Page 16 of Buckled in Barbwire

“Fine.” The single word is ripped from my mouth.

“Just fine? You can do better than that.”

“Super-duper,” I gush.

“Better.” Her sharp gaze watches as I fight the urge to fidget. “That was quite the conversation. Very riveting.”

“Not really. Just catching up.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?” She’s practically frothing at the mouth while chopping at the bit. “I overheard something that sounded a lot like boy troubles.”

“More like broody billionaire problems.” Regret immediately tightens my posture after I incriminate myself. “I mean… uhhh, it’s just been hectic at Benson Farmstead. Still settling into the job. It’s a… um, process. No big deal.” The reflex to thump my forehead on the table has me curling inward.

Mama June grins wider when I stomp directly into her trap. “Not getting along with your new boss? Such a shame.”

Sweat prickles my scalp. “That’s putting it mildly.”

Brody is a storm system, arriving just in time to rain on my parade. Little does he realize that I always pack an umbrella. I’ll be the one shining bright after the downpour quits.

A disturbing sigh breezes from my mom, as if she’s sweeping my victory speech under the rug. “Maybe you’ve finally met your match.” That statement has a very different meaning coming from her.

“Not even close,” I scoff. “We barely tolerate each other. He’s constantly on my case no matter what I do.”

“That’s strange. I’ve only ever known Brody to be mild mannered.”

“He’s the opposite with me.”

Her focus studies me like a textbook. “I see.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Maybe there’s a reason you bring out such a… passionate side of him.”

I shudder. Mama talking about passion isn’t on my bingo card. “Please stop.”

“You could do worse. He’s the most eligible bachelor in the Midwest.”

My eye roll deserves an Academy Award. “Depends who you ask.”

“Well, the entire town will soon be rooting for you to do the honors of branding him. It’s about time he gets snatched off the market.”

A sour taste bubbles up my throat. “Very funny. Who delegated that courageous task to me?”

“You did.”

“Me?”

“Yes, dear. There’s a distinct buzz in the air. You haven’t been very discreet.” She motions to the crowd of traffic that’s created a bottleneck near the tent I’m using for shade.

My gaze scans the people who are digesting the juicy gossip I just plopped at their feet. Some are already disbursing to spread the news wider. A pit forms in my belly when I spot an unfortunate sight.

Lynn Ellen Paige is among those sticking around in case I divulge more tasty tidbits. The busybody needs threefirst names to get recognized in this town. To add flies on the manure pile, she wiggles her fingers at me. That gesture reveals my downfall. She’s seconds away from ruining me.

How could I be so careless? As Bianca’s best friend, I know better than to blab openly about private drama. The Benson name is revered. They’re local celebrities. Cloverleaf Meadows was built around the livestock empire their ancestors created. Rumors about them, regardless of facts or believability, get broadcasted across the state. I only have myself to blame for providing this breaking news report.

When Brody catches wind of this, I’ll need earplugs to block his tirade. I can already predict the rant that will nail me to the barn wall.

Frustration slips from me in a low groan. “Ohhhh, brother.”

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