Page 77 of Cherry Tree Ranch

“Hey,” Cash purrs in my ear, startling me.

I punch a fist into his shoulder. “You scared me.”

“That was the point,” he laughs, sliding his hand into the pocket of my shorts and giving my butt a squeeze.

I yelp and grasp his hand. “Where were you?” I tilt my head into him.

He whispers playfully, “Watering the junipers.”

“Watering the –? Oh.” I nod.

I push my head into his chest, hoping I can stay here all night and escape small talk. “I’m confused about what’s happening,” I say, waving my hand at the crowd.

“Me too. People keep showing up.” He puts a soft hand round me. “Hank told me he heard guys from Silver Springs talking about it. Emery didn’t ask you if she could invite this many people?”

“All she said was a few friends.” I watch as Kaylee digs a nail into the thin marshmallow bag. She holds a marshmallow up to a guy’s mouth and he takes the whole thing in one shark-like bite. “Did you know Kaylee would be here?”

“No fricking clue. Do you want me to ask her to leave?”

There have got to be a hundred people here. So many they’ve brought their own chairs and coolers.

“No. It’s not like it matters any more, especially now that all the media hype is over.”

“Ready for a drink, then?” Cash asks, smiling sweetly. The fire’s glow illuminates half his face, creating a flicker of light in his right eye. He makes me burn as hot as those flames.

I shrug. “Sure.”

He fetches beer from one of the dozen coolers people brought up and he looks back, a mischievous smile curling on one side of his mouth. He must have seen the fire in my eyes. I don’t feel alone as I stand by myself listening to others chat. I’m taken off guard as Emery hip checks me, sending me closer to the fire than I’d like.

“What do you think?” she asks.

“I think you’re unbelievable!” I tell her, scowling. “You totally took advantage of me, and I’m pissed at you right now.”

She holds up her hands in defence. “I did not invite all these people. But it’s cool, Dahlia. You’ll be popular now.”

I take a jagged breath. “That’s what you think I care about?”

“Dahlia, look at the fun they’re having!”

“If even the littlest thing goes wrong … I swear to God, Emery … if it does, you’re going to be the one to tell everyone to leave. Right now, you need to tell them to stay away from the barn. Do you understand?”

She rolls her eyes. “Sheesh, I thought we could have fun together tonight.”

I close my eyes, infuriated. “You don’t get it, do you?”

Cash finds a place next to us and cracks open my beer. A pillow of white foam puffs out.

“It’s my birthday, you know,” Emery argues.

“I know, and I want you to have a happy birthday, but, Emery, please…” I wave to the barn. “You have to go tell them to stay away from the barn.”

“Fine! Whatever!”

I take a very long swig of my beer and watch her walk away. Cash puts an arm round my shoulders and tugs me into his chest. He runs a hand down my back and kisses the top of my head.

“I know this wasn’t what you expected, but how about we make the best of it? We’ll have a drink, eat cake, play cornhole and roast marshmallows, if you want.”

“OK.” I nod. “That sounds like fun.”