Page 139 of Blue Jean Summer

Zach shook his head. “No.”

“What size do you wear?” I asked.

“Tens,” he said.

I craned my neck over the top of the couch to pitch my voice into the kitchen. “Sav, can you open up early tomorrow so I can get a pair of boots?”

“Sure. For you?” she asked around a giant bite of a biscuit that was fresh from the oven and still steaming. It made her look like a fire-breathing dragon. And, frankly, the aura fit.

“For my newest employee,” I said, motioning to Zach.

Savannah shoved the entire biscuit in her mouth and mumbled something that sounded like, “First pair?”

Zach nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

She pumped her fist in the air, clinking her bracelets together. “Hell yeah!”

“New game plan,” I said. “We meet in the kitchen at seven and go into town for boots, supplies, and a stop at the Moo Brew, and then we get to work.”

Zach looked…He almost looked excited. My heart swelled. Hallie wore a pleased smile as she hustled back to the oven and pulled out a cast-iron skillet.

“Don’t wear jeans that are tight around your ankles tomorrow,” Savannah said to Zach.

He looked bashful at having her direct attention. Then again, most men had the same reaction when it came to Savannah Scott. “I’m gonna check to make sure I have a clean pair,” he said as he jumped off the couch, ran through the kitchen, and dashed up the stairs.

The door opened, and Levi sauntered in. Mason was hot on his heels, holding a bouquet of pale pink roses mixed with sprigs of honeysuckle.

“You boys ready to eat?” Hallie asked without turning around.

“What’s for dinner?” Levi asked.

“Chicken and dumplings, snap beans, sweet corn, and biscuits,” Hallie said as she lifted the lid of a bubbling pot and gave it a stir. “And apple dumplings with ice cream.”

Levi groaned as he pressed his cowboy hat to his chest, like he was saying a prayer of thanks.

Mason looked at Hallie as he held the flowers, and Savannah’s eyes met mine.

The study doors clicked as Hayes stepped out, having clocked out for the day. “Hey, sweethea—”

“Shush!” I hissed as I swatted him away.

Savannah and I didn’t dare breathe as Mason sidled up to where Hallie was parked in front of the stove.

Savannah clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle a squeal as we watched Mason lay his hand on her back and offer her the flowers.

For a moment, Hallie didn’t move. Neither did Mason.

Savannah was braced to jump and cheer like a parent on the sidelines as their kid clumsily dribbled a soccer ball toward their first goal, and I was right there with her. Hallie deserved buckets of happiness.

“Oh my god,” I whispered in shock as Hallie’s cheeks flushed, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.

“She’s speechless!” Savannah squeaked in barely restrained glee.

Levi sauntered over to Savannah. “That’s my boy,” he said, offering a fist bump that Savannah returned. “He finally got up the courage to make a move.”

Hayes sat on the couch and pulled me down into his lap. “You’re watching them like they’re an exhibit at the zoo,” he whispered.

But Hallie and Mason were none the wiser to their onlookers. He spoke softly to her, keeping whatever was said between just the two of them.