Page 39 of Peacocks

“And did you see my special message for your grandmother this morning?”

I nodded. “Sure did, Amos. Couldn’t miss it.”

Amos’s thin chest puffed up. “Took me forever to get those cows lined up to spell out ‘ENTWINE ME, EMMALINE PROUD NUTTER.’”

The messages Amos painted on his herd had become so legendary in the Thicket folks came from surrounding towns on festival days just to see them.

But somehow, Amos never seemed to realize that his cows didn’t stay where he put them.

This morning, when I’d passed his grazing field out by the highway, half a dozen cars had been pulled over so people could take cow selfies… and most of the herd had been spelling out PUT TWIN MEN IN ME EMALINE, while the others had their asses turned toward the road.

Still, it was the thought that counted, right?

“It was a… a beautiful tribute to your love,” I told Amos solemnly.

Several other people approached me to thank me for my work on their wreaths and for the Entwinin’ archway I’d created for the grandstand podium. “The kids are almost finished addingthe wildflowers to it, and then the mayor will get the dancing started,” I heard Lurleen Jackson telling Latonya Henson. I glanced over to see the archway overflowing with clumps of fresh spring flowers. Seeing it in a riot of colors made my heart swell.

If only Lane was there, I could point it out to him. But I hadn’t seen him yet, which meant he’d probably gotten caught up at work with an emergency. He knew what a big deal the Entwinin’ was in theory, but I couldn’t wait to see him experience the real thing for himself.

The guys from Champion Security stood off to one side, talking and joking around while enjoying Quinn Champion’s spiked Love Punch. I wandered over to say hello to Kandi Nutter, who was hanging on to their every word.

“You’ll never believe the wreath Hux made Kev. It’s non-binary… which is weird because I thoughtJordanwas non-binary,” she said in a stage whisper.

Jordan huffed out a laugh. “It’sbinarycode, Kandi. You know, the language computers use? Kev’s a computer geek, so he’s all up in his feels about it. It’s how you say I love you in computer speak.”

Kev shot moony eyes at Hux. “It’s naughtier than I love you. He spelled out something incredibly… um… inappropriate. And Huxley is going to get very, very lucky later because of it.”

Hux wrapped a proprietary arm around Kev’s waist. “As lucky asyougot when you showed me your Horn this morning?” Seeing my startled look, he explained, “Kev managed to twine a wreath in our video game, using wisteria from our own homestead. I literally didn’t know you could do that.”

Kev blushed. “You can if you’re friends with the programmers atHorn of Gloryand get them to create a limited-time Jasper Huxley Entwinin’ expansion pack.” He shrugged. “I just wanted you to know how special you are to me.”

Christ, I hoped Lane looked half as pleased when he saw my wreath. Made me kind of wish I’d been there to see his face.

I turned to ask Quinn what kind of wreath Champ made for him when I heard a shout.

“Jaybird Proud! I cannot believe you.”

I froze. Lane’s voice cut through the crowd like a spotlight, and he didn’t sound pleased.

Suddenly, it seemed every eye in the Thicket was on me. I turned, and there he was, standing in the middle of the square, holding my wreath in his hands.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear. His chest heaved as if he was out of breath, and his hair stuck out wildly.

I’d never seen him like this before, not Lane the polished professional or Lane the quiet guy who watched me from across the table like he was trying to figure me out. This Lane looked… riled up. And determined.

Shit. Had he felt the super un-casual wreath was a breach of our agreement? Had he felt pressured despite my best efforts? Did he really want to do this in public?

I took a step back, but he kept coming closer, the crowd parting around him like they knew something big was about to happen.

“How could you leave this on my doorstep?” he demanded, holding out the wreath I’d made him. “What in the world were you thinking?”

My mouth went dry, and my face heated to a million degrees. I’d worried about him taking it wrong, but I hadn’t imagined he’d be quite this angry about it.

“I… I…” I swallowed hard. Even angry, the man was the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen… and since I’d spent my whole life experiencing the wonders of the Thicket, that was saying something. The way I felt for him was beautiful too, even ifhe didn’t feel the same. “I was thinking I wanted you to know how much I care about you, Lane Desmond. But it’s okay if you don’t feel the same,” I hurried to add. “I swear. I don’t expect anything?—”

“Well, maybe youshould.”

Lane pulled another wreath out from his back pocket and held it up. The thing was crooked and messy as hell, not like it had been thrown together haphazardly, but more like it had been overworked and re-twined by clumsy fingers until it was mangled.

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