CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
GOING ROGUE
JULIANA
My parents stay for the next few days, and we have the best time. Jackson and his new wife are the topic of many discussions, but after their surprising announcement, they left for their honeymoon, so there are still a lot of holes in knowing how this wedding happened. The only time I’ve seen Camden was when he came into the cafe and tried to subtly ask when he could see me again. So far I haven’t worked out a time.
I’m not trying to be difficult. I just don’t know how to keep our relationship a secret from my parents and the town if we’re around each other.
I can only keep my lustful eyes to myself for so long.
His dad already knows, but he swore he would keep it to himself, and I trust Goldie and Erin with my life. I feel bad that I haven’t exactly kept my end of the secret-keeping bargain. I’m sure he hasn’t told a soul.
I just know that if we’re around each other, my mom is too perceptive not to see right through me. She already looks at me funny whenever she catches me staring dreamily into space.
During my break, I step outside, wanting to make a quick run to the house. Ralph, my nemesis, keeps sneaking out of his heated coop and going rogue. He sees me coming and starts hauling his little claws toward me as fast as he can.
“Ra-ra-ra-raooo!” he yells.
It’s like he has a radar for when I’m in the vicinity. I don’t know what I did to him in his past life, but the little dude has it out for me. It’s a shame because he’s turned into quite a beauty. He’s all white with pretty red plumage or whatever it’s called. I’m too bitter about his attitude toward me to find out.
I grab the broom that I keep on hand for my safety because earlier in the week I didn’t have protection, and that little freak got me with his spur. It’s a good thing I had jeans on, but he still drew blood.
He reaches me and does his littleCome at me, bro, half flying, half two-stepping, and I intend on just shooing him with the broom, but he’s closer than I realize, and I send him truly flying. He lands across the yard in the snow, and I rush over.
“Ralph, I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?”
He gets up and looks slightly dizzy for a second, but then he notices me standing there and rears his head back.“Ra-ra-ra-ra-oo!” he screeches before coming after me again.
“Ugh. So much anger, Ralph,” I say, running away from him as fast as I can. “You need to take a page out of the hens’ playbook.” I try to pet the little one I’ve named Peaches as I race to the back door, but I keep it brief because Ralph is on my tail, and he’s having none of it.
I make it inside and close the door, leaning against it to catch my breath.
“Did Ralph get you again?” my mom asks with concern.
“He tried. I accidentally sent him flying with the broom.”
She snorts, and I laugh before walking over to kiss her on the cheek.
“Are you and Dad still planning to leave today?” I put my hands on her shoulders, facing her.
We stand about the same height, and when I see her, I can imagine what I’ll look like in twenty years.
“Yeah.” She sighs. “It’s getting harder to leave you and Windy Harbor each time. And with Papa and Uncle Hal even living there now…”
“The only ones missing are you and Dad…and Jackson and his new…wife.” I make a face. “It’s gonna take some time to get used to that.”
“I need some time around them together before this feels real,” she says.
I hug her, lingering there for a minute before moving to the table. I plop down in the chair.
“Ah, it feels too good to sit. I can’t do this for very long.” I pretend to fall asleep, and she laughs.
“I don’t know how you keep this schedule. You must be exhausted all the time.”
“I am,” I admit.
“Well…your dad and I are looking at retiring pretty soon. Maybe a little earlier than we’d planned. Seeing what Everett’s been through the past year…it really brings the important things to light, doesn’t it? We want to be closer to you, Dad, Uncle Hal…and the Whitmans too.”
