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Lydia’s brothers were standing near a paddock, speaking to one another. When they looked that serious, they were usually discussing work or their sisters.

Her first instinct was to storm over there and tell them they needed to get their noses out of everyone else’s business, but then she had to remind herself that as far as brothers were concerned, she did have a couple of the good ones. They might have overstepped, but she still loved them.

As she crossed the dirt path to where they stood, they glanced her way. Their faces didn’t move. And before she even had a chance to tell them what was on her mind, Jason beat her to it.

“I’m not sorry for giving Chet my opinion.”

She bristled, but once again, she didn’t get the chance to speak before he did.

“But I’m sorry that I made it out to be more than it was. I should’ve told Chet that ultimately it was his decision to make. That he’d have my blessing either way as long as he treated you right.”

Lydia gaped at him. There was no way Rylee had tipped them off. And she couldn’t remember when her brothers had last choked down their pride enough to admit where they were wrong. “Um⁠—”

“And I’m sorry I kept it from you,” Tate added.

Now she had to ask herself if she was dreaming. Before either of them could interrupt what she’d come here to say, she held up a hand. “I need you to know that what I do with my life is up to me. I get that you guys have had your own experiences in the relationship department. And I know you care about me. But I deserve to make my own decisions, even mistakes. It’s not up for debate.”

Jason arched a brow. “You’re saying you want to make mistakes.”

She shrugged. “I want to learn from my own experiences. I don’t need you guys breathing down my neck about anything. Because what if you’re wrong? You were clearly wrong about Chet and me. No one can convince me we’re not good together.”

Her brothers exchanged a look, one she was familiar with, and it still irritated her to no end. It was that strange twin telepathy. She wasn’t going to bother asking them what they were saying to each other with that look. Ultimately, it didn’t matter anyway.

With hands on her hips, she pinned them each with a stare of her own. “Do yourselves a favor and think about this when Wren starts dating again. She shouldn’t have to deal with any of this nonsense from the two of you. Because let’s face it, you guys can be intimidating as all get out.”

That had them grinning.

“Does this mean you forgive us?” Tate asked.

“You’re on probation.”

Tate snorted and Jason cracked a bigger smile.

“For what it’s worth, you shouldn’t keep pushing Chet away.” Jason’s comment surprised Lydia more than it should’ve. While he’d given his blessing, it had to be hard for him, his best friend and business partner dating his younger sister.

Even so, guilt swarmed her insides. She had been aloof lately. Could she expect him to keep waiting around?

No. It wouldn’t be fair to expect that at all. She bit her lower lip, hating the nerves that came with this new reality. She’d gotten angry and then left him out in the cold without any promises of when she’d speak to him again.

Now who was in the wrong?

“Yeah, I know.”

“Do you?” Tate asked. His question wasn’t rude or condescending. Honestly, it sounded more sincere than anything. “Because we’ve seen you with him. We can tell how happy he makes you. I can’t say that I’ve seen anyone who’s a more perfect match than he is.”

“Really?” Hope seeped into every note of it.

Jason nodded. “Same goes for him. I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a girl affect him like you.”

Her grin turned into a megawatt smile. “I guess I should go put him out of his misery, then, shouldn’t I?”

They both chuckled as she turned and ran toward her truck.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chet checked the time and groaned. He set his phone on the ledge beside the stall door. Looking at it again wouldn’t make Lydia call.

Chet threw more effort into cleaning out the stalls of the barn.