled across his features. If he had wielded enough power to change Hakan's mind, then he would have. But unfortunately the news had come as a loss to them both.

"I'm sorry, Ozan. I really am," the words came as a quiet surrender, the man bowing his head as he took a step back toward the doorway. While he could choose to argue or insist on staying, it was of no use. The damage had been done and the power was in his nephew's hands now.

He did notice. The change in her expression had been so small, though, that he thought he was imagining things. Elliott silently decided to be even more alert from now on. "Yeah, I bawled my eyes out. I think someone forgot to tell him he wasn't allowed to sing the sad ones at Pride." He chuckled. "I had fun too. Besides, of course, running into people I didn't expect. The usual." His nose wrinkled at the thought of the not-so-nice blasts from the past. "But still. More fun than I expected, but less than I probably could've. June hurt her ankle at one point, so we had to change a lot of plans, but we still enjoyed it." The waiter decided this was a good time to get to their table, so Elliott quickly made his order and waited on hers. He fould himself feeling impatient, wanting the conversation to just keep going.

she liked that he wasn't afraid to admit to such a thing. she'd shed a tear too, but that had more to do with the conversation at the front gates and all that had lingered with her long after it'd ended. "trust me, i get that more than you know. i hope you handled your unexpected run-in better than i did," she countered with an ease that didn't reflect on the sadness that her followed her after. "is she okay? i hope it wasn't anything too serious." she'd barely finished her words when the waiter dropped by. following suit, she rattled off her order and only turned her attention back toward elliott once the waiter had disappeared again. "so, when you aren't in dad mode or at the library... what does a guy like yourself like to do?"

At his assurance, there was a brief flicker of her gaze that landed on her brother. One that said she wasn't entirely convinced, but she said nothing about it. "Ah, let's see," she brought a finger to her lip, tapping it gently. "I think one of the water trough floats has been sticking out on the first pasture." She told Rhett, "A few boards need to be replaced before branding season," a beat paused before she spoke again. "But you know not all of it has to be done today."

he filed away the items in his head, neither seeming like much, but his spine thought otherwise. "well, i'd say the water trough is a good start." it was important, after all. he nodded, like he was silently reassuring himself that it was a task he could handle. "i'll work on the gate and then go out and fix the trough. think you'll be around for a little while?" he dared to meet her gaze, the brim of his hat sharing his deep blues from the sun's cruel rays.

Rafael offered her a tired smile as he stepped inside. His keys were still looped around one finger. If there were anyone he'd answer the phone for in the middle of the night, it was Mallory. Regardless that their marriage had ended, he'd always be there for. Rafael moved to the kitchen where she said Moose was. "Hey bud," he held out the back of his head for a beat, "Did you hear him yelp outside at all?" Rafael questioned, trying to put the pieces together.

"i didn't. i stood by the door and waited for him." it was ironic how she could treat everyone else's pet in stressful situations, but when it came to moose? she felt like she'd never touched an exam room in her life. "i checked his paws, but maybe i missed something?" she nipped at the inside of her cheek and mulled over every possibility, her gaze bouncing between moose and the man she still found comfort in after four years of separation. "if we need to load him up and take him in to the clinic, we can," she offered, volunteering him to join her because she already knew that he would.

mav's smile widened as he stepped into the newly opened up space made for him. "i can do that," he assured, taking a beat to grab the container of breadcrumbs before he stepped back into place. as directed, he mixed the three together and pulled in a long breath of the buttery mix of herbs and crumbs. "you know me," he shrugged, meaning that he didn't know how to turn off his need to help and be there for the people that needed him most. "i did a few check-ins with some of the calls we've had lately. just wanted to make sure there were no more issues. what about yours?"

ozan nodded as a means of showing that he'd heard her. he could imagine that life got busy in her world and a small part of him envied her for it. "doesn't necessarily seem like a bad thing to me. it never hurts to have options." he'd had her food on more than one occasion and not once had he thought of a single complaint. he doubted anyone else had either. "do you have any solid ideas yet?" he watched her and when she asked about his work, he chuckled and shook his head like he was letting the weight of him slide off his shoulders before he answered. "i wouldn't know. i'm still on a indefinite hiatus." his smile widened. if he couldn't make a joke of it, the reality of his situation would eat him alive. "i've experienced boredom for the first time in maybe my whole life. i can't say that i like it very much."

It was hard not to get lost looking at her. Mallory had Maeve's eyes, Maeve's mouth, the same tilt to her chin when she was bracing for something. This isn't her, Jordan reminded herself, again. The resemblance made it harder to hold true to her feelings. But she owed Maeve this conversation, owed her someone standing up for her now that she couldn't do it herself.

“I believe you,” she admitted. And that realization made her feelings about it all feel even heavier. “I believe you loved her. I believe you’re sorry.” She uncrossed her arms for just a second, only to cross them the other way, as if she just needed something to do with her pent up energy. As much as she did believe Mallory, intention didn’t cancel out impact and that’s what she wanted to get across. “That’s not really what I’m stuck on, though.”

Her eyes flitted to the line again, checking how much time they’d actually have. “What I’m stuck on is that you’re saying all of this to me. Now.” The words came out slower, placing emphasis on the last two words because that was the crux of everything. Mallory could apologize to Sage and Jordan all she wanted, but the person who needed the apology most, who’d born the brunt of what she thought was Mallory’s rejection, was no longer around to accept or deny this.

She chewed the inside of her cheek before continuing. "You talked to Sage. That's something, I guess." She could acknowledge that at least. "But Mal, Maeve needed to hear this from you for so long." Her eyes glistened with tears she refused to shed, knowing how much this conversation would have meant to Maeve. And it killed her that she wouldn’t ever get to have it. She shook her head, trying to blink the tears back to where they came from. “And I can’t help but wonder if it got a lot easier to say all this once she wasn’t around to accept or deny your apology, herself.” 

her stomach turned over on itself as she clocked the other's studying eyes on her. it was the same way she looked at herself in the mirror at times. it was a battle of all those big emotions every time she saw a little bit of maeve within herself. she wasn't maeve. she'd never be maeve.

relief should have followed the woman's words, but the tight feeling in her chest didn't ease with the reassurance delivered. mallory pulled in a long breath when the other shoe dropped. there was always going to a but. she waited with a patience that came from years of practice. it was the same thing that sage had questioned her about and both were right for doing so. four years was a long time to wait, but she'd had her reasons, even if they were good ones.

"if i'm being honest, i wasn't sure what to say. i'm still not sure i'm even getting everything out there the way i really want to." there was so much, and yet, she felt like she was screwing it all up. she nodded at the mention of sage and pulled in another steadying breath. that conversation had gone smoother than she'd expected, but it was another thing for her to feel guilty about, because sage hadn't deserved her silence and neither had jordan.

mal lifted a hand and dabbed her palm at her eyes, willing her tears away. "i know that now. i was selfish for not giving her that." she couldn't turn back time, but she could own her mistakes and ensure that she never made them again toward anyone else in her life. "nothing about this is easy. it isn't about acceptance or denial. nothing will bring her back and that..." she trailed off, head shaking slowly, "that's something that i'll carry with me for the rest of my life."