Fourteen
Annabeth
Ifloat into my room, my belly and heart fuller than I can possibly imagine after last night and this morning. Dallas drove us back to his property and we stopped to feed the horses together before heading inside for breakfast.
He was right, he can’t cook for shit. After four incredibly unsuccessful attempts to make toast, I decided to take over. Half an hour later, we were snuggled together at his breakfast bar eating farm-fresh scrambled eggs with grain-fed sausages and a tomato-onion mix I whipped up.It was glorious.
After breakfast, we took a stroll across the paddock and Dallas showed me the tire swing he’d built for Billie and the second chicken coop she’d insisted they get. He laughed to himself as he told me about the day she’d convinced Colt to build it and how they’d taken a drive into town the following day to pick out the hens that Billie affectionately referred to as ‘The Dixie Chicks.’ I didn’t have the heart to tell him they were just ‘The Chicks’now.
Colt had arrived home as we were walking back to the house, and we decided that instead of explaining ourselves, we’d just hide in the barn until the coast was clear. All I’ll say on the matter is that Colt took his sweet-ass time, and the horses may have gotten a lot more than theybargained for this morning.
I chuckle to myself as I remember how Dallas had spun me around the barn, humming one of my favourite songs as we danced together. I can still feel his calloused palms caressing my cheek and gliding across my hips. I picture the creases in his eyes as he smiled at me, before tilting his hat back and leaning in for a kiss.
My phone buzzes violently from where it sits on my dresser, and I jump out of my skin before I answer on the fourth ring.
“Hey, Hannah.”
“Well howdy, stranger. You comin’ to karaoke tonight?”
“God, I forgot about that.”
“Better get blondie and polish up your boots then, hey, sweet cheeks?”
Her Southern accent always gets stronger when she’s excited. Hannah is the definition of a girls’ girl. Despite being a notorious gossip, which I suppose comes with the territory of owning the best diner in the area, she’s got a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody.
“Alright, count us in.”
“Good, we’ll see ya tonight. Love ya.”
“Love you too.”
She hangs up almost immediately, and I can hear her yelling at who I can only assume is Link as the line goes dead.
Well, I guess I better make myself look presentable.
River and Hannah are up on the make-shift stage that’s always laid out for karaoke night, I swear those two are like two unhinged peas in a pod. They stomp their boots together in perfect time to the song they’re belting, ‘Austin’by Dasha, as always.
Hannah had made River learn the viral TikTok dance not long after she first moved to Fires Creek, and the two of them recount the story to anyone who will listen the moment they take a sip of bourbon. I chuckle to myself as I watch them, knowing that in less than five minutes they’ll put on the fucking ‘Nutbush’ and Ella will drag my sorry ass to the dance floor to participate. My little daydream is abruptly interrupted as Link slides into the booth beside me, a devilish grin on his face.
“Dear god, Link, what now?” I question him.
Link made sure Ella got a good deal on the bar, he had become a bit of a regular at what was once affectionately referred to as ‘ladies’ night.’ In fact,allof the partners came now, it had quickly become a free-for-all celebration when River started dragging her husbands along every month.
Everyone from Wattle Ridge to Hawks Hollow is connected in one way or another. It’s part of why I love it here so much. Everyone shows up to the bonfires, business launches, graduations, rodeos, you name it. You could throw a rock and hit five cousins, a couple of spouses and a few tag-alongs – like me.
“I’m finally gonna do it,” he announces, his grin taking over his entire face.
My brows crease, and I look at him like he’s lost his mind. To be honest, since dating Hannah, he probably has. That girl is as wild and effervescent as they come. “What in the ever-loving fuck are you talking about, Link?”
“I’m gonna ask Hannah to marry me.”
I squeal, and the sound seems to carry, because all of a sudden the music fades and the entire diner is staring at us like we just invaded a peace treaty.
“What are you lovebirds gossiping about?” Hannah calls from the stage.
Link looks like he’s seen a ghost, and the gulp that emits from his mouth is something otherworldly.Shit, nice going, Annabeth.
Hannah sashays across the room, plonking herself onto Link’s lap and smirking at me. “Share with the class,” she teases.
