Page 91 of Small Town Boy

“It’s true.”

I nod, knowing where she’s taking this. “That may be, but I’m not entirely convinced they aren’t all showing up in hopes of me making a fool of myself.”

“Joke’s on them, because we still got their money,” Willa remarks.

“We won’t let that happen,” Camden says, walking over and leaning against the back of Sylvie’s chair. “We can make sure Atma keeps everyone in line.”

“Atma?”

“Mrs. Burch,” Sylvie clarifies. “That’s what Camden calls her—combo of Hattie and Grandma.”

“Oh,” I scoff-laugh. “She’s half who I’m worried about.”

“Oh no. She said something, didn’t she?” Camden’s face starts to pale as I nod. “Am I the only one is town she hasn’t been mean to?”

“Yes!” everyone says.

Camden sighs, a look of defeat taking over. I feel for the guy. After all, she is family. Sort of. Either way, it can’t be easy being “related” to the woman in town everyone is wary of.

“No one is waiting for you to fail,” Noel tells me, walking over and plopping down into the chair next to me. A second later, he reaches over, lifting me up and sliding me into his lap. My cheeks heat up, my heart racing as embarrassment takes over. I wasn’t prepared for him to claim me so publicly, even if it is just our friends, but damn, I like it. “And you have all of us there to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. We’re a team. Ride or die, Honey. Ride or die.”

He kisses me hard, and it takes everything I have not to get completely lost in it. If I had my way right now, everyone else would magically disappear, leaving just him and me, so I could show him all the naughty things I’m thinking right now. But I behave myself. Pulling back, I look him straight in the eye, feeling at home in those deep brown irises.

“Ride or die.”

26

BRONWYN

A chill runs through me, the damp, foggy morning air surrounding me as I take in the starting line. It’s the first borderline cold morning we’ve had since I moved south—my fall wardrobe finally getting a chance to shine—and it fills me with excitement. Which is almost enough to cover the nerves that kept me up all night.

“Here.”

The kind voice knocks me out of my trance and I blink, finding Dolly McLain standing in front of me holding out a disposable coffee cup with Dolly’s logo on the side. No, wait, not coffee. Tea. I smile, noticing the little string hanging out of the lid, the black tab blending in with her mittens. I take it from her, lifting the cup to my face and inhaling the sweet scent of Lady Grey.

“Thank you so much.”

“No problem. I figured you were gonna need it, and I hope it’s the right kind. Hux didn’t mention you drank tea and not coffee until this morning when I was putting together to-go cups for everyone, so that’s what we had at the diner. It’s a little late for this morning, but if there is another kind you prefer, I can keep it on hand. Just let me know.”

“Lady Grey is one of my go-tos, so this is perfect. And I’m surprised that Hux even noticed.”

“He’s really good with midlevel details. He’ll notice you drink tea, not coffee, but won’t know what kind. He knows that Ewan likes flavored creamer, but remembering that it’s hazelnut is asking too much.” She laughs, shaking her head. “So, as you’re working with him, keep that in mind.”

“I will.”

The conversation lulls, and for the life of me, I try to figure out something else to say. But I’ve got nothing. Absolutely nothing. Maybe I can blame it on the lack of caffeine, that my brain isn’t firing on all cylinders yet. Regardless, both of us are standing here, waiting on the other to do something, say something. Anything at all.

This started out so well, and now…well, shit.

“Oh, there’s my fiancé. If you want more tea, there’s some hot water and a couple of extra tea bags over at the coffee tent.”

“Great!”

My reply fades into the air as Dolly runs off toward a tall fair-haired man who looks less than pleased to be here. The awkward regret of wishing you’d handled something better sets in, igniting the nerves that were already hovering under the surface.

No, stop it! You’ve got this. Everything is going to be perfect…

I take a long sip of my tea, turning back around to do one more walk-through as the town starts to arrive, continuing my pep talk. Everything is in place. I have nothing to worry about. This is going to be the event that helps engrain me in Hickory Hills.