“Worse,” he admits before leaning in to whisper, “I used to think they were sort of like a cult, but the good kind,” and I snort out a laugh. “The kind that shows you what you’re missing out on, and even makes you believe God could love you enough to let you have it all, too.”
I blink up at him in disbelief after he adds that last part, though he only smiles encouragingly.
“Don’t get any ideas. I’m just here for the free meal and the barn animals,” I say faintly, gesturing over my overalls. “Nobody’s getting me to drink the Kool-Aid.”
“Did you say you were ready to go out to check on the lambs?” Gertie pops out from behind me and grabs my hand, tugging me onward and melting my heart.
“We’ll go soon, I promise. But I’m pretty sure your parents will want you to finish your lunch first,” I tell her with a laugh.
Gertie sighs and drops my hand. “You’re right.Grand-méreis never going to let us go until we eat.”
“Why don’t you and your brother fix your plates, and I’ll askGrand-péreto take us on the side-by-side in a bit?”
“Yes!” she exclaims before she dashes off to grab Giles and inform him that “TanteClaire said she’ll bring us to the barn after we eat.”
“Sounds like you’ve already been sipping the sweet stuff,Tante,” Landry muses as Rowan and Daisy return, and my cheeks flush.
“Can I get you something to eat?” Rowan asks, handing me a glass of iced tea before casually placing his hand on the small of my back. My eyelashes flutter as I attempt to keep my cool, and I look up to find Daisy batting her eyes mockingly.
“Thanks, but I can serve myself,” I say flatly.
“You’d better move fast if you want a bite of thatcouenne, because I’m pretty sure my dad’s been ‘accidentally’ dropping pieces of that pork roast for Frankie and Oscar since we got here,” Rowan says with a smirk. We all turn our heads in time to catch Mr. LaFleur feeding Oscar a piece of the crispy pork belly from the Cajun microwave and chuckling to himself.
“I guess I could go for a plate, if you really don’t mind,” I concede. “Oh, and don’t forget the rice dressing.”
His smile grows, and he reassures me that he’ll be back soon. I take a sip of the tea, cautiously raising my gaze to Daisy and Landry, who look even more pleased than Rowan.
“What?” I ask defensively. “I like meat.”
“You should probably ask my brother for some of his sausage, then, since you seemed to enjoy it so much last time. I’m sure he’d be all too happy to share it with you,” Daisy drawls, and I choke on my drink as an unexpected laugh bubbles out of me.
“Easy, Blondie. I’m starting to think you spend too much time with my sister,” Landry says, stifling a grin.
She clicks her tongue. “Well, I have to hang out with someone, since my brother stole my other friend.”
“Like you haven’t been prioritizing hubby booty over bestie duty,” I say with a snort, and Daisy frowns. “I’m only kidding, Daze. That’s the way it should be.”
“Babies don’t just make themselves you know,” she says softly, glancing back at Landry for support, and Juniper whines at her feet.
But I’m the one struggling not to crumble after I’m hit with the realization that I’m a shitty friend, just a half-second before my jealous side nails me with a gut punch.
“You’re pregnant?” I ask quietly, my lips trembling with the effort it takes to keep the corners of my mouth up.
“Not yet, but we’re hoping to be soon,” she replies with a shy smile and a pink tint to her cheeks.
“That’s great,” I choke out, pausing to clear the emotion from my throat so I can hide my bitterness with some playful taunting. “I mean, how exciting? Especially for you, Lan.”
“Yeah, thanks.” Landry rewards my suggestive eyebrow wiggle with a short laugh, but I can tell he’s not buying what I’m selling.
I’ve never been more grateful for Rowan’s timing when he returns with my lunch. Daisy’s still staring at me with what looks suspiciously like pity, but I ignore her and bite into a piece of roast.
“Gertie and Giles are waiting for me to take them to the barn,” I mumble through a mouthful when Rowan regards me curiously.
“Better finish soon, then,” he replies, gesturing to Gertie as she walks our way.
After some negotiation, Rowan’s dad stays behind to keep Frankie and Oscar out of trouble, while another of Rowan’s nieces joins the party, and Heath drives us out back on the UTV. We catch the tagged lambs from before and bring them into the barn for inspection and a refresher on their care, and I can’t help beaming with pride when Gertie takes the lead and shows her cousin how to select another lamb with show potential.
“I knew you were an amazing teacher,” Rowan leans down to whisper near my ear, and I swallow hard.
