Page 3 of When Sparks Fly

My jaw slackens, but I manage not to let it fall open. Of its own will, my mind begins running through various scenarios. Ultimately, I know gaining the property Terrence has could be a massive expansion for us. At the moment, I have no idea how we could make it happen. It would be a huge endeavor, financially and logistically. A kernel of desire sparks in my chest anyway and I don’t extinguish it.

“Well, that’s certainly something.” I try to remain impassive.

He spits into the ditch. “I haven’t gotten with a broker, yet. Wanted to give ya a heads-up first.” He’s throwing me a bone and he knows it. My head bobs up and down in affirmation.

“If ya wanna discuss it, let’s set up a time to chat. I’m on my way into town, but thought I’d grab ya since I saw ya,” he says.

“Appreciate it, sir. I’ll let you know.” He shakes my hand one last time and then heads back to his truck.

This could be the move I need to get us where I think we need to be. I wave as Terrence pulls past me onto the road and turns around. He gives me a two-finger wave through the passenger window.

I drive through the front gate and over the cattle guard, veering left at the fork in the road toward the stables and the barn. The stables house all of our supplies and equipment, plus stalls for our horses. The barn serves to hold excess food, calves who need bottle feeding, and animals needing vet care.

Our permanent ranch hands, Jason, Kelly, and Cody, happen to be near the stables when I pull up. I motion toward the trailer for them to start unloading.

We hire seasonal help on occasion and sometimes get a dumb shit or two, but these three are the bulk of our team. As we grow, one of them will need to step up to fill a role similar to mine. If this new endeavor comes to fruition,this party will get a whole lot bigger. I look over the three of them, already speculating at who can move up.

Chapter 2

Maci

I’m positive I will wither away and die if I don’t get something to eat soon. My stomach grumbles in agreement.

The sun is lowering behind the tree line, casting the nature preserve where I’m set up in dusky light. Sweat trickles down my spine and my long, dark hair is like a blanket against my neck. The ebbing light is doing nothing to relieve the day’s stifling heat. Texas refuses to admit it’s autumn.

In contrast, I fully embraced October and all its glory for family photo sessions today. Halloween is my favorite.

The last family of the day is leaving with their witch-costumed toddler. “I’ll send your proof package over as soon as it’s ready. These are going to be adorable!”

“I can’t wait to see how they turn out!” A huge smile splits the mom’s face as she almost squeals at me. She squeezes me in a hug before they gather their things and head back to the parking lot.

A small would-be lemonade stand draped with black tulle sets the Halloween scene. Glass bottles of various shapes and sizes, painted in black matte, line the mantle. Their white lettering reads things like “Pick Your Poison” and “Tail of Newt”. One showcases a Jolly Roger. A tiny, round folding table topped with black pumpkins, a glittery skull, and a plastic cauldron completes the whimsical look.

It takes two trips to load my Jeep with the backdrop and decor items before I can jump in and turn the AC on full blast. I beeline for the nearest drive-thru. A juicy bacon cheeseburger with all the veggies—except onion, because seriously, who eats that—is just what I need. My mouth waters and I shove a scalding parmesan fry into my mouth before clearing it with my vanilla shake. An appreciative groan escapes into the otherwise quiet Jeep. This simple pleasure is the cherry on top of a perfect day.

Rush hour traffic in Austin is always a nightmare, but it gives me a chance to finish my meal. A few minutes before I reach my apartment, I use the preset to call my grandmother.

“Hellooo?” Her silly greeting floats through the phone to me, lightening my heart. There’s nothing she can’t fix. Today was a high, but so many times I called during lows over the years and just hearing her comforting voice often gave me the strength I needed to persevere.

“Hi, Nana.”

“Hi, baby. How are you?” Even through the phone, her love wraps me in a much needed hug.

“Good. I just got done with some mini-sessions and now I’m headed home.”

“That sounds nice. How did the photos go?” The TV chatters in the background.

“Actually, really well. Most of the kids were comfortable. I’m sure it helped that most of them were in Halloween costumes. The last one was a witch and she was so cute!”

“Oh, good!” Nana’s entire personality can be summed up as a sassy heart of gold. I know her care for these children having a good time during their photos is genuine. Talking to her only intensifies my need to see her. I missher so much and long for the days we were under the same roof. Summers and holidays spent with Nana make up most of my favorite memories.

“What do you have going on tomorrow?”

“Oh, baby, you know I’m so busy.” A giggle tumbles out before she’s had time for the joke to land.

“You’re so silly.” I shake my head with a small laugh of my own. “I want to take you to lunch. Think you can pencil me in?”

“Oh, I’d like that. I want to see some of your recent work.”

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