Page 115 of Scrape the Barrel
“You’re his light at the end of the tunnel, Sage. You and Avery. I didn’t think he’d ever let his feelings show for anyone, but then he found you. Don’t be like me and push that person away because the timeline doesn’t line up. Life is never going to be perfect enough to let someone in. You have to work to make it happen.”
It wasn’t that I was pushing him away, especially now. But I understood what she was telling me. Callan wasn’t someone I’d ever take for granted, and I quickly figured that out shortly after we met.
“I won’t,” I promised her. Lettie looked out for her brothers like they looked out for her, and I loved that about the Bronsons. Not many families were as close as they were, and it filled my heart thinking one day, Avery and I might be a part of that.
Some days, it felt like wealready were.
Lettie and I watched in silence as they made their way to the end of the street, then circled back. The entire time, Avery had the biggest smile on her face, and halfway back to us, Callan leaned over to place his hat on her head. She beamed up at him, the hat clearly way too big for her with the way it bobbed.
Things were so perfect right now, regardless of what was going on in the background.
All my mind could focus on was those two and the way they completed me.
We were happy.
36
Callan
Reed and our dad worked to get everything packed and loaded up so they could head back to the ranch with the horses. Most of the crowd had dispersed, heading over to the fair right behind all the buildings. The short walk was convenient, which was why they always did the same events in the same town each year.
Avery had helped my dad with his side of things, her little hand always moving to adjust my hat on her head. I’d have to get her one of her own if she wanted to be a cowgirl, but for the time being, mine would suffice.
“Did you have fun?” Sage asked, finding me in the cluster of people.
“Not as much fun as Avery,” I replied. “Did you?”
She nodded as she slipped her hands into the pockets of her sundress. “You looked very cute up there.”
Heat rose in my cheeks. “I did, did I?”
Another nod. “Bit distracting, if you ask me.”
My arm snaked around her, bringing her close. “Is that so?”
Our noses were almost touching now as she fought a smile.
“Do you not like when I distract you?” I teased. Little did she know, she distracted me from any anxious thoughts that might’ve crept their way into my mind before. With Sage, I felt somewhat unstoppable.
“Depends how you’re doing it.”
“Mama!” Avery said, skipping over to us with a hand on my hat, holding it in place.
Sage didn’t move away as she looked down at Avery.
“You looked so good out there!” Sage exclaimed.
Avery’s little feet jumped up and down in place. “It was so much fun! Can I go on rides now?”
Before Sage could reply, my mom came up beside Avery. “Why don’t I take her on some?”
“Are you sure?” Sage asked.
My mom nodded, then looked at Avery. “Can’t go on any rides with Callan’s big ol’ hat like that.”
As if it dawned on Avery that the hat was too big, she took it off, handing it back to me.
“I want a hat,” she said with a small pout as I took it.
