Page 12 of Buck Wild Orc Cowboy
“Who might this be?” Grannie Lil had found Max, who’d slumped in his chair with his legs outstretched and held his book in front of his face.
“My son, Max.” I rounded the display case to join them. Or intervene if she started matching him up.
“A son,” Grannie cried out. “A son, Inla! Get out here so we can be introduced to him.”
Max lowered his book onto the table and shot me a look full of panic, though not the true kind he'd show when he spoke of his father. More the look a man got when he knew a couple of women were about to toss him onto the grill and hold him down until he’d been scorched on both sides.
“He's reading,” I said as Inla rushed from the kitchen and over to him. Sighing, I made the introductions. Max nodded politely to them both, his cheeks a touch pink.
“Tall,” Inla said, looking him up and down.
“Handsome,” Grannie chimed in. “It's very nice to meet you, young man.”
Max's jaw dropped, but I could see he was as pleased as he was surprised. At twelve, he wasn't fully grown, but he was no longer a child. People still tended to ignore him rather than include him in conversation.
“What year are you in school, Max?” Lil asked. “Though it's summer, so I guess I'm curious about what year in school you'll be in this fall.”
“Um… Seventh grade,” Max said.
My voice croaked with pride. “He's in an accelerated program.” Or he was. I wasn't sure where he'd go to school now, though I needed to figure that out. Assuming we stayed in Lonesome Creek long enough for him to start in the fall. I alsoneeded to find a library, because he’d finish the few books he’d brought with him and would need more.
“Do you like it here?” Inla asked as Sel joined us, giving me a sheepish look.
Max nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good. You'll find we're a warm group. Eager to bring in new blood.” Her gaze fell on me.
Sel leaned toward me, speaking in a low voice. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Just…they’re a lot.”
“They are. But they mean well.”
Grannie Lil pressed a five-dollar bill into Max’s palm. “For you. Buy yourself a pizza.”
Five wouldn’t buy much of a pizza, but it was sweet of her to give him anything.
But it also wasn’t appropriate. “I?—”
Grannie Lil laid a kind hand on my arm. “Let me indulge the boy. Please? We don’t see many younglings here in these parts.”
“I guess… I guess it would be alright.” I gave Max a look.
“Thank you, ma’am,” he promptly said.
“Anytime, son. Anytime.” She turned and caned over to the counter, looking over the items on display.
I hurried behind the counter and filled a bag with everything she pointed to.
“I can’t resist buying and then eating everything inside this bakery,” she said. “Sel’s also a good cook.” The wink she gave me was anything but subtle.
I gave her a wan smile in return.
Aunt Inla paid for her dartling cake slices and the two took their paper bags in hand and shuffled toward the door.
On their way out, Grannie Lil patted Max’s arm. “We’ll be back tomorrow. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
Then they were gone, and I wasn’t sure if I was more exhausted or relieved.
