“How else would I eat it?” I joke as we try a few chips-and-salsa samples. “Then we actually ran into Nora Martin in the animal barn.”
“Oh, how is she?” she asks, before her eyes go wide and she starts fanning her mouth. “Oh my lanta. That’s hotter than Hades.” I roll my eyes and hand her my water bottle.
“She’s okay, I think, but she seemed sort of sad. We might hang out again. I don’t really know.”
“I think you should. She seems like a nice girl who could probably use a friend like you,” Mom replies, panting like a dog between words.
Huh.I feel guilty. I hadn’t really put a lot of thought into what Nora might need. I could use a fresh start, but from what I saw with her mom, maybe Nora needs that too.
Maybe she could use a friend like me just as much as I could use a friend like her.
CHAPTER 19
MOCHA ICE BLEND WITH TWOshots and extra whip,” I call out into the coffee shop, sliding a perfectly made drink onto the pickup counter. A five-hour shift and zero mistakes. Progress. Mostly thanks to Kendra not scheduling me with Cal anymore.
“You’re really getting it down again, Stevie,” Kendra says with a satisfied look.
“Thanks for being so patient with me,” I reply, feeling like I’m finally starting to settle in now that I’m not spending all my time trying to remember the past.
“Oh please, you’re killing it.” She looks at the analog clock on the decorative brick wall behind us. Noon. “Go on. Get out of here. I’ll see you tomorrow,” she says.
“Sweet. I convinced my dad to rent a boat today to take my mom and me out on the reservoir,” I reply, with a stupid smile plastered onto my face. We haven’t actually done anything together all three of us since the accident, which feels so weird. So I think it’s the perfect time for our annual summer boat outing. I think it’s exactly what we need.
“Well, have a good time! You’ve got a great day for it,” she replies.
I pull my phone out of my pocket to let them know I’m going to head to the marina, but before I can, I find a voice mail from an unknown number and a different kind of text from my dad.
Hey kiddo, not going to be able to get out on the water today. Swamped at the garage and Uncle Chuck called out sick. Maybe see you tonight if I’m not home too late.
Damn.
I peel off my apron and then head out the back door toward my Volvo.
I press play on that voice mail and hold it up to my ear. I’m assuming it’s a telemarketer since who really leaves voicemails anymore, so I’m not expecting it to improve my mood. But my mouth drops open slightly as the guy on the other end talks and my disappointment is temporarily forgotten.
I can’t actually believe it.
The second he’s finished, I quickly dial Ryan’s number, strapping my seat belt around me at the same time. With each ring, my smile grows a little wider.
Pick up. Pick up.
“Hello?” he says finally.
“Ryan… we won! We freaking won a cow!” I scream into the phone, and he laughs.
“You’re kidding me. That’s amazing! Where are you?” he asks, incredulous.
“I’m on my way to the farm to like… I don’t know, tell Nora it’s hers, I guess?”
I can figure out the logistics of picking up and re-delivering a cow later.
“Youhaveto call me after and tell me what she says.”
“I will,” I reply as I turn the key over, switching my phone to the other ear.
“Maybe we could do it again sometime,” he says.
“Win another cow? I’m not sure we should press our luck,” I joke.
