I swallow.
Hard.
And then I nod.
She sighs and turns around, surveying the barn. “And it appears I’m tied up for the next few days getting this cleared. She must’ve putthat ball through a support beam or knocked it just right. It shouldn’t have fallen this easily.”
I can’t remember the last time I let fear run my life the way it’s clearly running Maisey’s.
She’s afraid to have too much liability on the ranch.
She’s afraid of doing anything that would make June uncomfortable or unhappy.
She’s afraid of not fitting in here.
“You’re allowed to make mistakes as much as you let June make mistakes,” I say quietly, ignoring that voice in my head that sounds a lot like Kory lecturing me about how I can be a good friend without showing up for every volunteer effort anyone in town needs. “And I don’t mean doing things like fucking around with someone she doesn’t like. I meanallof the mistakes.Anyof the mistakes. So long as your heart and intentions are in the right place.”
She shakes her head. “I’ve used up my quota of mistakes as a mother. Tell me that again when she’s off to college and her bills are all paid and I never miss one of her phone calls. Until then, Icannotafford to screw up with her again.”
I rub my neck and sigh, looking back at where June’s figure is steadily shrinking as she gets closer to the house and farther from us. “I’d vouch for her to any college soccer scout in the nation,” I tell Maisey. “She’s been as much a coach this year as I have.”
“You don’t say.”
She smirks at me, and it’s hot as hell.
I cross my arms. “You didn’t know she’d be good as a self-appointed assistant coach, too, when you bribed me with cherry crisp.”
“I did. But I was too stressed to remember it at the front of my brain. Thebackof my brain knew it the whole time.”
Not smiling at her sass is impossible. “You listening to the front or the back of your brain when you keep worrying that you can’t fix things with her?”
“Yes.”
“Take it from someone who spends every day with teenagers. You’re getting credit for trying. You’re getting credit for being honest with her. You’re doing the right stuff.”
“It’s really hard to not jump you right here when you say things like that,” she whispers.
“It’s really hard not to be jumped.”
She cracks up. So do I.
But it’s hard to keep being amused at not being able to touch this woman.
Chapter 22
Maisey
I recognize that it’s probably overparanoia to assume someone’s going to come onto the ranch and go digging around in the fallen barn while I’m with Junie at the soccer game, but I still rope it off with yellow caution tape before we leave for the hour-long drive.
The team pulls off another improbable victory, and we all celebrate at Iron Moose when we get back to Hell’s Bells.
I make sure to sit as far as humanly possible from Flint.
Charlotte notices, but other than a knowing look, she doesn’t say anything.
But it’s Sunday morning that surprises me.
Sunday morning, Junie and I are awoken by the sound of multiple cars pulling to a stop in our circle drive.
