“We can drive out somewhere. I’ll drive all night if I have to,” Waylon offers.
“No one is going anywhere until we know where we can find a heater. There’s no sense in sending you out on a wild goose chase.” I swivel on my heel, already making a mental list of places that might be able to help. “I’ll make some calls.”
I step out of the barn, calling everyone I know to see ifthey have a spare heater. No luck. I call all the local stores followed by the ones I know of within an eight-hour drive. Nothing.
Overwhelm swirls inside of me, and instead of calling stores farther out, I call the only person I know who can make this better.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Jax
My heart soarswhen I lift my ringing phone to see Lauren’s name on my screen.
I slide the button to answer. “There’s my girl! Are you ready for tonight? I’ve been practicing in my room. I’m a pro now.”
“Shoot! I forgot all about our lessons.”
The panic in her voice makes my stomach turn. “Are you okay? What’s going on?”
“We’re getting prepped for the cold front that’s supposed to sweep in tomorrow night, but there was an accident when we were installing one of the heaters. It’s useless now, and there’s a hole in the water tank too. I don’t know how we’ll be able to get it all sorted out in time. I’ve called every place I can think of, and everyone is sold out.”
“I’ll be right there.” I grab my keys from my pocket.
“What? No, you don’t need to do anything.” I picture her tensing up and holding her hands out in protest. “I’msorry. I’m just overwhelmed, and you were the first person I thought to call.”
“I’m honored. Now hang on, I’ll be there in five. I just gotta ask someone to cover for me at the bar.”
“You don’t need to?—”
“I’ll be right there, Freckles.” I hang up, heading out the back door to my truck as I make another call.
In just under five minutes, I’m pulling into the Copper Hill driveway with reinforcements.
Callie bounds up to Lauren, wrapping her in a hug. “What can we do to help? I’m pretty good with the winterization stuff. I helped with your barn back in high school because—” She stops in her tracks. “I just know the process. I’m happy to help finish whatever needs to be done while the heater situation gets figured out.”
A hint of relief crosses Lauren’s face. “That’d be great.”
Without waiting for further instructions, Callie surges off toward the barn.
Olivia steps forward. “What can I do?”
“Can you help me make more calls?”
Olivia nods, pulling out her phone and stepping aside for some privacy, leaving just Lauren and me.
“See?” I smile. “No need to be overwhelmed. You have a whole swarm of people who love you and are here to support you.” I glance around before wrapping her in my arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
“You didn’t need to do this.” Her voice is weak. “I would’ve figured it out.”
“I know, but I didn’t want you to think you have to do it all alone.”
“Thank you.”
I hear a loud cough, and glance upto find Olivia, phone to her ear, eyes wide as Mr. Rhodes walks toward us. Lauren leaps from my arms, and I don’t have time to linger on the way that stings. Her dad looks paler than normal, and he doesn’t carry himself with the same pride I’ve come to know.
Lauren rushes toward him, grabbing on to his arm and asking, “What are you doing out here?”
Mr. Rhodes straightens. “I came to see what all this commotion is about. What are y’all doing here?”
