Heads turn in the row in front of us. “Would you shut up?”
She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. Forever the brat.
“Now, I don’t have anything major to talk about.” Chuck continues, his beady eyes staring at my sister. “Except it’s planting season, which means more machinery on the road.”
Saylor lets out a small gasp, her hand gripping my forearm as my spine straightens. I stare ahead, watching Mayor Emerson talk about awareness for planting season as if it’s any other event in this tiny town.
“As you know, machinery takes up more of the road and operates at a slower pace. Let’s keep our distance and be patient with their slow speeds. We want to avoid any accidents.”
The way he talks about accidents makes my skin crawl. And to say it’s nothing major has my teeth grinding.
Yeah, there’s nothing major about farm machinery on the road except that my father died due to a car versus tractor accident. His death could have been prevented if it weren’t for an impatient driver.
My spine tightens, and I seek out the one person I should be avoiding. But when my gaze lands on Wren, she’s already looking at me. Forehead creased in concern, her eyes are soft as she looks at me. I hate myself for giving her this attention, but she’s always been the one to calm me. She was my best friend way before we dated. Before I broke her heart, and she broke mine.
As Mayor Emerson drones on, I zone out. The last thing I should be doing this time of year is wasting time in a meeting. Equipment needs to be checked, hay fields need fertilizing, cattle need to be rotated to fresh fields all before planting season begins shortly.
“Now, that’s all I have for tonight. We’ll meet—”
“I’ve got something,” Jacob Pierce interrupts, standing at his seat.
Mayor Emerson’s face deepens into a shade of red. The man hates being shown up, especially in front of the town. I’d love to find a way to show how horrible he is.
“Go ahead, Coach Pierce.”
Pierce turns away from the mayor and addresses the crowd. “As you all know, the Silo Bay Athletic Boosters host an annual casino fundraiser in May. Since…” He pauses, clearing his throat and looking toward the Drummonds. “Since Hannah’s passing, we’ve been trying to fill her role, but the truth is, the woman was incredible. She took on far more than a single person should have, and while we have most things handled, we could use a few more volunteers. If anyone is interested, please talk to me or my wife, Abby.”
Abby Pierce waves, their youngest daughter strapped to her chest.
“If that’s everything,” Mayor Emerson adds, looking around the crowd before hitting a gavel, as if this is a courtroom. “Meeting dismissed.”
Chairs scrape against the mat-covered floor as conversation rises.
“He gives me the ick.” Saylor shivers.
“Pretty sure he gives everyone theick.”
We shuffle out of our row, moving toward the back of the gym.
“Baker playing tonight?” I ask Levi, who nods, typing away on his phone, probably checking in on Audrey.
“You coming, Saylor?”
She shakes her head. “No, it was a ten-hour shift today. I’m dead on my feet. A cold bevvie and some me-time sounds like my kind of night.”
Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I pull her in for a hug. “Be safe driving home.”
“Will do. Call me if you need a ride,” she mumbles in my chest.
“I live within walking distance.”
“I meant from Wren’s house.”
I shove her away. “You’re delirious.”
She laughs devilishly, wiggling her eyebrows. “Have fun, big brother.”
“Bye, little Riggsby,” Heath calls out, and I glare at the motherfucker.
