Mama
Lex! I didn’t know you were coming home!
Lexi’s mother hugs her and ushers her into the house.
Lexi
I wanted to surprise you.
Mama
This is wonderful. Come in. Are you hungry?
Lexi
I’m actually going to Rhett’s later for dinner, but…
Lexi
I had to come tell you my news!
Mama
Ooh, must be exciting. You’re beaming.
Lexi holds up her left hand and wiggles her fingers.
Lexi
Mama? Aren’t you excited?
Mama
I’m surprised. I had no idea you were serious with someone.
Lexi
His name is Scott Walker. We work together and he’s very nice.
Lexi
Well…yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?
Mama
It’s just…this is the first I’ve heard of him.
Lexi
We’ve only dated a short time, but we both have the same career drive.
Lexi
Of course. Why else would I be wearing his ring?
Mama
When do I get to meet him?
Lexi
I’m not sure. This is all so fast and new.
Mama
He didn’t come with you?
Lexi
Just one of the things we have in common. We’re both determined to succeed.
Mama
That city life has turned you.
Mama
You used to love riding horses and campfires.
Lexi
That was a long time ago, Mama. I was a teenager.
Mama
Things like that don’t just leave you.
Lexi
When we lost the house and the horses, I guess I lost my interest.
Mama’s eyes well with tears and guilt consumes Lexi.
Lexi
Sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.
Mama
Don’t apologize. It’s life.
Mama
So, you’ve talked to Rhett?
Mama
And he knows you’re in town?
Lexi
I just came from his house. Is something going on?
Mama purses her lips and glances away.
Mama
Come in and get settled. Do you have a bag in the car?
Mama
You should talk to Rhett.
Mama
You didn’t tell him about the engagement, did you?
Lexi twists the ring around her finger.
Lexi
I couldn’t help myself. I know I should’ve come here first, but—
Mama
No worries. You and Rhett have always been so close.
Rhett was everything to her when she’d lived here.
Now that she’s seeing him again, each memory and emotion assaults her entire being—
But she can’t focus on that now. She’s engaged to someone else.
Lexi
Are you two keeping something from me?
Mama
He does have some news.
Lexi
He said he had a surprise. You know what it is?
Mama
Yes. He actually wanted my permission about it.
Lexi gasps and claps her hands together.
Mama
That didn’t work when you were a little girl. It won’t work now.
Mama
You and Rhett should spend time together while you’re here.
Lexi
But I’m only in town a few days — I need to get back.
Mama
Just promise me you’ll listen to what Rhett has to say.
Lexi
Of course I will. Why wouldn’t I?
Lexi waits, but her mother lets the words fade.
She has a feeling this secret is going to be huge.
Lexi
Wait. You’re not sick or anything, are you?
Mama
No, darling. I’m perfectly fine.
Lexi
And Rhett? He’s okay?
Mama
I imagine he’s nervous and anxious, but he’s healthy.
Lexi
Look, I only like surprises when I’m the one giving them.
Mama
It’s going to be fine, dear. Nothing you and Rhett can’t sort out, right?
Lexi
Of course, he just seemed eager to talk.
As she says the words, Lexi remembers another time Rhett wanted to talk—
The night of her graduation.
He texted her, but she’d been with some girls from her class.
She can still see his text messages in her mind.
Rhett
Not over text. This is too important.
Rhett
I…I don’t want you to move.
Lexi remembers staring at the statement, watching his next text come in.
Rhett
I know it’s selfish, but just hear me out…
Rhett
Before you make a final decision.
Lexi
Okay. Let’s talk in the morning, okay?
But when she went to the barn the next day, Rhett blew it all off.
He claimed he was just being sentimental and said she should go live her dream.
Had he asked her to stay…
No, she definitely would have — but he’d never made a move.
And she didn’t want to risk their friendship by being the first.
Lexi pushes the memory from her mind and focuses on her mother.
Mama
This Scott you’re engaged to, will I ever meet him?
Lexi
Yes — yes, of course. Just as soon as our schedules clear.
Mama
You and your fiancé can’t even make time to visit home together?
Lexi
We will. Our lives are complicated.
Mama
If you can’t make time for your family, how will a marriage work?
Lexi
We’ll figure it out.
Lexi stares down to her ring, still imagining that emerald.
Lexi forces a smile and looks to her mother.
Lexi
Fine. Just daydreaming.
Mama
Want to talk about it?
Lexi
I’d rather talk about what’s new with you.
Mama shrugs and says nothing.
Lexi
Will you tell me what is going on?
Mama
Just go back to Rhett.
Mama
But before you do, let me ask you something.
Mama
What was his reaction when you told him you were engaged?
Lexi thinks back to the text she’d sent from the airport…
And his silence on the other end.
Lexi
You know Rhett. He’s a man of few words.
Lexi
But he’s happy for me.
Lexi instantly recalls meeting Rhett the first time at Sunset Ranch.
But what was even more powerful was the instant comfort and trust.
They became fast friends.
And her father always adored him.
Lexi
I’m going to head back to his house.
Lexi doesn’t know why her mother is acting so weird.
Nor does she know why her mother hasn’t been more excited about the engagement.
But Lexi DOES know that she can't get to Rhett’s house fast enough—
She’ll get to the bottom of this surprise.
