“Well, you’re up early,” Dad calls out.
I raise my eyebrows and give him a tight smile. “Morning.”
“Mornin’, Cole,” Nancy says cheerfully.
“Mornin’, Nancy.” I grab a plate and pile scrambled eggs and bacon onto it. “You sure are here early every single day. Y’all doin’ sleepovers now?”
“Dammit, Cole,” Dad snaps.
I hold up a hand, chewing. “Easy.” I glance between them. “I’m just teasin’.”
I wash the food down with sweet tea, even though what I really want is coffee.
“Coffee, Cole?” Nancy asks.
I nod, and she sets a mug down, pouring what might as well be hot lava into it.
“Why are you up so early?” Dad asks.
“I’m takin’ your tenant to town for groceries,” I say flatly.
“Well, that’s nice of you.”
I roll my eyes. “She was gonna get an Uber last night. Have some stranger drive her out here and bring her back after dark. Damn city girl. Too proud to ask to borrow a truck, so I told her she could ride with me when I went.”
Dad nods slowly. Then he smiles at Nancy. They share a look.
They’re snickering.
“What?” I grunt, taking a sip of my coffee.
“Oh, nothin’, son,” Dad says, way too innocent.
Before I can press him, there’s a knock at the door.
I glance at my watch. 6:55. Huh. She’s actually on time. I was half-expecting to have to go knock on her door and remind her this wasn’t Seattle.
I push my chair back and slide my plate into the sink, wiping my mouth as I head for the door. There’s another knock just as I open it.
“Oh hey!” she blurts. “You said to be here right at seven. I know I’m a little early, but I woke up and didn’t have anything to eat, so I got dressed and figured I’d walk over. Hope that’s okay—oh my goodness, it smells amazing in here! I didn’t interrupt breakfast, did I?”
Jesus. The girl can talk.
“Nah,” I start. “I just fin—”
“Come on in and grab a plate before y’all go,” Dad interrupts.
“Oh really?” Layla beams. “That’d be awesome. It smells incredible, John. Really.”
She brushes past me without a second thought, following Dad into the kitchen like she belongs there.
I shut the door and exhale through my nose. I do not want to spend this much time with this girl today.
The ranch isn’t going to run itself. Luke sleeps until noon, if I’m lucky. Dad’s not able to do half of what he used to. Which means most of it falls on me. Always has.
I watch Layla load her plate. She doesn’t pick at her food. Doesn’t hesitate. Just eats. Good eater, at least. Not like the twigs I see in the city who act like food’s a moral failing.
“Wow,” she says softly. “This is incredible, Nancy.”
