had a boyfriend who danced with someone else,” Arizona said. “While we were on a date. He didn’t get why it was a problem to have a job interview on the dance floor with another woman.”
Montana sucked in a breath, the weight of every woman’s eye on her now.
“Sounds ridiculous, right?” Arizona said. “I made him work for that apology. I vote you make him work for it, Aurora. Just because he’s fifteen doesn’t mean he’s stupid.”
Montana giggled, because she couldn’t stop herself. Before she knew it, Arizona was laughing too, and everyone else had joined in, even her daughter.
“What’s so funny over here?” Duke Rhinehart asked, grinning at Arizona.
“Oh, nothing,” she said casually. “Did you find that leftover pecan pie? Bishop likes to hide it in the back of the fridge.” She got up and led Duke away before Montana could dissolve into laughter again.
“Make him work for it,” Oakley said. “You want to know why, Aurora?”
Montana wanted to know why herself.
“Why?” Aurora said.
“Because it teaches him how to treat you,” Oakley said. “Never let a man treat you casually. If he wants to be with you, it’ll just be you. Not you and his wife, or you for lunch and someone else for dinner.”
“Oakley,” Sammy said, shock in her voice. “You and his wife?”
“You make him work to earn a place at your side,” Oakley said, scooping only frosting off her lemon cake. “Because that place? It’s worth a million bucks, and you’re worth it.” She nodded like that was that, and Montana couldn’t disagree with her.
She met Aurora’s eye, and Aurora nodded. “So no waiting on the front steps.”
“Oh, no.” Sammy clucked her tongue and shook her head. “No waiting out front. He has to come in here and get you from the party. In front of everyone. He has to want it.”
“I wouldn’t squeal,” Montana said. “Just a suggestion.” She shrugged like she didn’t care if Aurora listened to her or not.
“Absolutely no squealing,” Oakley said.
“You wear a mask until he’s said he’s sorry at least three times,” Ida said. “Maybe four. Then you ask him what he’s going to do to make sure this doesn’t happen again, because your heart is precious, and it doesn’t deserve to get broken again.”
“Four apologies?” Brady asked.
“Sometimes five,” Ida said coolly.
“Only when you’re sure he’s desperate to be with you can you smile,” Etta said. “And make sure he asks before he kisses you. In fact, I usually initiate that make-up kiss. It’s soooo good.” She pointed her fork at Aurora. “Make sure that make-up kiss blows his mind. Then, next time he thinks it’s okay to say yes to another girl to be nice, he’ll have that to remember.”
“Okie-dokie,” Montana said. “I think we’ve gotten all the free advice we need.” She glanced at Etta and shook her head.
Etta only grinned. “What? I wish I could have a make-up kiss right now.”
“You could call Jericho,” Ida said casually, but Etta scoffed.
“Can you imagine?”
“Yeah, I can,” Ida said dryly. “That’s why I suggested it. You liked him, Etta. Just because he wore a black jacket with brown boots doesn’t make him lame. You broke up with him over nothing.”
“Hmm,” Etta said. “Maybe I did….”
“He’s here,” Aurora said, holding up her phone.
“He texted you to say he was here?” Oakley snatched the phone from Aurora’s hand. “You’re going to thank me for this.” She tapped while Aurora looked at her phone in horror. “There.” Oakley grinned and passed the phone back to Aurora.
“Read it,” Sammy said.
“She said, ‘Great, you can come ring the doorbell and ask for me like a Texas gentleman.’” Aurora looked up, her eyes wide. “I’m going to die.”
Montana looked toward the wide, arched walkway that led into the foyer. Everyone else did too, Aurora included.
“He’s not going to do that,” Aurora said. “What if—?”
The doorbell rang, and Oakley pumped her fist into the air. “Now, you stay here. Let one of the cowboys get it. In fact.” She twisted, and called, “Cactus. Can you get that and give whoever it is a hard time for interrupting our party?”
“Oh, Dear Lord,” Montana said at the same time as Etta and Sammy.
“Sure thing,” Cactus said, leaving the kitchen.
“Mom,” Aurora whimpered.
“Put your mask on,” Ida said.
“No squealing,” Sammy reminded her.
“Four times,” Etta said.
“Make him work for it,” Oakley said.
“You’re worth it,” Montana added last, and then Cactus was back, a very terrified Oliver holding his cowboy hat in his hands like a shield as he faced the entire Glover