Page 18 of Risking Romero

Emotion threatens to overwhelm me again. “They don’t even knowme.”

“My family have big hearts. And that pair are very sharp. If they think you’ve got a viable product here, then youdo.”

“We could save the farm,” I whisper. Something that seemed impossible for my sisters and me a few hours ago is suddenly within reach.

“So we’ll make an appointment for you to sit down with them this week, and we’ll see where it leads.”

I nod and snuggle into Romero’s side, watching the steady flow of people through the house. “You know, when Bree mentioned a movie night, I was thinking we might sneak upstairs and fool around.”

“Funny thing,” Romero says. “I had that same thought.”

“But this …” A gaggle of children hurries by us, chattering. One boy stops, doubles back, and grabs a chocolate chip cookie. Stuffing it in his mouth, he gives me a gooey grin and runs after his playmates. “This is good. It’s crazy, but it’sgood.”

Something changes in the atmosphere, a subtle alteration of the air around us. “Yeah,” Romero says quietly. “It’sgood.”

I’m not sure what just happened, and I’m afraid to ask. I don’t want to spoil this moment. So I lean against Romero, and bask in the glow of having family fill the house. Even if it’s not mine, even if it’s only temporary, it feels right.

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