Page 54 of Forever Enough
“Flowers?” Dad asked.
Avery blushed slightly. “I like flowers, and I was thinking of maybe having a booth at market days with arrangements and stuff.”
Mom gasped with excitement. “What? Avery, that’s wonderful! I mean, I know you love flowers and arranging them, but I wasn’t aware you were that serious about it when you asked about growing flowers on the farm.”
My sister gave a little shrug. “There’s this girl in France who has a little booth at the city market. It’s amazing. She does up arrangements for people right there on the spot.”
“I thought you wanted to work with Georgiana and Morgan at the boutique?” I asked.
“I do, and I can still do that, but fashion isn’t my only passion. I don’t know…maybe I thought that was going to be my future, and it might still be, but I’d like to play in the dirt for a while. And that dirt is in Montana, where my roots are.”
Mom reached for Avery’s hand. “I love the idea, and there’s plenty of space on the farm to pursue whatever it is that you want to do.”
“And the ranch,” Dad added. “If you need more room to plant, we can talk about a spot on the ranch as well. Maybe even build your own separate greenhouse just for flowers.”
“That’s a great idea, Dirk,” Mom agreed.
Avery’s eyes filled with tears. “That would be…that would be amazing, Dad. Thank you.”
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Like I told your brother, no matter the age, we’ll support you in any way. Now—I need to get out and check on things. Bradly, you asked Smitty to bring your horse to the farm barn, right?”
“Yeah, if that’s okay with you, Mom, I thought Mackenzie could ride your new mare. I wanted to take her horseback riding today. She’s an experienced rider, just never ridden in the snow, and I thought it would be nice. Maybe show her around the ranch a bit.”
“Of course, it’s fine. There are plenty of empty stalls for you to keep your horse there, as well, if you like. I don’t believe they use him much on the ranch for the cattle. He’d probably love being turned out on the farm with Barkley and the other horses. Just keep an eye on the weather, you know how storms can move in unexpectedly.”
“I will,” I said, getting up to clean out my mug. Turning back to look at everyone, I said, “I’m glad we got a chance to talk this morning.”
“Me too,” Avery said, standing. “A piece of advice, Bradly.”
“Put the mug in the dishwasher or Mom will start bitching?”
“Hey!” Mom said as she lightly punched me on the arm.
Avery laughed. “Oh, and warn Mackenzie about family game night.”
I rolled my eyes and sighed. “Let’s hope she doesn’t run for the hills.”
Mom turned and looked at my father, who was slipping on his coat and wearing a wide grin. He laughed and simply said, “I hope she likes potatoes.”
Avery and I exchanged a confused look.
“What does that even mean?” I asked.
Mom placed the last of the mugs in the dishwasher and said, “It’s best if you wait and find out tomorrow.”
When they both walked out of the kitchen, I looked at Avery, who grimaced. “I’m glad I’m not bringing a guy to meet the family tomorrow.”
Mackenzie sent me a text that she would be finished up around ten-thirty. I told her what to wear, and Avery had given me a pair of her winter riding gloves for Mackenzie to use. She’d be able to hold onto the reins better with them.
When I heard the door to her apartment open, I looked up and held my breath at the sight of her. I couldn’t stand, because Pickles was currently curled up in my lap as I sat on a bale of hay.
Mackenzie had on riding pants, riding boots, a warm jacket, and a knit hat that looked adorable on her. “Pickles, you are not on his lap,” she said, walking toward us.
I chuckled. “She is, and she seems to be very content.” I held out the gloves. “Avery told me to give you these. They’re gloves for riding in the winter.”
“Oh, good! I didn’t think my gloves would keep me warm enough.”
I gently encouraged Pickles to slide off me, and Mackenzie shook her head and laughed.