Done and Dusted

Emmy’s growth as a character continues in these chapters as she begins to put her life back together. The problems of Done and Dusted have relatively low stakes, but keeping their involvement a secret from the Ryders is perhaps the most critical problem Emmy and Luke face in their shifting relationship. Though their feelings for one another run parallel throughout the novel, in these chapters, Emmy begins to question whether she is ready for a serious relationship with Luke because it is something that would significantly shift the Ryder family dynamic. However, as she grows closer to Luke, Emmy’s feelings about their relationship become more and more clear. Similarly, Emmy begins to figure out how she feels about Meadowlark. Her conversation with Amos in Chapter 20 is particularly significant, as it highlights Emmy’s deepest fears but also shows her what is most important in life. When Emmy asks her father if her mother “ever regret[ed] […] [s]taying here” (201), she underscores her own fear about remaining in Meadowlark for the person she is falling for and ruining her life in the process. As Amos speaks about his late wife and her similarities to Emmy, Emmy starts to see parallels between her parents’ love and her love for Luke, leading her to decide to stay in Meadowlark. Emmy also finally decides on the rodeo and her career—she will use the upcoming race to say goodbye in the town where she started.

Emmy is led to make these life-altering decisions by many factors, particularly her relationship with Luke and her changing feelings about the life she thought she wanted. However, Emmy is able to make these choices because she has finally found what she has been looking for since she left Denver: a place (and person) to call home. Throughout the novel, Emmy is concerned with Feeling at Home, but when she thinks about the idea of leaving the ranch, Meadowlark, and Luke, Emmy knows she has found it. As the novel progresses, Emmy begins to venture out into Meadowlark more frequently, rather than just staying confined to her temporary cabin. Visiting the town shows how Emmy is becoming more comfortable in Meadowlark and with the people around her, feeling secure in ways she has not since the accident. Sage frequently alludes to how comfortable Emmy feels around Luke and suggests that he is like her home now.

A minor theme that runs throughout Done and Dusted is the importance of friendship. This theme is seen from the beginning of the novel, such as when Teddy lets Emmy stay with her with no questions asked, and Luke agrees to help Gus with Riley. Small instances like this occur frequently, yet Emmy is often distracted by other things to recognize how important her friendships are. When Teddy offers to stay home with Emmy rather than go out for her birthday, Emmy notes, “I needed to be better about paying attention to her [needs]. She would gladly give up The Devil’s Boot and all of her birthday plans if she thought for even a second I didn’t want to go, but I did” (175). Emmy similarly feels guilt over not telling Teddy about her accident, but even so, this further highlights the importance of Teddy’s friendship during Emmy’s time of need. Much like the Ryders’ acceptance of Luke and their sensitivity toward Emmy’s return, Sage shows how friends, like family, can offer unconditional love when it is most needed.

Sage leans into the common romance trope of a small-town setting as Luke and Emmy try to keep their relationship a secret. During their heart-to-heart conversation, Amos tells Emmy, “Nothing goes on at Rebel Blue that I don’t know about” (197), suggesting he knows all about her relationship with Luke. Just as Amos knows everything that is happening at the ranch, most citizens of Meadowlark seem to know what is happening with every member of the town. This fact is emphasized in the earlier chapters when word quickly spreads that Emmy is back in town, but the nature of the small town also leads people like Wes and Teddy’s father to figure out what is going on before it is public knowledge. Toward the end of the novel, Emmy and Teddy joke about how Emmy and Luke’s relationship was essentially an open secret.