“Just wanted to give ya a call to check in.Make sure my Junie’s doing okay.”
“I’m doing good,” I promise.“I miss you guys, though.”
“Miss you too, baby.”
“How’s Dad?”
“He’s good.Just feedin’ the chickens and grabbin’ some eggs so I can make breakfast.”
I check the time on my dashboard.“You guys slept in.”
“Seems we did.It’s funny, when you get old like us, the time doesn’t seem to matter as much.We get to make our own schedules…unless the animals are involved.”
My mouth curves up.“Sounds like you’re living the dream.”
“Retirement is a thing of beauty, Junie, let me tell ya.”
I chuckle softly.“I can imagine.”I check the time again.“Unfortunately, not all of us can make our own schedules quite yet, so I have to go.But I’ll talk to you later, okay?”
“No worries.I only wanted to check in and say I love ya.”
“Love you, too!”
“Have a great day at work, all right?”
“Thanks, Mama.”I hang up the phone, then peer up at the massive house once more.
Come on, June.You made it this far.No backing out now.
Reaching for the door handle, I climb out and head up the steps with the little bundle pressed to my chest.
This is a bad idea.I mean, is it a bad idea?It kind of feels like a bad idea, but only because I’m dealing with Ford.If anyone else had stepped up and played tutor, I would’ve done this without batting an eye.So why do I feel like puking in the rose bushes?
My mouth forms a small “o” as I let out a slow breath and raise my hand, tapping my knuckles against the heavy door while ignoring the familiar wave of déjà vu coursing through me.
Tap, tap, tap.
Lowering my hand, I cradle Ford’s present to my chest and wait.Seriously, what am I doing here?It’s early.Everyone is probably still asleep.Maybe I should leave it on the porch.That would make more sense, right?Except I didn’t write a note.Why didn’t I think to write a note?Muted footsteps cut through my chaotic thoughts, and my pulse ratchets.Smooth as butter, the door opens, revealing a smiling Cobie on the opposite side.“Hey, June!”
“Hey, Cobie,” I return.
Her eyes fall to the bundle in my arms.“What do you have there?”
“It’s, uh—”A bad idea, is what it is.“Is Ford home, by chance?”I ask.
Her brows raise.“Ford?As in…my brother?”
Is there another Ford I don’t know about?
I rock back on my heels, unsure what to say.“Yes?”No idea why it comes out as a question, but clearly, Cobie isn’t one to push.
“Uh…sure thing.Come on in.”She pushes open the door the rest of the way, turns around, and yells, “Ford!You have a visitor!”
“One sec!”a low voice returns from the back of the massive house.
I move to the side as Cobie walks around me, closing the front door behind us.
This is awkward.Or is it?I don’t even know.Should I say something?Make small talk, maybe?Should I try to justify why I’m on her doorstep, asking for her big brother?Maybe clarify that I’m most definitely not here for anything shady or nefarious or…promiscuous?Does Ford even get visitors when there isn’t anything shady or nefarious or promiscuous behind it?Is Cobie even thinking about it?Wondering why I’m on her doorstep?It’s not like we know each other.We’ve spoken a total of two times, including this very moment.So, what?I’m here to talk to her brother.To thank him.Not a big deal.Totally and one hundred percent normal.Right?
