“How come you don’t like barbecue chicken? It’s my favorite,” Caleb exclaims.
“I’m a vegetarian,” I say.
He blinks at me before turning to Briar. “Mama Briar. What’s a veggie-tor-ian?”
Everyone bursts out laughing at his adorable attempt at the word.
“It’s someone who doesn’t eat meat. Birdie sticks mostly to fruits and vegetables,” she explains.
“Oh.” He frowns like he still might not fully understand. “Does that mean she doesn’t eat the meat Uncle Walker makes?”
A cheeky smirk crosses Julie’s face, and Briar and Jensen exchange amused glances. When I look over at Walker, he’s chuckling, clearly entertained by a six-year-old calling him out on his career choice.
Admittedly, it used to bother me, but I’ve come to accept that society will never cut back on their meat consumption, and the Halsteads treat their cattle better than any other operation in the country—I know because I’ve done my research.
Besides, they’ve taken in more than their fair share of my rescues, and Heath even kept a calf named Petunia two yearsago after her mom didn’t survive her delivery—she’s totally his pet now, even if he tries to deny it. Still, watching everyone’s reactions to Caleb’s innocent question thinking I might be offended is hilarious.
I crouch next to Caleb so we’re eye to eye. “I don’t eat the meat Walker makes but I’ve heard it’s tasty. Those cows are lucky to have him and your Uncle Heath taking such good care of them.”
“One day, I’m going to be a cowboy too,” he declares with a toothy grin.
“You’ll make a mighty fine one,” I agree, giving his cowboy hat a playful tap.
“Come on, Caleb,” Briar says, waving him over. “We better get this food out to Uncle Heath and Gramps so we can eat soon.”
“Okay.” He clutches the bowl he’s holding tight, tiptoeing as if it were full of fine china, his tongue peeking out in concentration as he follows Briar and Jensen to the back door.
The little boy who I met last year and who he is now is night and day. When Jensen and Caleb first moved to Bluebell, Caleb didn’t speak. His mom had just died, and he’d retreated into himself. Now he’s a little chatterbox and we’re all constantly entertained by him.
Walker shifts the tray of chicken to one hand and laces his fingers through mine as he heads toward the back door. “You defended me. I figured you’d take the chance to throw me under the bus,” he says, winking at me.
“I’ve learned there are far worse things happening to animals that I can actually do something about, so as long as you and Heath keep treating your cattle with the respect and care they deserve I’ll let it slide.” I meet his gaze with a teasing smirk. “Besides, you’re rather useful to me right now, so I’d better stay on your good side.”
He chuckles. “Is that so?”
“Mh-hmm,” I whisper, rising on my toes to kiss him.
Our lips have barely touched when Caleb’s voice rings out from the back porch. “Eww. Kissing is gross.”
I pull back just enough to glance up at Walker, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and we both break into laughter at Caleb’s comment.
My chest swells with happiness, and I wish this moment could last forever, with Walker gazing at me like I’m his world and being surrounded by the lighthearted chaos of his family. It’s confirmation that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
Do You Want The House Tour?
My cheeks hurt from laughing so much. We spent several hours with Walker’s family. It was loud, boisterous, and positively perfect. The Halstead siblings teased each other nonstop, but that doesn’t diminish the close bond they share. They’re fortunate to have such a strong support system.
I’ve been over for dinner many times over the years, but being there as Walker’s girlfriend gave me a different perspective I’ve never had before. As an only child I’m used to the quiet, but spending the evening with the Halsteads reminded me how comforting the chaos can be.
When Briar, Jensen, and Caleb said they were heading back to the cottage for the night, Walker took it as his cue to excuse usas well. Briar agreed to watch Logan and Rory tonight, another reason she’s such an amazing friend.
As we climb the stairs to Walker’s studio apartment above the ranch house, a knot tightens in my stomach. I’ve spent so long imagining what sex would be like, cataloging every possible thing that could go wrong. Now I could be minutes from finally experiencing it, and my nervous anticipation twists into fear that I’ll ruin the moment and fall short of making my first time worth remembering.
Even though this whole thing started with Walker agreeing to teach me to have sex under the guise of dating, I want this to be memorable for him too.
Briar gave me a tour when the Halsteads added on the two loft apartments, but I haven’t been in this one since Walker moved in.
I take in the open floor plan, exposed brick walls, and the beam running across the ceiling, imagining the large windows along the side of the house must flood the space with sunlight during the day, though the blinds are drawn now. The reclaimed wood floors cause my footsteps to echo softly as I look around the loft.
