“Exactly,” Andie said with a sigh.
The distinct sound of someone clearing their throat echoed from the field.
“It’s Trenton’s turn,” Dominque said as Andie lifted her gaze. Sure enough, he’d been waiting for her to tune back into the game before taking his turn.
“Men are such needy creatures sometimes,” Betty said with a giggle. “That’s one thing we love about them though, isn’t it?”
Andie only laughed in response as she kept her eyes on Trenton. “Show us what you’ve got, Country Boy.”
Trenton was about to throw when he stopped short and darted a look at her. “CountryMan.”
“The men are at eighteen now,” Don announced. “The ladies are at nineteen. Let’s see if Trenton can bring the guys into the lead.”
Trenton swung his arm back, then front, and let the horseshoe fly. It bounced in the sand before skidding to a stop along the edge of the pit.
“Nice try,” Andie called. “If you do that again, you’ll miss your chance to take the lead.”
Trenton fisted the next metal game piece, eyes fixed on the stake across the way. “And if I get a ringer, we’ll take the win.”
A mass of flutters took flight in her tummy as she took in his handsome features. From the spectacular definition in his strong and chiseled jaw, to the well-defined muscles in his arms, shoulders, and chest. She’d never known someone so masculinely beautiful in all her life. Of course, it was the full package that made him so. If his insides didn’t do his outer appearance justice, Andie mused she wouldn’t possibly be so attracted to him. As it was, he was just as wonderful inside.
At that thought, Trenton hurled the horseshoe toward the stake. Andie watched as it flipped full circle, once, then twice before sliding right up against the stake with a hard clank of clarity.
And while she didn’t like losing, Andiedidlike seeing Trenton succeed.
Don looked up and gave her the cue.
“I’ve got it,” Andie said. And with that, she grabbed the rope and gave it a few quick tugs.
“We’ve got a ringer!” Don announced. “And that’s the winning point for the guys. Good game, all. Good game!”
“Would have been better ifwewon,” Mable muttered under her breath. “Well, I’ve got to get back to the kitchen. Dinner calls.”
“I’ve got some things to take care of myself,” Betty said, giving Andie’s arm a squeeze as she came to a stand. “See y’all a little later.”
D’Shawn and Shaquille celebrated with high fives, hoots, and cheers as they made their way over to the bench.
“Good game,” D’Shawn said, nodding at Andie before rubbing Dominique’s head.
“We better get back to Mom and Dad,” the other said.
Dominique gave Andie a pointed look. “Me and my mom will meet you in the kitchen for donuts,” she said. “Then we can practice.”
“Sounds good to me,” Andie said.
“What are you going to practice?” her brother asked her.
But the little girl only shook her head. “You’ll see.”
“See you guys later,” D’Shawn hollered up to the guys. “Thanks for the game.”
Emmitt and Trenton, who were talking amongst themselves, stopped to wave at the boys. “Anytime,” Trenton said.
“See you later,” Emmitt added. And then they were back in conversation again, heads ducked and voices low.
A stir of worry swept through her as she considered what they might be talking about. Hopefully Emmitt wasn’t warning him about Richard and his growing concern over Andie and Trenton’s relationship. She couldn’t imagine why he’d feel the need to push their older brother’s agenda, unless he was worried about things himself. Which, she already knew, he wasn’t.
Still, as she watched the two of them in quiet conversation across the way, Andie couldn’t help but worry that something could take all of this away from her. That it could all be gone even quicker than it came. Even if Richard said something innocent, something that contradicted the narrative she’d given him.
