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“Checkin’ up on me, Grandma?” I ask.
She grabs my cheek like I’m five. “Always, dear.”
This causes Dad to let out a howl. “Maize walks a straight line, just like her father. Now, Kenzie, she’s a different story.”
“Okay, well, if I’m being truthful, I heard you were making double chocolate cake for dinner. I told Scott that sugar wasn’t allowed in the house anymore because it’s not good for our waistline. So, I thought I’d just grab a slice and be on my way.”
Dad snorts. “That’s cheatin, Mama.”
“No, no, it’s not. I said no more sugar was allowed in the house. The B&B isn’t home, is it? Technically, I’m still following the rules I set.”
I cover my mouth to hold back my laughter, then point over to the fridge where the five cakes are waiting.
“That’s why you’re my favorite,” Grandma says, and it causes me to beam.
Dad just shakes his head. “Wait till I tell Dad about your little scheme.”
“You will do no such thing, John Joseph Bishop,” she warns.
“Oooh, Grandma just pulled out the middle name,” I quip.
Grandma lifts an eyebrow at me as she walks over and grabs a to-go box. After cutting the biggest slice of cake I’ve ever seen, she places a plastic fork in the container with it and then gives me a wink.
“You never saw me. I wasn’t here.” She waves her hand as though she’s trying to pull a Jedi mind trick on us, and somehow, it works because neither of us will tattle.
I crack up, and Dad rolls his eyes. Grandma pats me on the shoulder, then waltzes out as quickly as she walked in.
“Grandpa showed up earlier. Trust me when I say he ate a stack of pancakes with extra, extra syrup,” he tells me with a shit-eating grin.
“Oh God,” I let out. “They’re cheaters! Both of them.”
“Not technically, just found loopholes. And they wonder where Jackson gets this shit from!” he exclaims. A bell dings at the front desk, so he hurries to fill his cup full of coffee, then leaves.
As I’m washing my hands, my phone vibrates. Once I dry them off, I pull my cell from my back pocket.
Rowan: See you tonight!
I laugh.
Maize: I said maybe!
Rowan: You will be there, or I’ll kick your ass.
This makes me laugh.
Maize: Aww. How sweet. I’d like to see you try, though ;)
Rowan: I’m serious! Plus, who knows, you might meet a new man at the bar tonight. You just never know.
Maize: Oh pleaseeeee. We all know the only guys I’ll see there are the regulars and ranch hands.
Rowan: Don’t be a Debbie Downer. They’re coming around nine. Be there or be scared. You deserve to let loose and have a little fun!
Maize: You know I’m an old lady and get up early.
Rowan: So it’s time to change that. See ya there!
I send her a thumbs-up, something she hates, then I grab all the dirty rags and place them in the wash before telling everyone bye. Rowan doesn’t like to take no for an answer, but I don’t want to commit just yet. I’m so tired I might fall asleep before the sun sets.
Once I’m home, I kick off my shoes and relax on the couch. I close my eyes, knowing I need to shower because I smell like a mix of food and sweat.
“Are you sleepin’?” Kenzie asks.
I open my eyes and glance at her because I didn’t even hear her come in. ”Not yet, but if you would’ve left me a little longer, I might’ve been. Mondays are always so exhausting.”
She gives me a half-smile. “Okay, just wanted to let you know I’m leaving. Get your ass rested so you can hang out with me until close.”
I groan because she’s just as relentless as Rowan.
She nods, then checks the time. “See you later, sis.”
I give her a wave, then finally get up and head for the shower. Staying up late during the week isn’t something I like to do because of how early I have to get up in the mornings, but I want to spend as much time with Kenzie before she returns to school. I really can’t wait until she graduates in the spring and is home permanently. It’s just not the same here without her.
After I clean up, I take an hour nap and reset my brain before I begrudgingly go to the bar. Though I may not stay until close like Kenzie wants, I hope it makes them happy to know their peer pressure still works after all these years.
Chapter Two
GAVIN
Over the weekend, I moved all my shit into one of the spare ranch hand cabins. Though the new place is furnished, I still had a lot to pack and bring with me. I also couldn’t leave Houston without my favorite saddle and rope. I thought I could pack up and move in with little effort, but it took an entire day just to load my truck. Then it rained during the whole damn drive to Eldorado.
