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“Porch!” she calls back.
Bailey’s silhouette appears in the screen door a few seconds later. She steps out slowly, exacerbating the annoying squeak. Her eyes dart to me, then away. “What’s going on?”
“Kyle was just talking about the chores he has to take care of this morning. This ranch has a thousand cows on it—did you know that?”
Slowly, Bailey shakes her head.
“A lot to keep up with. So, I was thinking you and I could head into town for a little bit, give Kyle a chance to get everything done.”
Bailey’s expression lights up. “Can we look at cowboy boots?” she asks.
“As long as it’s okay with your brother. He might need help shoveling cow sh—I mean, manure.”
I give Piper alookthat’s more amused than the scowl I was aiming for.
“Kyle, can I?”
I clear my throat, a little stunned that Bailey is actually asking me for permission. I figured she’d laugh before doing that. “I—yeah. Of course. As long as Piper doesn’t have anything she needs to be doing instead.”
Bailey bites her bottom lip, her expression hopeful as she focuses on Piper like she hung the moon and the stars.
One thing I have in common with my sister.
Pretty sure I look at Piper Egan the same exact way.
“Totally free today,” Piper says, smiling. “You ready to go now?”
Bailey nods rapidly.
“My car’s the sedan. I just have to grab my phone and my keys.”
Once Bailey is walking toward Piper’s car, I pull my wallet out of my pocket. I slip a card out and hold it toward Piper, who’s already turning to head inside.
She stalls in place. Glances at it. “What’s that for?”
I know it’s not a literal question. “Do you prefer cash?”
“I don’t want your money, Kyle.”
“Piper, this isn’t food you’re going to eat. No way am I letting you buy my sister—”
She cuts me off, “I’ll take the card on one condition.”
“Okay…”
“Meet us in town for lunch.”
I glance at Bailey, who’s waiting beside Piper’s rental car. “She’d rather just go shopping with you.”
Piper steps closer. “She didn’t know I would be here, Kyle. She came to seeyou.”
I exhale. “What do I talk to her about? Do some kids like talking about school? Because I hated talking about school, so I—”
She interrupts me again. “I don’t know any restaurants around here. Where’s best for lunch?”
“Acre 85 is the most popular, but it’s mostly barbecue. I don’t know if they’ll have any vegetarian…”
She’s already backing away, heading for the door. “Acre 85. Perfect. We’ll meet you there at twelve thirty.”
