“What can I do to help you?”I whispered.
Grabbing my hand, she linked our fingers together.“You’re already doing it.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon brushing the cows.My love for animals had started when our moms had decided we needed to learn what responsibility looked like.We’d lived in Tennessee on a smaller farm more often than in California back then.It began with just a single mini Highlander, a goat, and a few chickens.Love Bug and I would take care of them ourselves when we were home, but staff was always there to make sure the animals got all the extra care they needed.
Around that time, she and I decided we were going to be vegetarians.Meals became war zones for our parents.Anyone who dared to eat meat in front of us became enemy number one.
Eventually, Love missed the taste of hamburgers and diverted from the vegetarian lifestyle.I remained steady, and while I hadn’t eaten a piece of meat since I was five, I accepted that no one should have to change their entire diet just to please me.
“So you and the sheriff are finally official,” Love commented as we walked back to the barn later that afternoon, Waffles between us.
I couldn’t stop the smile that thinking about Finn caused.“Officially official.Dad knows now.It doesn’t get more official than that, in my opinion.”
“About fucking time.”
“How does Uncle Luca not know you curse like a sailor?”
“Because I’m his perfect little princess,” she said with a smirk, then dramatically clutched her hands to her stomach.“Ugh.I’m starving.And my period is about to start.I need fries.And chocolate cake.Lots of both.”
“Fine.Just let me get Waffles comfortable first.”
“He’s not coming with us?”She pouted.
My stomach knotted just thinking about him wandering alone through town.I was serious about his having no more adventures.Not without me there to protect him.Not when Hilary could do something to hurt him so easily.
“He’s still recovering.”
She scratched behind his ears as we continued walking.“Don’t worry, buddy.That bad lady is going to get a visit from karma soon enough, and you’ll be back to living all the fun baby donkey adventures.”
I found Leo and bribed him with dinner from Aggie’s if he made sure Waffles stayed out of trouble.And by out of trouble, I meant staying on the farm.
“You’re gonna buy me a burger?”he asked skeptically.
“Yes,” I said with a sad nod.
He cocked a brow.“One for Cody as well?”
“And dessert for both of you.”I sweetened the deal.“Just keep my boy busy.Don’t let him out of your sight until I get back.”
“Obviously, I’m getting the better end of the bargain.Hanging out with a donkey and getting takeout for my guy and me.Best Monday I’ve had in a while.”
I tossed my keys to the UTV to Love so she could drive as we passed the Jeep.No one had told me how it ended up back in my driveway.It was just there when I came outside that morning, looking unsuspectingly innocent after having been part of a crime twenty-four hours before.
“Give me all the details about your brush with the law yesterday,” Love Bug commanded as she hit reverse.“Bonus points if you can supply videos to go with it.I want to see Hilary’s face when she was arrested.”
Living in a small town was a hundred times better than living in a big city.Cleaner air, nicer roads, better neighbors, and all the gossip.Usually relayed by a gruff old man who might look grumpy but was actually the sweetest, goofiest soul on the planet.
Love Bug and I sat ourselves at the counter when we got to Aggie’s.It was almost dinnertime, and the place filled up quickly.From the moment we stepped through the door, all eyes shifted to us, and then we were greeted like family.
Two Diet Cokes were placed in front of us before we’d even fully sat down.While Love ordered her fries and cake—“Please make sure they come out together.I need these carbs or I’m gonna commit a felony!”—I was pulled into a conversation with the high school band director, who wanted help with an upcoming fundraiser.
“Are you sure it’s not too much trouble to have it on the soccer field?”Peter asked for the second time, his cheeks slightly pink.
“It’s not any trouble at all.I’ll let my director know.What are you thinking?Maybe three performances from the band that evening.And I’ll bring the babies in that morning.Let’s do ten to two.That way, they get enough attention but don’t get grumpy from being overfed and tired.Plus, they won’t do well once the band starts playing.I’ll supply the feed that can be purchased by the cup, with all funds going to your band.”I wrote myself notes in my phone as I talked, ready to send them to the recreation center director to have so I wouldn’t forget.“Whatever foods you want to sell are acceptable as long as you have the correct permits, and since your band parents are the ones who run the concessions at football and basketball games, I know they do.”
“Thanks again, Grier,” he said, shaking my hand.His cheeks got even pinker.“Um, so by any chance, would you?—”
“Sheriff!”one of the old men seated at the counter beside us called out, causing Peter to jump back from me at least a foot.“Come on over here, boy.Your future wife is just confirming the details for the upcoming band fundraiser.”
