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What was his family so excited about? They were only dating.
“Come on, Thatch,” Kirby grouched. “I got stuff to do. You don’t ride now, you’re gonna miss your chance.”
“Sorry. Can’t keep the boss waiting.” He hugged her and kissed her cheek before releasing her. “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Yep. See you then.” She walked out of the arena and got into her car, trying to submerge the panic starting to bubble up. She probably should’ve set some clear boundaries about the direction of their relationship. She loved hanging out with him, especially when they could escapeand just be alone together. But she couldn’t say what would happen in the future.
Lyric tried to shake off the sudden tension building inside her. She’d talk to him about all of that later. Thatch would understand.
By the time she made it to the café, the parking lot was full, and she had to find a spot down the block. Inside was crowded, too, but she managed to secure herself a stool all the way down at the end of the counter.
It took a few minutes, but Minnie finally made it over to her.
“Wow. You’ve got a crowd in here.” This might not be the best time for them to discuss plans to help Elina’s family.
“Everyone’s here for the Rodeo Days.” The woman wiped her brow with her apron. “But I can pop over as much as possible so we can discuss the family you were telling me about.”
“Perfect.” Lyric pulled her notebook out of her bag. “I’m thinking we’ll need you to rally the Ladies Aid Society for some meals and support.”
“I’m happy to.” The woman glanced past her. “Oh, sorry, sweetie. I gotta run. I’ll be right back.”
“That’s fine. I’ve got plenty of time.” She had all afternoon free before the big family dinner debut. Maybe she’d even be able to catch Thatch alone again so they could discuss how to manage his family’s expectations about their future. She wasn’t even sure how to manage her own expectations. Instead of dwelling on the complications in her life, she started to list the names of people that she knew might want to help Elina’s family.
After a few minutes, Minnie appeared on the otherside of the bar and set a glass of her favorite mint iced tea in front of her. “All right. Now, who is this girl you’re trying to help?”
“Do you know Elina Mills’s family?” She didn’t know why she asked. Minnie knew every family.
“Well, sure. I knowofthem.” The woman started to stack cups. She’d never learned how to sit still. “Don’t think I’ve ever really talked to Cathy, but I’ve seen her around.”
Working at the café every day—aka the gossip hub—she’d likelyheardabout the woman too. But that was the best thing about Minnie. She didn’t judge anyone.
“I guess her husband left recently, and things have been difficult,” Lyric told her, making sure no one else around them heard.
“Oh, how awful,” Minnie murmured. “Those poor kiddos. Well, we absolutely have to step in and help.”
Yes, but they’d have to be careful. The last thing she wanted was to get Elina in trouble with her mother. “I’m not sure how open Cathy is to help, so we’ll have to ease in.”
“Sure, that’s no problem.” She slung a towel over her shoulder and snatched a carafe off the warmer. “I’ll send her a nice card to start. And then we’ll get meals going and maybe some babysitting services, too, so she can have some space to work on herself.”
Before Lyric could respond, Minnie was gone again, refilling coffee mugs up and down the bar.
When she came back, Lyric was ready. “I can put a meal schedule together if you want. Then you can send it out to your network for sign-ups.”
“You got it.” She set the carafe down. Somehow, evenwith all the running around, the woman didn’t seem tired. “So, how’re things going with Thatch?” Her eyes twinkled.
The dullness that had blanketed her heart earlier came back. “Things are good.” She hoped they’d still be good after they could talk. Before, Thatch had told her he didn’t need to define their relationship, and she hoped that was still true.
“You look so happy when you’re with him, darlin’.” Minnie sighed dreamily. “It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
“I am happy when I’m with him.” So why did her stomach keep tying in knots at the thought of building a real future with him?
“Oopsie.” Minnie was gazing over Lyric’s shoulder. “It looks like we’ve got some customers running low on soda. I’ll do my rounds and be right back.”
As she scurried away, Lyric started to write out a schedule on the page of her notepad. She’d be more than happy to contribute a meal once a week. Kyra and Tess would both pitch in too. Though she might not even ask Tess, given the wholeupcoming birth of a babything. But all in all, it shouldn’t be difficult to get at least most of the week covered on a regular basis.
Lyric lifted her head to look around for Minnie, but her gaze landed on a figure standing inside the doorway. That looked just like—
Luke.
