She nodded at him, hoping her eyes conveyed her forgiveness. It wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last time they’d have issues. But they were a family. And that meant they’d keep on forgiving and loving and sticking it out for the long haul.

Flynn nodded back. Then he glanced around among the groups now organizing into teams. He seemed to be searching for someone. But apparently not finding who he was looking for, his shoulders slumped, and he limped off to join the others.

She watched the buzz of activity a moment longer, joy swirling inside. “C’mon.” She slipped her arm into the crook of Judd’s. “Let’s go build us a barn.”

Ivy leaned against the new zigzag rail fence that jutted out from the completed barn. The sky overhead was lavender with the coming of night. A few lanterns had already been lit, chasing away the lengthening shadows. And the scent of roasted pig lingered in the air.

After a day of grueling work, they’d raised the frame, sided the building, and completed the roof. The interior was an empty shell, but the hard work was done. Ivy could only stare at it in utter amazement.

The structure rose two stories to a gabled roof, allowing for a loft. Doors on both ends would provide cross ventilation and keep moisture under control. A row of empty window squares on both sides of the ground floor would give plenty of natural light. She and Judd would likely put shutters on since they wouldn’t be able to afford any glass panes this year. And they’d have to paint the wood to protect it from the harsh winter elements.

Everyone had feasted not only on pig but roasted chicken, recently harvested corn and beans and squash, freshly baked rolls, honey-sweetened applesauce, and more.

Now the cowhand competition was underway. With the shorter autumn days, they could only get in three events. They’d started with the bronc riding and steer wrestling, and they were finishing up with the roping contest. She’d already gone, and so far none of the other fellas had beat her time. But not for lack of trying. Even Brody had given it a shot and hadn’t come close.

For her, the winning came as easy as a horsefly riding a mule’s ear. Even if she wanted to bust out a smile that would let everyone know just how happy she was about coming out on top for her first contest as herself, she’d kept her smile locked away. She might not be pretending to be Buster Bliss anymore, but that didn’t mean she had to get carried away.

As the final contestant stood from where he’d roped the steer, she waited for the time announcement. At the shout of seven seconds, she let her shoulders relax. She’d done it. Fair and square.