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“I was in a hurry. Daddy asked me to come in and see if you needed anything.”
“I’m good, but thank you.” Dad ruffles his hair. “Wanna hang with the old man?”
Gage tilts his head to the side, his brows pulling together. “Can we watch cartoons?”
Dad chuckles, “Go for it.”
I watch as he gives Gage the remote, and he quickly switches the program until he finds something he likes. It was so strange seeing Dad like this. He was never so complacent with Aaron or me. Even when we were kids, he’d find something for us to do around the ranch. But here he was now, watching cartoons with Gage like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
“You don’t have to stay here. You know that?”
I turn my attention to Dad, who’s observing me intently.
“It’s fine. I was working on something anyway.”
“I mean in Bluebonnet. You don’t have to stay in Bluebonnet. I’m sure you have more important things to do than to sit around the house and watch over me.”
“You’re just trying to get rid of me so you can sneak some unhealthy food when mom’s not home,” I joke, but Dad doesn’t crack a smile.
“I’m serious, Miguel.”
I lift my shoulders in a shrug. “It’s fine. It’s the off-season. Besides, I promised Timothy I’d stop by the school and work with some of his kids.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t be hanging around here the whole time.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Dad sighs. “I just don’t want you to feel obligated to stay, that’s all. You should go out and do something.”
“Like what?”
“Daddy promised me he’d take me to the fair this weekend,” Gage comments, his eyes still glued to the TV. How he caught what we were talking about when he was clearly immersed in his show, I’ll never know.
“Fair?” I repeat, my interest piqued.
I haven’t been to a fair since high school.
“There’s a fair in the next town over. Maybe you should go and give it a look.”
“Huh…” I rub my jaw, my mind already formulating a plan. “That’s not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll call a few of my buddies and go check it out once Mom’s home.”
“I don’t need a babysitter, Miguel. Go.” Dad pats Gage’s shoulder. “I have my company right here. Right, Gage? You’ll stay with Papaw until Granny comes home?”
“Will I get cookies?”
Dad chuckles, “I’m sure she’ll have cookies for you.”
“Just don’t let Grandpa eat them, Gage. He can only eat veggies.”
“Well, that sucks.”
This time, Dad full-on laughs, and I can’t help but stare at him. I don’t remember the last time I saw the man laugh. “You’re completely right, buddy. It does suck.” Heturns to me and finds me staring. “Go, your mom should be home soon, and I’m not about to get caught red-handed by her. She’ll rip me a new one, and I’m in no mood for that.”
Spotting an open space near the Reading Nook, I slide my car into it, killing the engine. Although it’s late afternoon, the hot air slams into me the moment I open my door. Sweat appears on my skin immediately. My phone vibrates as I’m locking the door. I pull it out as I cross the street and see an e-mail sitting at the top of the screen.
My heart starts beating faster when I see the sender.
Kimberly.
