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My dad unhooks the straps, and I unthread them from her body.
It’s not until my dad and I are a few feet away that she gets up and goes about her business.
“Well, that’s enough for today. Come in and see your mama, I’m sure she has some more leftovers for you.”
After I wipe as much mud off my boots and butt as I can, I drive the rest of the way to the house. My mom is standing on the deck, her hands fussing with a kitchen towel.
“Did ya’ll get her out?”
Yeah, ma. Porkchop is good.”
“Porkchop?” She shrieks “Is that what your dad named her?”
Her hand goes to her chest, I’m not sure if she’s actually offended or not.
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“I mean, it’s kind of funny,” I say as I take the steps up to her.
She rolls her eyes and play slaps me with the towel.
“It’s silly. It’s a cow, not a pig.”
“I know. That’s why it’s funny.”
“Fine. Come in and grab these leftovers your daddy won’t eat.
Will you be here tomorrow night?”
“Sure will.”
I follow her inside; grab the few dishes she has for me and stay to chat for a little before leaving. Needing to get home and shower after sweating at the gym and getting half my body covered in mud.
Chapter Twelve
Grayson
THE NEXT DAY GOES by quickly. I stayed busy on Tuesday getting my loft cleaned and then having dinner with my parents.
Mom sent me home with leftovers and a Tupperware container full of her famous chocolate chip cookies. I don’t know how she makes them, but they stay soft for a while, and they aren’t chewy.
After I leave my parents’ house, I head over to the river access to let Riley know about our…date? No, our adventure. I hope she has some water shoes.
I pull up behind her Jeep and see that she is sitting in a lounge chair next to a low burning fire. I slam the car door a little harder to let her know I am here, and not sneak up on her. Her body jerks up and she looks my direction.
“Oh, hey Grayson.”
“Hey Munchkin” I say and then think better of it. “I mean, Riley.”
She laughs. “It’s fine. I actually think it’s kinda cute. I think of the munchkins from The Wizard of Oz. With cute flower hats and lollipops.”
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“Fair enough,” I say as I take a seat next to her.
