Page 31 of When Sparks Fly

“I’m going to be working on prep for the Fall Festival. That means you and Daddy need to stay out of my way.” If only I could take her stern voice seriously. I can almost smell the jams cooking and breads baking.

“Let me know if you need anything.” I kiss her on the head.

“Sutton.” She grabs a towel from the counter to dry her hands and bumps the dishwasher closed with her hip. “Don’t work your life away.”

My brows furrow as I halt in the doorway. “I’m going out tonight.”

She snaps lids onto the leftover containers spread on the counter and opens the refrigerator, placing them neatly on the shelves. “That’s not what I mean.”

Shuffling condiment bottles fill a few moments while neither of us speak. We both know the condiment bottles haven’t moved recently. “Come to the Fall Festival. Maybe you’ll meet someone.” The last part is said quietly.

“Mama—"

Knowing I’m going to protest, she stands suddenly and gives me a look I know better than to argue with. “How are you supposed to fall in love if you spend all of your time with cows?”

My eyes bug and I release a full belly laugh.

“Just think about it.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Thirty or not, I know when not to sass Mama.

She flips the light off on her way out of the kitchen and I swear she mumbles something aboutpretty babiesas she heads down the darkened hallway to my parents’ bedroom.

Cool night air greets me when I head out to my truck later. I roll the window down and embrace the reprieve from the grueling sun. After a busy week, a few beers with Nick is just what I need. Never mind that Saturdays are my least favorite time to visit The Spur. Second least. Fridays are the worst.

Available parking in the first row is a surprise since everybody in town seems to be here tonight. I am not looking forward to fights and bullshit, so I plan to have a few beers and get the hell out of Dodge.

A cold rain begins to trickle down. As I reach the door, it becomes a steady shower and squeals burst out behind me. Knowing someone is about to be drenched, I pull the door open wide and press my foot against the bottom of the door, stepping aside. Two women are hightailing it across the parking lot with their heads ducked, squeezing between my truck and a long set of motorcycles. An abrupt gust of wind whips through the parking lot, splattering all three of us with ice-cold raindrops as it blows. One of the women shrieks.

“Thanks!” she yells over her shoulder as she barrels past. I wonder if she’s rethinking her dark denim shorts.

Her friend is moving a tad slower. She pushes her windblown hair out of her face as she passes. Her laugh and bright smile greet me over her shoulder when she turns to say something.

Maci.

She stares back at me, her face nearly glowing, and whispers a thank you.

My heart stutters awkwardly. I lick my lips and give her a stupid nod because she’s the last person I expected to see tonight. And also because while I assumed Happy Maci would be beautiful, she’s intoxicating.

A light wash denim jacket covers a white dress with flowers on it, cinched around the middle with a brown belt. She reminds me of a 90s country chick-flick my sister watched when we were kids.

I can’t pull my eyes from her bottom lip as she bites it. It’s doing things to me it shouldn’t.

“Sutton.” She sounds as surprised as me.

I clear my throat. “Hey. How are you?”

Her eyes flick to the pavement then back to me. “Better. Thank you.” She sounds genuine.

“Good.” I look behind her into the dark bar for a moment. “Can I—"

“Come on!” Her friend returns to the door, yanking her through. “We’re going to miss it!”

“Ok!” A playful laugh escapes her and she waves at me as she’s pulled inside. For a few seconds, I’m rooted to the doorway with the wind throwing icy water at me, watching her disappear into the dark.

Shaking my head like an idiot, I step inside, allowing the door to close. A mammoth of a bouncer sits on a tiny stool not far from the entrance. He eyes me like he’s seen the entire exchange and thinks I’m in way over my head. He’s right.

“Heyyyy. Suttonnnn!” Nick calls from a table not far off.

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