My Country Home

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 2

As Wyatt's brother showed up to the ranch much to his dismay, Amelia stood by his side.

"I thought you said that your brother doesn't come around much anymore."

"You and me both, which I'm wondering what he's doing here." Wyatt mused.

"Luke, my boy!" Clint greeted, smiling.

Clint hugged his older son as a young girl got out of the car with her attention on her phone.

"Who's that?" Amelia wondered.

"Luke's daughter, Theresa Torres-Birchwood." Wyatt replied.

"Say hi to your grandfather, Resa." Luke ventured.

"Hi Grandpa, Uncle Wyatt, and person I've never seen before." Theresa greeted, less enthusiastically.

Luke narrowed his eyes at Amelia.

"Who's this?" He asked.

"Hi, I'm Amelia and Wyatt rescued me when my car broke down." Amelia told him.

Theresa looked up from her phone, flittering her eyes back and forth between Amelia and Wyatt.

"Really? Interesting..." She said.

"Enough of this chit-chat! Luke, how'd the business trip go and any luck with the investors?" Clint enunciated.

"I wouldn't count your luck on that." Wyatt divulged.

"It was more of a fact-finding mission this time around but I've got a few more leads than before." Luke responded.

"Right. Well, let's get you two settled in." Clint intoned.

Wyatt carried Theresa's suitcase inside the house and gave Luke a pointed look as Amelia followed behind.

"Hey Theresa, you're texting your friends?" She contended.

"Trying to, but the service out here is terrible and the worst part of spending the autumn season with my dad." Theresa claimed.

"Yeah, I can understand that." Amelia stated.

"This place is the total opposite of Los Angeles but no matter what I say, my mom makes me travel out here every year."

She held out her phone to take a selfie as Amelia smiled while Theresa made an exaggeratedly sorrowful face.

"What hashtag are you going to use for that one? 'Worst season ever'? 'Place of loneliness'?" Amelia beseeched.

"Actually, I was gonna say 'send help', but that one's good too." Theresa conceded.

Theresa smiled shyly at Amelia before heading inside as everyone got ready for dinner while Amelia looked down at her outfit, eyeing the deep creases that have formed during the day.

"Amelia, you gonna freshen up?" Wyatt beckoned.

She ran her hand over her hair as she tried to flatten the frizz a bit.

"I would but my suitcase is still in the car." She answered.

"I'm sure we've got some clothes inside that'd fit you and make you feel more comfortable so help yourself." Wyatt assured.

"Thanks."

Inside, Wyatt pointed towards a trunk of surprisingly fashionable clothes before giving Amelia privacy to change. After changing, she admired herself in the mirror.

"I should dress country all the time." She exclaimed.

Amelia walked downstairs as she entered the dining room where Clint, Luke and Theresa were already seated around the table and sat down as Wyatt entered with a covered cast-iron dutch oven.