Page 21 of Come Back for Me
Who ate the cow pie because it would make a person stronger than Popeye? Me.
Who took the blame for breaking Mom’s figurine because no one would punish the baby of the brothers? Me.
And did I get punished? Yup.
“I have three older brothers. Declan, Jacob, and Sean.”
“Whoa. Are they here now? Are they as big as you? Can I meet them?”
I laugh at the awe in her voice. “Nope, they all went back to their homes while I stay here to work on the farm.”
Her head tilts to the side. “That’s sad. You’re going to be all alone.”
“I like being alone. Speaking of . . . what are you doing here? Do your parents know where you are?”
“Mommy told me to go outside and play, so I came here.”
Makes zero sense, but who am I to argue with a kid. “To play?”
“I wanted to climb the tree, but I promised no more climbing until my arm is better.”
“Did you see the doctor?”
Hadley nods excitedly. “I did. It’s just bruised and I’m supposed to wear this thing on my shoulder, but I don’t like it so I take it off when Mommy isn’t looking.”
I snort. “Sounds like something I would do. But you really should do what your mom says.”
“Promise not to tell?”
I lift my hand with my two fingers up in a peace sign. “Scouts honor.”
Not that I was a scout or anything close. Hell, I’m pretty sure that isn’t even the way it should look.
Hadley moves over to where I’m standing, looking at the pile of wood that is off to the side. “Are you tearing the barn down?”
“No, I’m fixing it. I’m going to take down the damaged pieces before putting all new boards up.”
“Can I watch?”
Uh. I’m not really sure what the protocol is on this. She’s a seven-year-old kid who I only ever met because she was injured in my tree. “I’m not sure your parents would like that.”
She shrugs. “Daddy doesn’t care as long as I’m out of his way.”
“What about your mom?”
Hadley purses her lips and kicks the dirt. “Maybeyoucan ask her.”
Yeah, not a shot in hell. That would not help with my whole plan to avoid Ellie.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“But we’re friends,” she retorts.
“We are . . .” I really don’t know how to extract myself from this one. “But I have to work a lot and don’t have time to go over right now.”
“Please, Connor. I have no friends other than you, and IpromiseI won’t be a pain. Plus, what happens if you get hurt? Who will call for help ifyoufall?”
Hadley crosses her arms over her chest, giving me the cutest lip pout ever. Jesus, I know why grown men are unable to say no to their daughters.
