Page 26 of Still Love You

He pats my back. "You're a good kid, Silas."

I look over and see his grin is back. "Thanks."

"If I were able to pick who my daughter would end up with someday, you'd be my first choice."

I smile. "I would hope so after that quiz you gave me. You had me sweating bullets taking that thing."

"At least you got the important questions right." He motions to the water cooler in the corner. "Fill up some bottles, then let's head out to the fields."

Carl and I spend the rest of the day weeding and thinning out the new seedlings. The sun is hot, and by six, I'm drenched in sweat. I took my shirt off and could ring it out it's so wet.

We're done for the day so I go to the hose and lean over and run the cold water over my head and down the back of my neck. I instantly feel better. Now I just need food and a hot shower and I'll sleep like a baby.

"You want to join us for dinner tonight?" Carl yells from a few feet away. He's winding up one of the hoses.

"No, thanks. I think I'll just grab something on the way home."

He walks over to me. "Or you could go home, clean up, order a pizza and see if a certain girl would like to join you."

I smile. "Are you trying to play matchmaker, Carl? After that speech you gave me about me not having a chance with your daughter?"

"I never said you didn't have a chance. I was just telling you what you're up against. But even if you and Willow end up going your separate ways, it's not happening right now." He grins. "What do I always say?"

"To live in the moment." He said that to Willow and me all the time when we were kids and in a hurry to grow up. We'd roll our eyes, not really sure what he meant, assuming it was just something dads say.

"Live in the moment, Silas. Just enjoy the time you have with each other. Don't waste it." He glances behind me. "Looks like my ride is here." He points to the Prius driving up.

Willow's parents only have one car so if Candace needs it, she has to drop Carl off and pick him up. There's an old truck on the farm he can use if he needs to, but it doesn't run well so you wouldn't want to drive it too far.

"Hey, Dad." It's not Candace. It's Willow.

Carl walks over to her. "Hi, honey."

Willow's standing by the car, wearing khaki shorts, a white tank top, and flip-flops, her hair in a ponytail. She's got that cute, girl next door look that always turns me on. I feel movement in my jeans and try to mentally stop it, but it's not working. 

If I'd known she was coming here, I would've tried to clean myself up a little. Instead, she sees me when I'm sweaty and drenched with the water I just hosed myself down with.

But she must not be too disgusted. She hasn't looked away. 

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