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Buzz, buzz.
I check my cell. It’s Poppy.
“Hey, Pops.”
“Don’t you hey me, King Montgomery! What’s going on? And how come you didn’t mention this twenty minutes ago at Coastal Coffee?” She’s talking so fast it takes me a minute to process the words.
“Like I said, everything’s okay. But there’s something we need to talk about. As a family.”
“Oh my gosh, are you sick? Are you dying?”
I sigh. My sister’s so freaking dramatic.
“No, Poppy. I’m not sick or dying. And neither is Rome or Parker. Or Liv or Skye. And our cousin, Smitty, is fine too. It’s just—something came in the mail, and I need you to see it.”
“Oh—like treasure?”
“Poppy. This isn’t some damn pirate movie. There’s no treasure. See you Friday.” I disconnect before she asks me any more questions. So, naturally, she takes to text.
Little Sis: I really want to know what’s going on. Right now
Rome: See you Friday
Coward. He doesn’t even attempt to field Poppy’s question.
King: Bring pizza
Parker: Did somebody say pizza? Count me in
Naturally, Parker gets involved at the mention of food, the subject of the meeting the least of his concerns.
Parker: Should I bring Liv? I think she has an event
Rome: I’m bringing Skye
Little Sis: Griffin’s playing baseball ?
Parker: Is his team any good this year?
Little Sis: I’m sure. Griffin’s on it
Parker: You’re biased, sis
Little Sis: Yep, I am
As fun as it is standing on the steps of the courthouse, texting my family, I have shit to do.
King: Friday, 7 pm. See y’all then
Parker: Cool
Rome: Got it
Little Sis: Fine. But I wish you’d just tell me now
I leave her hanging and head back to my truck. I’ve already been gone longer than I planned due to the gas-station-coffee explosion, and I hate leaving Beau alone. He’s been my ranch hand for a few years now, but he’s a lot less experienced and doesn’t know the ins and outs like I do.
One more quick stop, and then I’ll be on my way back to the ranch. I fire up the truck and head north toward the grocery. Traffic’s definitely picked up on A1A, people out and about doing their weekday tasks. A Jeep carrying a surfboard cuts me off, sliding straight into my safe-driving distance without so much as a blinker, and I lay on my horn.
