A show of solidarity.
River’s eyes never leave her parents as they stare from across the kitchen.
When the song ends and Gran blows out the candles, the chorus of claps and cheers nearly makes me cover my ears. The headache starting even though I hadn’t had one all day. It’s a side effect, the doc said may stick around for a while but should eventually fade.
“What was your wish?” a voice calls from behind us in the living room.
Gran looks directly at her son and daughter-in-law, then at her three grandsons, before pulling River and Old Man Wilber back into her side.
“These people standing here with me today,” then she grabs the cake knife, cuts the biggest square I’ve ever seen, and disappears into the dining room with her cake.
“I hope you’re happy,” Warner grunts as he walks past us, the front door slamming moments later.
I am quite happy that dick decided to leave. Maybe now my woman can loosen up and enjoy the party she planned for the most important woman in her life.
Chapter 32
River
Therainpeltsmyumbrella as I sprint down the sidewalk and into the cafe, where I promised I’d meet Betty.
After that first opening night of the rodeo, we’d run into each other a few times, and traded numbers. We’d been able to wrangle her out for a girls’ night, but haven’t made time since. We’re long overdue to catch up on this thing called life.
Shaking out the umbrella, I immediately spot her at a small table toward the back, a mug already in her hands.
“Hey, so sorry I’m late.”
“No worries. I’m off tonight, so I’m not in any rush,” she stands to pull me into a hug. Betty was thin back in high school, but now womanhood has graced her with curves to accompany the narrow waist and mile-long legs. She’s no longer Beckett’s kid sister when I look at her.
“That makes two of us. I swear this rodeo season might kill me.”
She snickers, sipping her drink while I order mine and several pastries.
“Do you like it, though?” she questions.
“Oh, I love it. So much more than I ever thought I would, but I’m exhausted. Work has been busy, and with Gray still recovering and becoming a farm girl… well, it’s a lot,” I chuckle.
“You two seem happy,” she casts her eyes down.
“We are. But tell me about you. Catch me up on everything since I left town before.” I lean back in my chair, smiling wide.
Betty had been such a cool girl in school. Though I was older, we all wanted a bit of the popularity that came with being her friend. I got a taste of it because Beckett and I were close, but I wouldn’t say we were friends back then.
“There’s not much to tell. I work at the bar most days. Never left Cole County. That’s it, really.”
“You never left for school? Are you dating? Married?”
I immediately cringe at the questions I asked. I’ve never been one of those women who thought we needed to follow societal norms because that’s what we’re told or see in the media. My mother expected me to marry well and be just like her. She enjoyed being a stay-at-home Mom and was always there to receive us. I know I’m not the type. It’s not in my DNA to just be around my house, cooking, cleaning, chasing kids.
I always wanted more than Cole County had to offer, though I have always loved the charm of the place. It’s a place that nestles in your heart as home. It’s just that the opportunities aren’t the same for a woman in a profession like mine.
“Um, no. No one I’m really interested in here.” Her cheeks flush, those fawn freckles that always made her seem more girl next door, despite her loud personality becoming less visible under the rose hue.
I instantly want to ask if she’s still hung up on Nash Donovan. We all knew back in the day. He might have been the only one who didn’t. He’s eight years older than her, so of course he wouldn’t have noticed Betty back then, but he was in Beckett’s extended group of friends. The two proved to be a dream team on the football field.
“How about you? Are you settling in nicely at the practice? Is it really all men for partners?”
Another flinch rings through my body. “I wish I could say I was. My partners are… something else, to put it nicely.”
