I hop over the fence and brush at the dirt with the toe of my boot. When I reach the metal, I realize it’s a container. And then I see the symbol painted on the edge.
“Shit.”
“What’s wrong?” Wes calls over to me.
I point at the ground, and he peers over the fence at it.
“Oh, fuck. That looks bad, huh?”
Pretty much. Written on the top of the container, in black letters, are two words—“Hazardous Waste” along with the universal symbol for biological waste.
“Not a word about this to anyone,” I mutter to Wes as we start back to the barn. “I need to get a plan in place first.”
“I won’t say anything,” he promises.
Before I storm over to the Easton’s front door half-cocked, I’m going to need some help with this. And I know who might be able to do just that—the shy, green-eyed woman from my past who says she works to save the soil.
Chapter Six
After I leave Big Sky Grocer, I collapse on my couch. I spend a couple of frustrating hours looking through my dissertation notes, but the sound of Brayden’s low, scraping voice won’t leave my brain. Eventually, I give up and call Sophia. She’s at my house in less than fifteen minutes.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” she says as she wags her finger. Her blond hair fans around her head in a wild array of curls. “You were supposed to call me yesterday, and you blew me off. Being a receptionist bites. I live for your phone calls to drag me out of my work boredom.”
I give her a hug and then lean back against the couch cushions. “I’m sorry. I planned to call, but I got caught up in a Save the Soil task, and then I…” I trail off awkwardly.
Her blue eyes narrow. “And then you what? Something tells me there’s a story here. And it’s better than your usual of, ‘Phillip scored another paper in the latest and greatest science journal.’ You’ve even put in your contact lenses, which means you’re really serious. So what’s up?”
I swat at her. “I’m wearing my contacts so I can be sure to see the dance instructor tonight.”
“You’re changing the subject now. Another sign of distress.” Sophia pokes me in the arm. “Spill.”
Part of me doesn’t want to say anything, but if I can’t tell my best friend, I won’t be able to tell anyone, and I’m not sure I can handle that.
Sophia is the only person in the world who knows about that night back in high school. I never told Stella, and after we graduated, Stella moved away, and with her went any last trace of that night. Until yesterday when I ran into Brayden Wild for the first time in twelve years.
“A new guy is helping out at June’s store,” I say casually.
“Oh?” Sophia’s voice rises in excitement. “Maybe I can get myself a friend with benefits.”
“He’s not your type,” I say quickly. Too quickly.
“Wait, is he your type?” Sophia’s voice lifts higher. “A man of science, not to mention a humanitarian who volunteers for any cause he can find?”
“He’s not like that. He’s a cowboy. And a football coach. He’s um…pretty laid-back.”
In truth, I don’t actually know if Brayden’s laid-back or not. But a part of me wants Brayden to be laid-back. Because there’s a part of me that’s sick and tired of trying so hard to do everything right.
“So in other words, he’s the opposite of Phillip,” Sophia says in a knowing tone.
“You could say that.”
“Well.” Sophia’s tone turns teasing. “What is it about this cowboy that has you all hot and bothered? Someone to sleep with before you marry and can never have another man for the rest of your days? A final fling before the ring? Leleila Wills, is that what I’m hearing?”
“I don’t want a final fling,” I say firmly. “I’m not a final fling type of girl.”
“No, but maybe this cowboy can help make you one.” Sophia giggles. “Or at least a harmless little crush. I have to meet him. Don’t deny me, Lei. Your life is always so predictable, and you and Phillip are so boring together. Mainly because Phillip’s boring, and he calls all the shots. So a potential crush before you lock it down for life? That I can get behind.”
Before she can continue, I blurt out in a rush of words, “Soph, there’s more to the story.”
