Page 29 of When Sparks Fly

“What’s happening to it?”

The sliding door eases open silently as I continue. “I don’t know exactly. Nana stipulated in the will that it goes to Randi one hundred percent, while Stephanie is married to Alan.”

There’s a deep intake of breath from Izzy.

“The focus is on clearing it out, so I doubt Randi will keep it. And I can’t imagine Stephanie will leave Alan.”

Izzy lets my comment hang. Sometimes I think she should’ve been a therapist instead of a dental hygienist, the way she helps people get to the answers they seek on their own. “All of that aside, would you want it?”

How could I not want to keep the place that always felt the most like home? Where so many of my best memories hailed from? But I have a business and a life in Austin. Things I’ve worked very hard for. I’ve managed to nearly extricate Stephanie and Alan from that life, a goal I plan to fulfill once all is said and done.

“I don’t need to hold on to a house that’s just going to sit.”

“You’ll figure it out,” she says lovingly. There’s more she’s not saying. “I’m headed out to the beach for another lesson. I can’t believe I only have three days left.”

“Have fun! Before long you’ll be elbow-deep in dirty mouths again,” I say, referencing her career as a dental hygienist. My laugh stops abruptly, when I remember Hank. “Oh my god! Speaking of mouths—”

“Oh, this should be good,” Izzy teases.

I grin but continue. “The lawyer handling the probate has the most gorgeous smile. And eyes. But you’d definitely love his smile.”

“I do love a nice smile,” she agrees. “Alright, gotta run. Love you.”

“Love you, too. Don’t forget brunch on Sunday!”

Aside from our usual texts throughout the week, I hear once more from my best friends when Leah calls me on Wednesday to discuss an encore visit to The Spur.

“I told you, I don’t need a do-over.” I’m preparing for two family sessions this afternoon. It feels good to be using my camera again. In some ways it’s an extension of me.

“I know, I know.” Leah seems ready to argue all day about this. “We won’t be on the prowl! Just two besties dancing.”

My fingers tap against the camera case I’m readying. I do like dancing.

“Come on. You know you want to. When was the last time you went dancing?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re a terrible influence, you know that?”

Something akin to a slap comes through the line. “So…yes?”

“Yes,” I grumble.

She squeals. “Yes! We’re going to havesomuch fun.”

I hum a response. “Don’t forget we have brunch Sunday. I’ll come in Saturday and we can get together, but you don’t get to bail on brunch.”

“Scout’s honor.” She’s entirely too chipper.

“You weren’t a scout.” Our laughter mingles through the phone. “Ok, I have to leave soon so I can actually make some money. Text you later.”

“Ok. Love you.”

“You, too.”

Chapter 14

Sutton

Fall calves start to arrive over the next week. Of the pregnant cows, fifteen are heifers who haven’t delivered before and the other thirty-five are from experienced cows. About a third of the herd isn’t expecting. Heifers sometimes have a harder time, due to size among other things, so we monitor closely for any signs of an issue.

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