Page 16 of A River of Crows

Mom laughed. “It’s supposed to get up to the 70s. If you think this is cold, try a New York November.”

Sloan knew there was no way Ridge would leave at sunset; he’d want to watch the crows. He’d talk Daddy into it. She had to think fast.

“Promise you’ll be home in time to watch 21 Jump Street.”

Daddy looked up from his paper and raised an eyebrow. “You hate 21 Jump Street.”

“No, I don’t.” Sloan looked down at her lap. “It’s okay.”

He tussled Sloan’s hair. “Alright. Deal.”

Sloan grabbed for the syrup. It wasn’t perfect, but it was something.

“Would you look at that?” Daddy reached under the table. “A penny. Who would so carelessly leave their money on the floor?”

“It’s just a penny, Dad,” Sloan said, mouth full of pancake.

Her father’s face twisted in mock surprise. “Just a penny. Well, I’ll have you know, Sloan Celeste Hadfield, you can take a penny, drill a hole in it, and then you’ve got a washer you can sell for a dime. That’s nine cents profit if you’ve already got the drill, which we do right over in the garage.”

Sloan caught her mom rolling her eyes as she walked toward the table. As much as Sloan loved this dreamer side of her father, she figured they wouldn't be poor if any of his ideas were good.

“Are you sure you’ve got enough bait?” Mom asked.

Daddy stood. “Relax, Caroline. We aren’t going to Jupiter. Sit down,” he insisted, pulling out a chair. “Eat. And don’t worry about cooking dinner tonight. Spend some time with Lo. Order a pizza.” Daddy grabbed one end of the cooler. “Sloan, help me load this.”

Sloan took the other end of the bulky red cooler and helped her dad lug it out to the truck.

“Are you sure I can’t go?” Sloan tried again.

He shut the truck bed. “Come on, Sloan. You and I can do something Tuesday. I’ll even let you miss school. But spend time with your mother today. She’s been sad. Your granddad died, then the Turners left. Libby was her only friend around here. Not to mention, you and Ridge are growing up; you don’t need her as much as you used to.”

“Well, she should get back to writing her bird book.”

“That’s a great idea,” Daddy said. “Your mother graduated top of her class. Sometimes it must seem like she’s stuck here, but she can still get back to her passion. God knows there are plenty of crows to study. You should encourage her.”

“Mom won’t listen to me.”

“Probably not,” Daddy agreed. “Then how about you just promise to do one thing that makes your mom smile or laugh today?”

Sloan groaned.

“One thing.” He crouched and held up a finger in her face. “One.”

Sloan pushed his hand down. “Fine. One.”

Daddy turned. “Here, hop on. I’ll give you a ride back up to the house.”

“I’m not a kid anymore, Dad.”

“You’re still my kid. Come on, hop on. We’ll shake that grim mood off ya.”

Sloan was too old for these silly games, but she hopped on his back anyway. Daddy charged up the lawn, jostling her from side to side. She laughed despite herself. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around Jay Hadfield. No wonder he sold so many cleaning supplies.

Sloan glanced at her watch as her dad set her down. Almost 10:00. 21 Jump Street came on at 7:00. Nine hours tops, and she’d see him again. If Ridge came home bragging, so what? Her turn was coming. She’d spend today planning everything their day would entail.

She passed her mother and Ridge hugging goodbye and grabbed a pencil from the hallway before going into her room and slamming the door.

Daddy and Ridge were late. Sloan could tell her mom was worried by the way she paced across the living room, chewing her nails and checking the clock. Yet, when Sloan suggested they go out to the creek to find them, Mom told her to stop being ridiculous; they’d be home soon.

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