Mom's voice drifts back, lighter now. Conversational.
"Nothing new here, really. Kevin’s back with his shiny new accounting degree." A pause. "I know, right? Jeremy and his new bride, Alyssa, moved back east for Jeremy's job. Other than that, life is as usual."
Why did she tell Tyler about Kevin? I don’t know how, but Tyler has managed to hover even from overseas. Now that he knows Kevin was back, he’ll be hovering even more than usual. This’ll be fun.
Kevin Bennett has been a thorn in my side since high school; I thought his attention was flattering instead of... persistent. Then I’d learned the truth: I would have been just another notch. I was relieved when he left for college. Hoped he'd found someone else to fixate on. Apparently not.
Mom’s tone stays easy. "Your dad’s okay. Stubborn. Falon's been a saint, running back and forth between here and the Anderson place. I can’t imagine what we'd do without her."
I swallow the lump in my throat, staring at the pantry shelves.She states it like I’ve been doing them a favor. I’ve been taking care of the ranch since Tyler left, but now that dad’s hurt, it’s like I’ve done something new.
"Alright, honey. You take care of yourself. Call when you can. Love you."
She ends the call and stands with her phone still in her hand.
I step into the hallway. "Tyler, okay?"
Mom smiles, briefly. "He's fine. Just checking in. He misses home."
I nod, then hesitate. "Did he... say anything about Bo?"
Mom's eyebrows lift slightly. "Bo Gates?" She gives me a cat-ate-the-canary grin.
"Yeah." I try to sound casual. "We haven't heard from him since Anthony's funeral. He looked a little rough around the edges."
Mom's expression gentles. "Tyler didn't mention him. Why? You thinking about reaching out?"
"No. I just—" I shrug. "I don't know. It's been a while, that's all."
I hate the silence that follows. The way it feels like Mom is reading between every line I’m not saying.
"Well," she says finally, "if you do hear from him, let me know. It’s been a while."
I nod, shoving the thought away.
Mom hands me the list, her warm, motherly smile still tinged with knowing that I still hold a flame for him. "You don't have to get everything today. Just... whatever's easy."
"I'll get it all." I fold the paper and tuck it into my pocket. "Anything else?"
She hesitates, then shakes her head. "No. Just... be careful, okay?"
I frown. "It's the feed store, Mom. Not a war zone."
"I know." But her eyes hold something softer. Something that looks like worry wrapped in love.
"I'll be back later," I say, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Tell Dad to stop being ridiculous."
"I'll add it to the list."
I am halfway to the truck when my phone buzzes. A text from Daisy, one of my two closest friends.
Coffee later? I have GOSSIP.
I smile and type back:Define gossip.
It comes with scandal potential.
You're ridiculous. Yes. After errands.
