Andie grunted as she gripped the mallet with both hands now and pounded the stake some more. “I’m supposed to be making it my own, remember? You have to figure out how you’re going to do that too. Thenyoucan be the one to pound in the stakes.” Sure, she’d coated the reply with a dose of angst, but she could hardly help it.
“Well said,” Betty encouraged with a laugh. “I think you’ve caught a stroke of genius with this idea,” she continued. “I can hardly wait to treat myself to a spa day once it’s up and running. I just love a good day of pampering.”
Andie tried to pull her gaze from the patchy ground, but her mind was stuck recalling other memories. Like their very first picnic on the quilt. All the times his kisses had sent her into a state so blissful she’d gone weak.
Not helpful.Andie replayed what Betty had said, hoping to catch up before too much time lagged.
“I’m trying to be excited about it too,” she admitted. “Whether I muster the motivation I first had or not, it’s a good distraction, right?”
Betty’s shoulders fell as she searched her face. “Come here, darlin’,” she said, wrapping her arms around her and pulling her in for a hug.
“Aww, I’m missing out oneverything,” Emmitt said, causing the pair to shake in laugher through the embrace.
“I think Trenton’s going to come to his senses,” Betty said softly. “I really do.”
Just hearing the words sent a burst of hope through Andie’s body. She wanted to swim in it, if only for a moment. It was so much better than the pain. “I hope you’re right,” Andie said.
“Men are as bullheaded as it gets at times,” she continued, “but when hedoescome around, I have a mind to bend him over my knee.”
Yesterday, Betty had shown up at her cabin, confiding that she was the one who’d overheard their conversation by the shed. Andie understood that Betty only wanted to protect Trenton. She also believed that Betty had encouraged him to ask her about it rather than simply run out on her like he had.
Suddenly another pair of arms wrapped around the two of them. “I’m sick of missing out on all the fun over there,” Emmitt said, rubbing his hand along her back. “You know I’ll beat the crud out of him, right?” he said playfully. “I mean, Trenton’s my friend and all, but blood comes first. I’ll crush his—”
“Stop,” Andie said half-heartedly. She shook her head as the huddle spread out. “I don’t want anyone to hurt him.”
Emmitt sucked air through his clenched teeth. “Uh oh. You mean I should call off the hitman?”
She chuckled against her will. “Yes.”
“Great. Wonder if he’ll still charge me.”
“Who’d you get?” Betty asked, playing along.
Emmitt did a dark chuckle. “Richard.”
Andie fought back the grin that threatened to pull at her lips. She had to admit, this beat sitting in her cabin and lying under the blankets. At least now she was being proactive. Working towards something that would connect her to The Homestead in a new way. People were likely to come and go, but the inn—that was her constant.
“Hey, Ms. Andie,” a familiar voice hollered from the stables.
She glanced over to see Dirk and Lee trotting horses around the corral. “Hey, guys,” Andie said with a wave.
“You going to be at the party tonight?” Lee asked.
“Yeah, cuz I’d like to dance with you if you are,” Dirk added.
Lee took off his hat and flung it in Dirk’s direction. “Hey, I was going to ask that, fool!” The flying cowboy hat breezed inches from Dirk’s head before landing in the dirt.
Dirk laughed. “Yeah, but youalready danced with her.”
“And I’m dancing with her again tonight if she’ll say yes.”
Andie bit at her lip, glad to know that at least she still had a few admirers. The pair sure knew how to bring a smile to her face. “I’m not sure I can make it this time,” Andie said. “But I promise to show up to the next oneandto dance with both of you when I do.” She’d likely regret making that promise, but Andie knew she’d need a healthy push to join the life of the living in the months ahead.
“I’lldance with you,” Emmitt hollered to the pair.
“You’ll dance with who?” Dirk asked.
“I’ll dance with Lee.” Emmitt’s grin grew. “Sorry, Dirk.”
