Page 50 of More Than a Little Spark

He drops the tailgate, revealing blankets and throw pillows.“There is no rain in the forecast.”

I inch up on my toes.“But there is a one-hundred percent chance of kissing.”

Chapter21

Carson

Carson

I’m loading hay onto the trailer when Mason slips into the barn.“Hey there.What are you and Fred up to this afternoon?”

He sighs and crosses his arms.“I think I made Fred mad, and he doesn’t really want to hang out much anymore.”He hoists a bale onto the trailer.“Want help feeding the cows?”

“Sure.Now tell me why you think Fred is mad at you.”I drop the last bale on the trailer.“The cows can wait a few minutes for their food.”

“About three weeks ago when you and Daphne went on a date, Fred came over but was being really mopey, like he wasn’t happy.I thought he was upset that you went on a date.I still think that.”He puts a hand up.“I’m not upset about that.I like Miss Daphne.She’s great.”

“Just tell me what happened.”

“I told Fred that I knew what it was like to lose a mom.He wasn’t the only person it happened to, and I also told him he wasn’t being fair to Daphne because he wasn’t really giving her a chance.After that, he’s hardly been talking to me.”

Fred has been quiet, but because I’m working when he gets home from school, I hadn’t noticed he wasn’t hanging out with Mason.I’m surprised Kent or Poppy didn’t say something.“I didn’t know he was still upset.”

Mason shrugs.“He never said that exactly.”

“What did he say after you talked to him?”

Mason pulls a straw of hay out of a bale.“He said I was little when my mom died so I wouldn’t understand.And he told me to mind my own business.I’m sorry I said anything to him.He’ll probably be doubly mad when he finds out I talked to you.”

“I’m glad you did.”I yank off my gloves and shove them in my back pocket.“You going to ride on the trailer or in the cab?”

“Trailer.Where are the wire cutters?”

I hand them over, then climb into the tractor.

This conversation sheds a lot of light on recent events.Since school started, Fred has had his homework finished by the time I’m done working.He gets to it as soon as he gets off the bus.Last year, I had to nudge and remind him to do homework.And I feel stupid for not seeing that he doesn’t like Daphne.I thought he’d come around.

In moments like these, anger toward my sister bubbles up.And then the anger shifts to my mom.But I’m not blameless.I’ve been so wrapped up in my feelings for Daphne, I didn’t notice that Fred was hurting.That changes today.I’ll do whatever is needed to make sure he enjoys the childhood I didn’t get.

Mason saves me time by tossing hay while I drive the tractor.He’s a kindhearted young man.And I know he cares about Fred.

When we get back to the barn, he hops out of the trailer.

“Thanks for helping.”

“No problem.I should head to dinner so my mom doesn’t wonder where I am.”

“I’ll see you over there.”I get into the truck and drive to the house to get Fred.I expect he has all his homework done and is ready for dinner.

Later that night,I call Fred out of his room.“Want some dessert?Ava sent over some lemon bars.”

“Okay.”He drops into a chair.“What do you want to talk about?”

“Am I that obvious?”

He flashes a half smile.“Kinda.”

“You seem unhappy.And I’m worried about you.I haven’t seen you hanging out with Mason, and you spend lots of time in your room.”

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