“What about you?”Erik asks, curious now.“You with the Carsons?”
“Sort of,” I say, brushing a strand of hair off my cheek.“I’ve been helping out a bit on their farm when I can.I’m a vet tech.I just graduated and moved here not long ago.”
“Impressive,” Lukas says, nodding.“Bet they’re lucky to have you around.”
I don’t answer that.Compliments from strangers don’t usually feel right.
Then Lukas elbows Erik lightly, motioning toward the deck where the crowd is watching us.“I'll grab the cooler.”
Erik grins, but before he can argue, Lukas steps forward, takes the cooler from the back of my truck, and heads toward the deck.
“Guess you're stuck with me,” Erik jokes, walking alongside me as I follow.His tone is teasing but not pushy.“For the record, you showing up is kind of like a breath of fresh air.”
“Is that your line?"I laugh.
He laughs, eyes bright, not offended.“Depends who’s asking.”
“Then I’ll take that asyes.”
He gives me a cheeky grin.
We reach the deck, and Lukas drops the cooler beside the grill where Eli’s already set down the one he brought.I’m still smiling faintly from the exchange when I glance up, and that’s when I feel it.
The air changes.There’s weight behind it, attention I can feel before I find him.Nate’s standing on the deck, beer bottle loose in his hand, the sunlight cutting across his shoulders.His expression is unreadable, but his eyes are on me, steady, hot enough that it sends something I don’t have a name for right down my spine.
For a second, the noise dips.Like the party itself holds its breath.
Then it all comes back, laughter, clinking bottles, the music from the speakers.A girl’s laugh is too sharp, too practiced, draws my eyes to where a brunette in a dress two sizes too tight is standing closely behind Nate.She’s saying something I can’t hear, smiling like she’s trying to mark her territory.
I look away first.Because I’m not here for them.I’m here because sometimes people need to be reminded whathomefeels like.I am here for Kenzie and her family.
So, I turn to Erik and Lukas, smile politely, and say, “Thanks for the help.”
Lukas nods, easy and warm.“Anytime.”
I chat with Eli for a few minutes, and then, like I can feel the pull of the water, I walk towards it.The air feels like freedom.Something special about the cool air that drifts off the water on a hot summer day.I pull off my top and kick off my shorts, leaving just my bikini blue green that reminds me of the ocean.
The dock’s warm under my feet, and I tilt my face up to feel the sun and breeze on my face.Perfect.
Somewhere behind me, a high voice cuts through the music.
“Daddy!Hurry...she’s gonna sing with the fishes!”
I turn, startled, and then I’m laughing.Because a little girl, maybe five or six, is sprinting down the steps, dark curls bouncing like springs.She’s wearing a sparkly dress that is almost blinding at this angle.A tall man follows, broad and muscular, Deep brown skin, close-cropped curls faded on the sides, smiling at the little one, headed straight for me like he’s used to chasing her.
The girl stops right in front of me, hands on her hips, chest heaving with excitement.
“Are youreallya princess?”
I crouch down, meeting her big brown eyes.“Me?"I look around, exaggerating the gesture, "You think so?”
She nods solemnly.“You look like one.But you don’t have a gown.”And then shrugs like that is the only problem she can see with this.
“I tend to leave my gowns at home.They get tangled when I work with the animals, and I can't ride as well with them.”
Her face lights up.“You live on a farm?!”
I grin.“I don't.But I work with animals on farms."She is so excited that she is bouncing in place."You like animals?”
