Page 27 of Rust and Bloom

Destiny is sitting at an outdoor table when Legion and I arrive at the burger place. She's got her back to the parking lot, so she doesn't see us right away. Colt is standing up holdin' baby Marigold, and Destiny's attention is focused on them.

I about die inside when I see that baby. I've seen pictures, but never properly saw her in person. So I'm awestruck when I finally lay my own eyes on that perfect little applejack.

She's wearing a little knitted sweater with a folksy design that surely came out of one of the Jackson boutiques because it looks handmade, and thick, and made of natural muted red fibers that practically scream organic wool.

Her blonde pigtails almost send me, and I haven't even seen her face yet.

"My God," I say. More to myself than to Legion.

"What?" he asks. The engine off, already openin' the door.

"That baby is perfect. Look at her. I can't stand it."

Legion laughs. "I think you have baby fever, Princess. I can help you out with that later, if ya'd like." Then he winks at me and gets out.

I follow. And I don't remember a time when I've been so thoroughly fuckin' happy and excited to see people as I am these three.

Colt sees us first, and he beams a smile at me. He looks good. Colt has always been a little bit skinny. It took him a really long time to grow into the build he has now. But it finally caught up.

He's wearing an untucked, long-sleeve, faded denim shirt with a white thermal underneath to hold off the chill. His jeans are faded too—not a wash worn by Montana Ashbys. But his boots are the same custom set he was wearing the last time I saw him.

Legion must clock all this too, because he offers his hand to Colt before greetin' Destiny. As they shake, he says, "Are you diggin' ditches these days, or what? You look like a man who works for a livin'."

I register the confusion on Colt's face, even though I doubt Legion does. He's not sure if that was a joke or not.

I don't intervene, I simply greet Destiny with the warmest smile ever. Eleanor would be proud. "Destiny," I say. Exclaimin' it, but in a soft voice. "You look amazing. Where did you get that dress? I love it."

I do, too. It looks like something I'd find in my own closet. She's wearing a long sleeveless layered dress in washed-out charcoal made of crinkled cotton gauze. The kind of fabric that looks like it's never met an iron and cost a fortune precisely because of it.

A longer black underskirt peeks out from the hem. Just a thin band of gray plaid trim edging the bottom like the dress got mended once by somebody who knew what they were doing.

The bodice has a tone-on-tone, black thread on charcoal hand stitching that is so subtle, you have to be standing close to even see the work.

Which is the whole point.

An oversized patch pocket sags low on her hip like she's got her phone in there. It's cut from a different gray than the rest, so it stands out as practical decoration.

Over the dress she's wearin' a cropped jacket in faded black cotton canvas. Soft as an old chore coat but cut like nothing any ranch supply ever sold.

The black cowboy boots and the low-crowned black felt hat sitting on her dark hair pull the whole thing together.

Eleanor would have her camera out so fast if she were here, Destiny's head would spin.

"Oh.” Destiny waves a hand at my question about her dress. "A woman on Etsy who lives in Romania made it for me. It just came in yesterday. I was lookin' for a reason to wear it, and this was the perfect excuse."

"It's truly stunnin'. I had no idea you could buy custom dresses on Etsy."

"Oh yeah," she says. "It's a whole thing. They'll make you anything." Then she lifts up her skirt and gives me a little twirl.

"Nailed it," I tell her.

Legion greets her next. And Destiny starts teasin' him about his hair. But not in a bad way.

While they catch up, I descend on Colt and Marigold. I point at him. "My favorite brother! You have no idea how much you've been missed."

"Same," he says, pulling me in for a hug. Marigold squirms between us for a moment, then I back off and just… take her in.

"My God, Colt. You and Destiny have made a goddess."