Heat hit my chest—pride, I realized. I’d do whatever it took to get this kid to college. “I think you’d make a hell of an architect.” Will had an eye for design and a head for numbers. Maybe it was because he’d played music for so long, but his mind just worked differently than most. He’d given me more than one suggestion on a project that I’d taken and run with.

“You think so?”

“I do. You’ve got an eye for it. And combine that with hard work, and no one can stop you.”

He nodded, staring at the window as we approached the farmhouse gate. I thought he was still thinking about his future but as I punched in the code, he said, “I feel like I need to warn you about something.”

I glanced his way. “What’s that?”

“I have a feeling you don’t like surprises, and there are going to be a whole bunch of people up there.”

The gate slowly opened, but I didn’t move my foot to the accelerator. “Why are there a whole bunch of people up there?”

Will winced. “I might’ve told Caelyn it was your birthday. I thought she’d just take you out to dinner, but she has a thing about birthdays. Really wants them to be properly celebrated. So, she kind of took that information and ran with it…”

I swallowed hard. “You guys—”

“Don’t be mad at her. It was my idea. I’m sorry if you hate it.”

I grabbed Will’s shoulder. “I was going to say that you guys didn’t have to do that. But it’s really thoughtful.” I smiled reassuringly. “And I am kind of partial to birthday cake.”

Will relaxed. “That’s good because I have a feeling that Caelyn made you a massive one. That’s what she’s been doing over at Bell’s all morning.”

I shook my head. I’d wondered why Caelyn and the girls had taken off so early this morning. She’d had a slightly guilty expression as she explained that they were having some girl time. “Your sister really isn’t the best liar.”

Will chuckled. “She’s the worst. She always blushes and looks at her feet.”

“Good to know her tells.” I started up towards the house.

“Park in front,” Will said. “I’m supposed to think of a reason to bring you around back.”

“I’ll make my best surprised face.”

“Let’s just hope you’re a better actor than Caelyn.”

I pulled to a stop and switched off the engine. “It wouldn’t be hard.”