Page 101 of Lead Me Knot

“Fine.” He rolls his eyes. “I’ll finish it.”

It took three days, but Christine held a ribbon cutting for the big day. Tagger says, “It’s impressive, guys.” Patting Beckett’s back, he asks, “Did your uncle help at all?”

Beckett eyes Baylor and grins. “He helped some.”

We laugh. All of us have been out here at different times to watch and help. I pat Baylor’s shoulder. “You did good.”

Leaving the boys to play, we walk back with Chris and Tagger. He’s carrying Daisy on his shoulders while Christine holds the baby strapped to her chest. Walking beside her, I ask, “Getting any sleep these days?”

“Some.” She rubs the baby’s back over the padded carrier. “It’s good to have my brother back for an extended time.”

I glance over at him and Tagger a few feet behind us. “Yeah, he’s grown on me.”

“I can tell by how much you two are hanging out lately.”

This time, I keep my eyes aimed ahead as we reach the field from the woods. “Not much else to do in this town.”

“So might as well do each other.” She bursts out laughing.

I don’t knowwhether to laugh or fess up. “Did you really just say that?”

She’s still laughing when she replies, “I get it. There aren’t many people to hang around with our age.” When we reach the steps of her front porch, she stops. “We’re having a summer soiree kind of dinner on Friday night.”

“Fancy.”

Holding the railing, she plants a foot on the bottom step. “Not that fancy and very last minute. I thought it would be a nice time to wear a pretty dress. I’ll take Daisy to pick flowers we can put in our hair. Candles on the table with wildflower bouquets. The guys can clean up and look presentable again. We can invite your mom out as well. Just a big family kind of get-together.”

I can already visualize it. Her front porch with a long table, cloth tails flowing in the breeze and candles lining the length of the table. So romantic. “Sounds beautiful. What can I bring?”

“Dessert as usual, if you don’t mind. Maybe some that you have left at the end of the day. We’ll be happy to take them off your hands so they don’t go to waste.”

“Friday is cheddar biscuit day, too.”

Pointing a finger at me, she narrows her eyes in warning. “Don’t show up without my favorite food in the world.”

I laugh. “I would never.”

“It’s settled. How’s seven thirty? It’s really too hot before then.”

Five o’clock in the evening really is unbearable. Using my hand, I fan myself as drips of sweat roll down my back. “That works for me. I’ll invite Mom.”

“No worries. I’ll send her a text with the details.” She starts up the steps. “I’m going in before Julie Ann and I get overheated. Is Baylor giving you a ride home, or do you need Tagger to?”

“I’m sure Baylor will be happy to.” In fact, I know he’ll be happy to give me a ride. I keep that gem to myself because she and the baby don’t need to hear my naughty thoughts on her brother. “See you Friday.” I turn to the guys, who seem to be deep in conversation, and hold out my hands. “I’ll wait in the truck. Keys?”

Baylor tosses me the key fob.

Just as I get in the truck and close the door, I punch the button and turn up the air-conditioning full blast on my face. The other door opens, and Beckett climbs in. “Hey there, where are you boys going?” Through the windshield, I spot his friend running inside the house.

“Macon’s getting us lemonade, so I thought I’d wait with you.”Unexpected.

I sit back, glancing at Baylor through the windshield as I try to cool off. “It’s hot.”

“Yeah.” He turns to me and says, “I’ve kept your secret like my uncle asked me to.”

I still feel like I’ve been exposed somehow, but it’s him, and I know his heart is gold. He’s also only nine. What’s he going to do, extort us for a new video game to keep it a little longer? Maybe I’ll just buy him one as a thank-you gift. “We both appreciate it very much. I know it’s a big one to keep.” We had decided to let the baby own the limelight like she deserves. It felt like it would be odd to be celebrating her birth and then instantly steal the attention away. It’s been a few weeks, though, so I do think it’s okay to share the news soon. I’ve been dying to, and the cloak-and-dagger sneaking around and pretending we’re only friends is tiring.

He says, “You know you’re Uncle Baylor’s secret ingredient? That’s what he told me.”

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