When I get to the farm, I don’t waste any time sitting in my truck longer than necessary. Grabbing my work gloves, I head straight for the barn. When Dad agreed to let Brinley stay on the property, I promised him that I’d help get the chores caught up.
With the season underway, I wasn’t stopping out as much as I normally would, which left a lot on him to shoulder. Pun not intended.
I’m halfway through tossing loose hay into the stalls, spreading it out along the feeders, when I hear footsteps behind me.
“Hey.”
Brinley’s voice carries across the yard, cutting through the quiet hum of the barn. I glance over my shoulder and find her stepping out into the sunlight, wearing a pair of jeans and one of my old hoodies.
My hoodie.
She must’ve found it in one of the closets since I hadn’t seen it since last winter. Something warm spreads through me at the sight of her.
“You didn’t say you were back already,” she says as she walks closer. Her eyes flick to my arm for half a second, like she’s checking in without asking outright.
Her hair is pulled away from her face, her skin bare, and I’m able to see the light dusting of freckles covering her cheeks.
“I figured I’d get a head start on chores,” I tell her, grabbing another flake of hay and tossing it into the stall.
She nods toward the barn. “You come out here often to help out?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Keeps me out of trouble.”
I wink.
She snorts. “Doubt that.”
I’m just about to call an intermission and pull her into me when tires crunch over gravel behind us.
We both turn as a black BMW rolls into the drive. The engine cuts and the door swings open.
Atlee hops out with the kind of energy that suggests she’s already been talking for ten minutes before arriving. She shoves her phone in her pocket, ponytail bouncing as she scans the yard.
“Atlee,” I call.
She spots me and grins. “Wow. You finally showed up for once. I was starting to think a cardboard cutout had replaced you.”
“Nice to see you too,” I mutter. “Little shit.”
Brinley laughs under her breath, and Atlee’s eyes zero in on her.
I see the moment it clicks.
Oh.Thatgirl.
Atlee’s smile shifts as she strides over with the kind of look on her face that means I’m about to regret what happens next.
“So you must be the mystery girl.”
Brinley blinks. “Mystery girl?”
“My mom mentioned you. Repeatedly. I’m shocked there wasn’t a town hall meeting about it.”
I shoot her a look. “You done?”
She ignores me and sticks her hand out toward Brinley. “Atlee. Sorry about him. He was raised better. I’m his sister, unfortunately.”
Brinley shakes her hand, smiling. “Brinley. I didn’t realize I was… Rixton news.”
