AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Zayne nodded. “Just remember thatplayto Duke usually means the same thing asnap. But you might get him to fetch a stick a few times first.”
The two wandered off together, and Andrea called after them. “Don’t leave the yard, Hudson. I want to be able to see you when I come out here.”
He didn’t look back. “Okay, Momma.”
She looked to Zayne and rolled her eyes. “He’s four and he’s already discovered thatwhatevertone of a teenager. God help me.” Zayne followed her into the shop, and she shook her head. “I just need to pick up the last of the files. I promise not to steal anything in here if you want to finish your yardwork.”
“I’m not worried about you stealing. I’m just surprised you’re still on this. Aren’t you done yet?”
Yeah,shethought she’d be done by now, too. She’d taken on a little more than expected. But she gave him a bright smile.
“Almost. Which is good, because my deadline’s this week. I’m using an off-the-shelf bookkeeping program, but it will keep track of your scheduling, billing and even your inventory if you want. I’m doing most of the data entry at home—that’s the tedious part. All you’ll have to do is press a few buttons once I’m done, I promise. It’ll even calculate your taxes.”
She added that last sentence hurriedly, only because he looked so skeptical. She gathered up the last few folders of orders. These were the most recent and would bring the records up to date.
“I didn’t expect you to spend your own money...”
“I consider it my investment in the corn maze. That’s why I’m doing this.” Her face fell. “You get that, right? This is all about the maze. You promised.”
“I promisedtothinkabout it,” he answered.
“I’m going to knock your socks off, my friend.” She put as much confidence in her voice as she could muster. “You won’t be able to say no.”
“We’ll see.” Her stomach churned at the thought that he was just stringing her along. Or maybe it was churning because she’d only eaten a banana muffin so far today. Or maybe it was because she’d only slept three hours last night, between schoolwork, festival work and Zayne’s bookkeeping.
She headed for the door with her armful of folders, fighting her rising anger. “No,you’llsee. I don’t break my promises.”
She was outside before she heard his response behind her.
“I seem to recall you doing exactly that.”
He followed her to the door. Andrea dropped the folders on the hood of her car and pointed her finger at him. Would he ever get over that one awful mistake of hers? All these years, she didn’t think she cared one way or the other. But now that she’d spent time with him this week, it was important that he forgave her. That he was okay.
“I told you I was sorry about that. I made a mistake when I was seventeen, Zayne. Let it go.” Her frustration with herself made her sound annoyed.
“Let it go?” His voice sharpened. “You were always going to be my friend, remember?”
They were glaring at each other when Hudson walked over and took Zayne’s fingers in his hand. “Duke fell asleep, Mr. Zayne. Are you talking about when you and Momma were friends? She told me you used to climb a big tree with her. Do you still climb trees? Can you teach me how?”
It only took a beat for Zayne’s eyes to soften. He looked down at her son, now leaning against Zayne’s leg—his bad leg, if she remembered correctly—staring up at him with nothing but happiness. Her beautiful boy. Seeing Zayne’s expression—his gentleness—with Hudson made her chest go warm.
“Your momma told you that, huh?” Zayne looked a little confused. “I wonder... I mean, yes.” He glanced her way quickly. “Your momma and I had a favorite tree we used to meet at. It was a willow tree with a big old limb down low—it didn’t take much climbing. But once we were up there, no one could see us. We were safe.”
Safe.Her breath caught at the word. It must have been a rare feeling for him when they’d first started hanging out in the sixth grade. The old willow was about halfway between her mother’s sprawling contemporary home and Zayne’s single-wide.
“What did you do in the tree?” Hudson made a face. “Did you kiss my momma in the tree?”
Zayne looked straight at Andrea. “Only once.”
It was the summer before senior year. Zayne’s dad had just been given what was basically a life sentence. Andrea swallowed hard. And she’d promised him she’d always be his friend. The kiss had been sweet and gentle—sealing a promise she broke two months later.
“I really am sorry, Zayne.”
“Sorry for what?” Hudson asked. “Momma, what did you do?”
“I—”
“Nothing, Hudson.” Zayne talked over her. “Your momma was a good friend.” Until she wasn’t. She blinked as he continued. “We both did silly things.”
