“I was just coming to say good morning and find out how you’re doing.”
“Harumph. I’m doing the same as I am every morning. My knees are aching and my arthritis is acting up. The cold weather will be coming in soon. I can feel it in my bones.”
“I had no idea you were a human barometer,” I teased.
“I can feel weather coming a mile off,” she scolded, her eyes narrowing at me as she struggled out of her chair.
I surged forward, reaching to help her, but she shook me off.
“Do I look like an invalid?”
“Of course not?—”
“I may be old, but I can take care of myself better than anyone else around here.”
“I have no doubt?—”
“You know, I used to run races around you when I was a child. Hard work—that’s what we were raised on. Now, we have these oil shops and cinemas and fast food restaurants. Nothing’s the same as it used to be.”
“Mrs. Abernathy, you’re not very fond of change, are you?”
“The only good that came out of change was when women could start wearing pants.”
“Well, I’ll agree with you on that one. Do you need anything before I go to work?”
Of course, it was a ridiculous question. Mrs. Abernathy would never accept my help for any reason, and just asking got her back up.
“Why would I need help? Go on with you. Git!”
“I hope you have a fantastic day, Mrs. Abernathy. It’s supposed to be sunny all day.”
“Not for long!” she shouted as I retreated. “We’re going to have an early winter!”
I held my hand up, waving to her as I ran across the street. Cheyenne looked bored to tears as she waited by the car.
“Did you have fun?”
“I did. I think I might actually get her on my side one of these days.”
“You know, it would go a lot faster if you brought Liam over. He would charm the pants off her.”
I stuck out my tongue and got in the car, determined not to think about Liam the rest of the day.
3
LIAM
“Ma!”I called as I walked through the back door of my parents’ house.
“In the kitchen!”
Tossing my cowboy hat on the hook, I kicked the dirt off my shoes before walking down the hallway and following my nose to the delicious scent of breakfast.
“Something smells good.”
Shooting me a pointed look, she jabbed the spatula at my chair. “You know I made breakfast for you, Liam.”
“And I appreciate that.”
