Turns out therewassomeone else willing to take over as soccer coach.
Had no idea that Kory’s boo was just as obsessed with soccer as he is with drag, but all’s well that ends with a championship trophy.
Maisey’s split Wit’s End into two parts. The smaller part is a true training ground now for ranchers of the future, which is also useful for letting about a quarter of the high school population blow off steam by helping take care of chickens, goats, and the three horses that we have now. The other part of the ranch had a soft opening last fall when she hired part-time staff to run classes in basically everything that every woman in Hell’s Bells wanted to learn or try for a hobby.
It’s been an interesting school year.
But mostly, it’s been fun.
“Ice cream?” Maisey asks me as the crowd starts dispersing away from the statue of Gingersnap, which will eventually be moved into the park where I cut Maisey out of the swing almost two years ago now.
I slip an arm around her shoulder. “Or we could go make out up in the loft.”
She smiles. “We could.”
“Unless Junie’s planning on kicking any soccer balls that way ...”
“At least they’d know we went out happy.”
I grin at her again and press a kiss to her forehead. “Would your mother or your daughter be more embarrassed?”
She pretends to think about it. “Ooh, tough question.”
“What’s a tough question?” Opal asks.
“Strawberry or cookies and cream,” I answer instantly, which sends Maisey into a fit of laughter.
“That isnotwhat you were discussing,” Kory says behind her.
I shrug. “And that’s a problem because ...?”
The two of them team up on us and shoo us out of the barn, not letting us get away with sneaking up to the loft for alone time. Soinstead, we mingle with our friends and fellow citizens of Hell’s Bells, with more stories about Gingersnap and Tony getting told than we’ve heard in a while.
Maisey’s mom is new enough here that she’s the novelty now, and every time I check on her, she’s telling another story about prison.
Safe to say life won’t be boring, even with Junie leaving us for college in a few months.
Gradually, most of the townsfolk head home after we get the refreshments tables cleaned up, until it’s just a small group left.
Charlotte and her kids and their dog. Kory and his lovebug. Regina and her kids andtheirdog. Opal. Junie and her boyfriend, who’s headed to the Colorado School of Mines with her. Maisey’s mom.
The most important people, all gathered around, eating sandwiches we ordered in advance.
I pull Maisey into my lap as she attempts to walk past me. “Hey,” I murmur. “Good day?”
She loops her arms around my shoulders and kisses my forehead. “The best. You?”
“Not quite done yet.”
“No?”
“Lot changing.”
She sighs, and this time, instead of kissing my forehead, she rests her head against it. “There is.”
“Think I want one more.”
“Day?”
