Joel Jr. sat on the arm railing of the front porch watching his mom, Emma, rush around the yard fussing over all the table decorations for the party. With her hair in large curls and pinned over her shoulder, she looked pretty when she dressed up, Joel had to admit.

 

Still, a sweet sixteen party for a boy? Joel thought it was ridiculous. He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, exasperated. Just two more years until he could put his foot down when his mom wanted to fuss. Eighteen couldn’t come soon enough.

 

The sun dipped behind the distant mountains, the air crisp—just the way Joel liked it. He bent one knee close to his chest, letting the other leg dangle and tap against the porch boards. Tugging at the tie that felt like it was strangling him, he barely noticed his dad, Logan, waltz onto the porch and slap his hand away.

 

“Don’t even think about it, kid. There’s no way your mother’s going to let you take that tie off even if it’s your birthday.”

 

Joel frowned at his father and stood up, proud that at sixteen he already matched his dad in height. He wasn’t as filled out yet—football weight training would take care of that soon enough. Black hair from his mom, blue eyes from his dad. No one could deny they were father and son.

 

“Dad, I have work to get done. Why did she have to throw a party? Couldn’t we just go to Lucy’s Diner or something?”

 

“Get over it, kid. You’re the oldest and the first boy in the family. Everyone is going to fuss.”

 

Grandpa Miller walked out in a suit. “Looking sharp, Gramps,” Joel said, walking over to have a look at him. “I’ve never seen you look so…clean.” His grandpa chuckled, then clasped both muscles on the opposite side of his neck. “You too, kid.”

 

Joel smiled widely.

 

Grandpa Miller released him when a soft cough drew his attention. He bent from the waist and opened the front door. Joel’s sister, Addie, sashayed from the house and spun in a circle. She wore a short gold dress with black lace over it. Her hair was done up the same as their mom’s.

 

Joel’s eyes bulged. Wow. His little sister looked stunning—no one would guess she was only fourteen. She could have easily passed for eighteen.

 

“She can’t wear that!” Joel cried.

 

“Why not? She looks lovely,” his dad said, kissing Addie on her cheek.

 

“Yeah, sure! You say that now. You just wait until Bow or Tucker show up for the party. Then you’ll be sorry.”

 

Addie slugged Joel in the shoulder, hard. “Traitor.”

 

Logan shoved his hands in his pants pockets and scowled at Addie. “Bow and Tucker are Joel’s friends. They’re almost seventeen. They better not be floating around you, Addie.”

 

She smiled sheepishly at her dad. “Oh, look, Mom needs help. I’d better go.” She sprinted off the porch. Grandpa laughed as she went.

 

“We just had to try for a girl,” Logan said. “Now look, the pretty little thing is going to make me have to shoot not just one boy, but two. Let me go get my gun now so I can scare them when they arrive.”

 

“Dad, a gun isn’t going to scare Bow or Tucker.”

 

Logan pinched his chin for a minute. “Right. Let me go get the tractor.”

 

“Logan, she’s a good girl, and she has a nice right look. The boys won’t be a problem,” said Grandpa Miller. “Now, how about you give this strapping young man his birthday gift before everyone shows up.”

 

His dad draped an arm over his shoulders and directed him around the side of the house. Grandpa walked beside them.

 

When they rounded the corner, there was “Big Red,” his dad’s 1956 Ford truck, looking shiny with a new paint job. His cousin Olivia stood in the back, along with her brothers Eric and Shane.

 

“Surprise!” they all cried joyously at him.

 

Joel’s jaw dropped. “What?”

 

His dad dropped the keys to Big Red into his hand. “He’s all yours.”

 

“I can’t believe it!” Joel shouted. “Woohoo!” As he turned to hug his dad, he caught sight of his mom, his aunts Bethany and Daisy, and his uncles Cole and Peter, all beaming at him. The twins, Tiffany and Julie, hugged Aunt Daisy. The whole family was there. A wave of love and excitement hit Joel, gratitude swelling in his chest. Tears threatened, but he blinked them away. He was a man now—only laughter tonight.

 

“Who wants to take Big Red for a spin before the guests show up?”

 

Addie dashed over and leaped into the bed of the truck. “I do! Come on, everybody—we’ll all fit if we drop the tailgate!” she cheered.

 

To Joel’s surprise, Mom, Aunt Daisy, and Aunt Bethany squeezed into the cab while the rest of the family piled into the back. Joel slid behind the wheel, slammed the door, and fired up Big Red. The engine purred—a tune-up must’ve come with the new paint job.

 

Joel eased the truck down the road, laughter and conversation bubbling around him. He felt lighter than air, as if nothing could bring him down.

 

“So, what do you think of your gift?” Mom asked, sitting close beside him. Her amber eyes glowed, making Joel’s heart skip. He always loved it when her eyes sparkled like that—it was her love shining just for him.

 

“It’s incredible, Mom. You didn’t have to get me a truck.”

 

She smiled. “We know. But you’re such a good kid—how could we not?” Her face softened, suddenly serious. “Don’t think you’ll be running off all the time with your friends, though.”

 

Joel grinned. “I won’t. Between sports and the ranch, I barely have time.”

 

She squeezed his arm. “Good. I’d be lost if I didn’t see you every day. I don’t know what I’ll do when you go off to college.” Her voice caught, and she dabbed at her eyes.

 

Aunt Bethany leaned forward to give Joel’s mom a comforting hug, then flashed Joel a conspiratorial wink. “Emma, if you get too lonely, you can come boss my kids around.”

 

Joel laughed. “Ha, ha.”

 

At the end of the dirt road, Joel turned Big Red around and headed home. As he pulled into the driveway, he checked the rearview mirror—Dad, Peter, and Cole were perched on the tailgate. Unable to resist, Joel tapped the gas. All three tumbled into the dirt.

 

The women streamed from the cab to check on them while Joel laughed so hard he could barely breathe. He scrambled out, but before he could escape, Uncle Cole caught him in a bear hug.

“I got him, boys! Time to teach this youngster a lesson.”

 

Cole carried Joel into the yard and sat on him while everyone gathered around. Joel knew he was doomed, but he couldn’t stop laughing. The sight of everyone’s faces—full of love and mischief—was something he’d never forget.

 

“Let the tickling commence!” Cole declared.

 

Joel’s whole body was under siege. He tried to kick, but Peter pinned his feet while Dad grabbed his arms.

 

“Not fair!” Joel gasped between fits of giggles.

 

“Fair? Since when does that matter?” Uncle Peter teased.

 

Joel laughed until his sides hurt. When the tickle attack finally ended, he lay in the grass, gazing up at the stars, breathless and happy.

 

I love my family.